The Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE) is an annual awards program that recognizes extraordinary contributions by educators across the United States and Puerto Rico who are elevating the level of science literacy through creativity in the classroom, development of best practices, and motivation of students. An independent panel of judges selects the w inners based on the following criteria: creativity of teaching method; effectiveness in the classroom; motivational ability; instructional ability; and the plan for the use of grant money to improve science education resources in their schools.