NMEA Awards
NMEA offers awards in six categories, plus honorary membership. To nominate an individual or organization for any of these awards, complete and submit the award specific nomination form and all required materials. Please review the forms and instructions carefully and prepare and assemble ALL information and documents in advance so that the application can be completed easily.
Nominations are accepted throughout the year but must be received before February 15 to be considered for the current award year.
Past award winners are listed on our history page.
GENERAL NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS & PROCESS
All nominations must include the following in order to be considered:
Complete and submit the appropriate award form linked in the category description below.
All forms must include: the contact information for both the nominator and nominee; a brief responses to award specific question (see specific awards for more information); and a summary statement describing why the individual or organization is a good candidate for the award (250 word max; if your nominee is selected, this statement will be used for the award presentation, announcements, and press releases). If you are self-nominating, please complete both the nominator and nominee sections of the form.
Submit at least 1, and up to 3, photos of the nominee (.png or .jpg files only)
Submit at least 1, and up to 3, letters of support/recommendation for the nominee from colleagues, partners, students or supervisors (.doc, .docx or .pdf files only)
Submit up to 3 optional supporting documents that help address award criteria (see award specific examples) (.doc, .docx or .pdf files only).
All uploaded files should be named as follows: begin with nominee's name, followed by an indication of the contents (ex: JaneDoeLetterofRecommendation.doc).
The completed nomination form and all supporting files must be submitted by the February 15 deadline to be considered.
All awards will be announced and presented at the annual NMEA conference. Conference attendance is not required, but strongly encouraged.
Johnette D. Bosarge Memorial Award
Johnette Bosarge
The Johnette D. Bosarge Memorial Award, was created in loving memory of Johnette D. Bosarge, who served as our administrative assistant from 1999-2013, and recognizes an individual’s service and dedication to NMEA or the local chapter; loyalty, efficiency, and enthusiasm for marine and aquatic education; and earned respect from their peers.
The awardee will receive a $500 monetary award, a sea star sculpture and a one-year professional membership. The awardee is highly encouraged to attend the NMEA Conference to accept the award.
Eligibility: Nominees must be a member in good standing of NMEA AND one of its chapters, and a current or retired professional educator in a formal or informal setting.
Award Considerations: Nominees must have a record of service and dedication to NMEA or the local chapter; exhibit loyalty, efficiency, and enthusiasm for marine and aquatic education; and consistently earn the respect of his or her peers. Nominees will be assessed in the following areas:
Record of Service and dedication to NMEA or Local Chapter
Exhibit loyalty, efficiency and enthusiasm for marine and aquatic education
Consistently earn the respect of their peers
Nomination Requirements: See General Nomination Requirements & Process above.
Supporting documents: None needed. Submission of maximum (3) letters of support/recommendation are encouraged.
James Centorino Award
James Centorino (photo credit: Salem State Archives)
The James Centorino Award recognizes distinguished performance in marine education at a regional and/or national level and dedication to marine issues over a career.
This award was named in the memory of Jim Centorino, an inspirational and passionate marine educator who taught at Salem State College, co-founded the Massachusetts Marine Educators and later the National Marine Education Association. In the mid 80s Jim died from cancer. He continues to be remembered by students and colleagues. Through this award, we at NMEA continue to remember his contributions to marine education.
The awardee will receive a glass sculpture and a one-year professional membership. The awardee is highly encouraged to attend the NMEA Conference to accept the award.
Eligibility: Nominees must be NMEA members in good standing. Open to formal and informal educators..
Award Considerations: Nominees must have demonstrated a dedication to marine issues and outstanding work and leadership in any aspect of marine education at the local, regional, or national level over the course of a career. Nominees will be assessed in the following areas:
Positive Marine Environment Impact
Creativity and/or Innovation
Integration of Marine Science with other actions
Active participation in NMEA
Nomination Requirements: See General Nomination Requirements & Process above.
Supporting documents: Up to three (3) supporting documents can be submitted with the nomination. These can include examples of major contributions, such as outstanding leadership, program development, and participation in marine education organizations, such as a curriculum vitae, abstracts of publications or educational resources authored by the nominee, news articles about the nominee's projects or programs.
Outstanding Teacher Award
The NMEA Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes effective and innovative classroom teaching at any level.
The awardee will receive a glass sculpture and a one-year professional membership. The awardee is highly encouraged to attend the NMEA Conference to accept the award.
Eligibility: Nominees must be NMEA members in good standing and a certified formal classroom teacher.
Award Considerations: Nominee demonstrated innovation in introducing marine science into materials, classroom activities, and/or topics. Nominees will be assessed in the following areas:
Positive Classroom Environment
Creativity and/or Innovation in lessons
Integration of Marine Science with other subject areas
Nomination Requirements: See General Nomination Requirements & Process above.
Supporting documents: Up to three (3) supporting documents can be submitted with the nomination. These can include examples of the nominee’s classroom environment, innovative materials and activities used and/or developed, integration of marine topics into various subject areas, and evidence of successful performance by the nominee’s students, such as abstracts of publications or educational resources authored by the nominee, news articles about the nominee's projects or programs.
Marine Education Award
The NMEA Marine Education Award recognizes distinguished performance in marine education at the local, regional, or national level by professionals who are not classroom teachers.
The awardee will receive a glass sculpture and a one-year professional membership. The awardee is highly encouraged to attend the NMEA Conference to accept the award.
Eligibility: Nominees must be NMEA members in good standing and an informal educator..
Award Considerations: Nominees should have documented contributions to the furthering of marine science through education programs, legislation, and/or leadership. Nominees will be assessed in the following areas:
Leadership in advancing marine science initiatives
Creativity and/or Innovation in introducing marine science into materials, activities, and/or projects/programs
Scale of impact
Nomination Requirements: See General Nomination Requirements & Process above.
Supporting documents: Up to three (3) supporting documents can be submitted with the nomination. These can include examples of the nominee’s contributions to the furthering of marine science through education programs, legislation, and/or leadership, such as abstracts of publications or educational resources authored by the nominee, news articles about the nominee's projects or programs.
Marine Education Award - Outstanding Organization
The NMEA Marine Education—Outstanding Organization Award recognizes outstanding work and leadership by an organization in any aspect of marine education at the local, regional, or national level.
The awardee will receive a glass sculpture and a one-year organizational membership. The awardee is highly encouraged to attend the NMEA Conference to accept the award.
Eligibility: Institution, Organization, Institution, or Business. NMEA membership is NOT required.
Award Considerations: The organization demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting marine education through actions and/or financial commitments. Actions may include supporting marine education groups, offering conferences, developing and/or delivering marine-based educational activities and workshops, and promoting initiatives such as beach cleanups. Nominees will be assessed in the following areas:
Leadership in advancing marine science initiatives
Variety of methods of marine/aquatic support
Scale of impact
Nomination Requirements: See General Nomination Requirements & Process above.
Supporting documents: Up to three (3) supporting documents can be submitted with the nomination. These can include examples of the organization's accomplishments in marine education, national and/or regional impact, leadership, programs, etc., such as abstracts of publications or educational resources authored by the nominee, news articles about the nominee's projects or programs.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN MARINE CONSERVATION
The NMEA Youth Leadership in Marine Conservation Award recognizes an individual, 18 and under, or a youth group who has demonstrated passion for protecting marine environments, educated the public about the importance of the marine environment, or advocated for the conservation and protection of marine environments and/or individual marine species.
The awardee will receive a glass sculpture and a one-year professional membership. The awardee is highly encouraged to attend the NMEA Conference to accept the award.
Eligibility: Nominees are not required to be NMEA members. Individual nominees must not be older than 18 at time of nomination. The majority of the membership of a Youth Group nominees must not be older than 18 at time of nomination.
Award Considerations: Nominees demonstrate a connection to the marine environment through organizing events, leading actions and/or their peers in ways that protect and/or promote the marine environment. Nominees will be assessed in the following areas:
Individual actions promoting marine preservation
Organize groups that promote marine preservation
Develop projects that have long-term impact on marine preservation.
Nomination Requirements: See General Nomination Requirements & Process above.
Supporting documents: Up to three (3) supporting documents can be submitted with the nomination. These can include examples of the nominee’s contributions to the furthering of marine science and conservation through education, research, advocacy, and/or community leadership, such as news articles or information about the nominee's projects or programs.
Honorary Membership Award
Honorary Membership shall be the highest recognition that the Association can offer. To be eligible for such recognition, a person shall have demonstrated a distinguished career in teaching, research, or service in marine education.
The awardee will receive a glass sculpture and a Life membership. The awardee is highly encouraged to attend the NMEA Conference to accept the award.
Eligibility: Current or previous membership in NMEA is required. Participation in NMEA is an important consideration.
Award Considerations: To honor any marine educator who has demonstrated leadership through their work in marine education.
Nomination Requirements: See General Nomination Requirements & Process above. Please note that this nomination requires three (3) letters of support/recommendation from professional members of the association.
Supporting documents: Up to three (3) supporting documents can be submitted with the nomination. These can include examples of the nominee’s career accomplishments in marine education, national and/or regional impact, leadership, programs, etc., such as a curriculum vitae, abstracts of publications or educational resources authored by the nominee, news articles about the nominee's projects or programs.