2026 SMT Center Celebration

CARY, N.C. — The North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT Center) celebrated outstanding North Carolina educators, students, partners, and advocates in STEM education at its 2026 Awards Gala on April 25 at the Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham/RTP Hotel.

Through these awards, the SMT Center continues its mission to elevate and support excellence in STEM education with Strategies That Engage Minds®, which use hands-on, active learning environments to promote essential cognitive skills for the 21st century.

This annual celebration brought together educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community partners to honor individuals and organizations that are furthering STEM education across the state in K–12 classrooms, higher education, and informal learning environments.

2026 Recipients

Partnership Award

  • STEM East — For supporting educators and students in exploring career opportunities and building cross-sector collaborations that strengthen a future STEM workforce.

Student Leadership Award

  • Haashini Balasubramanian, Cox Mill High School, Cabarrus County Schools — for inspiring younger students and peers to pursue STEM passions through hands-on, engaging learning.

K-8 Outstanding Educator Award

  • Jennifer Brazee, Kannapolis Elementary School, Kannapolis City Schools — for dedication to creating exceptional STEM learning environments that promote critical thinking and creativity.

9-16 Outstanding Educator Award

  • Charles Newkirk, Welding Instructor, Pitt County Community College — for cultivating STEM classroom environments that inspire a sustained love of learning.

Outstanding Instructional Leader Award

  • Amy Philyaw, STEM and Grant Coordinator, Caldwell County Schools — for creating high-quality professional development opportunities that empower STEM educators..

Informal Educator Award

  • Matthew Faerber, Visual World Investigate Lab Coordinator, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences — for creating engaging STEM experiences that develop a passion for scientific discovery in all students.

Champion of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education

  • Fran Nolan, Retired Science Educator, Consultant — for building strong community connections that expand opportunities for students to engage in real-world STEM learning experiences..

Quote Worthy

“All of the people being honored are examples of what can be achieved with hard work, creative thinking, and the right kind of support. We hope that tonight’s event will inspire everyone to do even more to make STEM education in North Carolina the very best it can be.”

Dr. Sam Houston, President and CEO of the SMT Center.

“Teachers are the drivers of educating our society to promote democracy and good decisions. Never has their role been more important in the country, and for us it starts here with North Carolina public education. I see this as the area of greatest return on investment we have: our children and our futures.”

Dr. Lou Muglia, President and CEO of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

2026 Gala Program

2026 Photo Gallery

About the SMT Center

The N.C. Science, Mathematics, Technology (SMT) Center is a non-profit organization focused on improving education as a means of providing all students in North Carolina with the knowledge and skills to have successful careers, be good citizens, and advance the economy of the state. Serving as a broker, facilitator, and catalyst for innovation and change in education, the SMT Center celebrates educational excellence in North Carolina and beyond by supporting educators, engaging students, and advancing the growing importance of having a STEM-educated workforce.

The SMT Center also believes that STEM is more than Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It’s Strategies That Engage Minds through hands-on, active involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education that promotes essential cognitive skills for the 21st century.

The SMT Center is headquartered at the Burroughs Wellcome Fund in Research Triangle Park, NC. Burroughs Wellcome Fund serves as a key partner in the work of the SMT Center by providing financial support and collaborating on many STEM related-initiatives across the state.

2026 Videos