Wade Hampton High Teacher Wins 2020 AIAA Educator Achievement Award
Beth Meade Leavitt, a science and engineering teacher at Wade Hampton High School, has been awarded an Educator Achievement Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s largest technical society for aerospace professionals.
Leavitt, a teacher for 20 years, is receiving the award “for believing that with the right tools and mentors all students can become STEM literate with the confidence they can solve any problem
encountered.”
Leavitt has earned previous recognition as the Air Force Association National Aerospace STEM Teacher of the Year and Space Educator of the Year by the National Science Club. She is director of the WHHS FIRST Robotics Team 283 and has participated in NASA Workshops with top scientists. As a finalist to become an Educator Astronaut, Leavitt is one of 194 teachers who comprise the Network of Educator Astronaut Teachers.
AIAA recognizes teachers who promote active learning and successfully encourage students to think imaginatively, critically, and independently. AIAA also encourages teachers to join the Institute for free as Educator Associates. AIAA offers K-12 teacher resources, including aerospace micro-lessons.
Other 2020 Educator Achievement Award winners include:
- Elizabeth L. Bero, Horizon Elementary School, Madison, Alabama
- Scott McComb, Raisbeck Aviation High School, Seattle, Washington
About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn
