Afton Elementary Named 2025 National Elementary School of the Year by the NEED Project

Pennsbury School District is proud to announce that Afton Elementary School has been named the 2025 National Elementary School of the Year by the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project! This prestigious honor also includes recognition as Pennsylvania’s Elementary School of the Year.

Earlier this spring, Mrs. Kristin Slota and her students submitted a comprehensive presentation to NEED, highlighting energy-focused work across K–5 SPARK (STEM) classes, the after-school Young Environmentalist Program (YEP), the 2025 K’NEX Design Challenge teams, and several district-wide energy initiatives. Check out this link to see the 2025 submission: https://youthawards.need.org/winner/afton-elementary-project-energy/

As a result of this outstanding achievement, students who participated in at least one YEP session or served on the HydroPower Company K’NEX Design Challenge Team during the 2024–2025 school year were invited to attend the 45th Annual NEED Youth Energy Conference and Awards, held June 27–30, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, Afton Elementary received a $4,000 grant to help offset travel and registration costs for eligible students and staff. Each participating student received funding support to attend this memorable event.

During their time in D.C., students:

• Sang energy-themed songs and participated in team-building challenges
  
  

• Traded state souvenirs with students from across the country
  
  

• Designed wind-powered vehicles in a STEM engineering challenge
  
  

• Enjoyed a guided trolley tour of national monuments
  
  

• Dined aboard a scenic Potomac River Cruise
  
  

• Attended a formal awards ceremony and received a private tour of the U.S. Capitol, coordinated through Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s office
  
  

The NEED Project is a national nonprofit supporting K–12 educators with free energy curriculum and resources. Visit www.need.org/educators to explore lesson plans, student projects, and upcoming workshops.

Think your school could be next?
Submissions for the 2026 NEED Youth Awards are due April 15, 2026. For more information or support, contact Mrs. Kristin Slota.

kslota@nmlsta.org

https://youthawards.need.org/about-the-need-youth-awards/

Dave Curry earns AGI's Roy Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching!https://www.americangeosciences.org/news/press-releases/2025-march-roy-award-winner/

Diana Allen is awarded a Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching!

https://www.sanford.org/article/1977727

Board member David Amidon wins the Ecology/Environmental Science Teaching Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers award!

https://nabt.org/Awards-2024-Award-Winners 

Florida's Clay County teacher of the year is Amanda Watson!

Clay County Teacher of the Year!

Congratulations NMLSTA member Barbara Rebeor, Lee County Teacher of the Year !

https://www.nbc-2.com/article/school-district-lee-county-honors-teacher-of-the-year/63230302

NMLSTA member and most-recent Hurd Award winner, Rachel Arbor, had research she published in September featured as #4 in Edutopia's The 10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2024!  The research explored the impact of interdisciplinary environmental education (specifically nature journaling) on student well-being. The results indicated this type of learning experience supports middle school students in stress reduction, mood improvement, and increased connection to self, others, and nature. These results relate to Gaia Scholastic, the organization she founded and have entirely shaped the curricula they develop. 

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/scotch-plains-slash-fanwood/sections/education/articles/scotch-plains-teacher-wins-the-oscar-of-teaching-and-25-000

Newton Middle School educator named Outstanding Earth Science Educator

https://www.buckscountyherald.com/community/education/newtown-middle-school-educator-named-outstanding-earth-science-educator/article_02d91fd8-8fd8-11ef-b5af-a31e5bafc6b8.html

Kristin Slota is the 2023 Bob Thompson Excellence in Energy Award recipient! She has won $1,000 and an all expenses paid trip to attend the National Energy Conference for Educators this July in Austin, TX. Congratulations Kristin, well deserved!