Dr. Beck Honored as Outstanding STEM Educator

Dr. Sylven Beck, Associate Professor of Curriculum and Pedagogy, was named the 2026 Outstanding STEM Educator by the Maryland Science Center. The Outstanding STEM Educator award is presented to an educator or organization supporting the Maryland Science Center as it fulfills its mission to inspire, empower, and engage students in informal STEM education.

For over 30 years, graduate students in Dr. Beck’s STEM Teaching Methods class have participated in Maryland Science Center workshops highlighting informal STEM teaching. These experiences enrich the value of field trips as the students prepare to become classroom teachers. Over 300 future teachers, many working in school systems across the region, have benefitted from Dr. Beck’s encouraging guidance and connection to informal STEM experiences.

“The mission of the Maryland Science Center is to encourage and support the process and joy of the scientific process,” said Mark J. Potter, President and CEO of the Maryland Science Center. “Dr. Beck exemplifies that goal as she creates learning opportunities for young professionals, educators, and students. We are honored to shine a light on her success.”