Trailblazing STEM Educator Award Winners Celebrated at AIAA Awards Gala

Challenger Center and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) celebrated the five winners of the inaugural Trailblazing STEM Educator Award on April 27 at the 2022 AIAA Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. The evening celebrated the most influential and inspiring individuals in aerospace.

The 2022 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award recipients are (in order as seen in the photo):

• Jackie Blumer, Greenville Junior High School (Greenville, IL)
• Jennifer Cheesman, Zuni Hills Elementary (Sun City, AZ)
• Kellie Taylor, Hawthorne Elementary (Boise, ID)
• Cedric Turner, Brockton High School (Brockton, MA)
• Katrina Harden Williams, Ames Middle School (Ames, IA)

All five winners received $5,000 for themselves, $5,000 for their school, and selection from Challenger Center’s suite of hands-on, simulated learning experiences based on their classes’ needs.

Grand Prize Winner

Jackie Blumer was also announced as the grand prize winner of the award. In addition to the prizes mentioned, Jackie also received an invitation to join Club for the Future, Blue Origin’s nonprofit, at a future New Shepard launch.

Congratulations to Jackie and all of the 2022 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award winners!

For more details about the award and awardees, read Challenger Center and AIAA Announce Inaugural Winners of Trailblazing STEM Educator Award.