Excellence in Education Awards

"Children must be taught how to think, not what to think." - Margaret Mead

Knowledge, learning, and education are part of a continuum—passed from generation to generation—creating opportunities for lifelong exchanges between teaching and learning. Through this sharing, there is also an opportunity to connect people to the array of history and landscapes the National Park Service stewards. Education has the power to raise people up, make meaningful connections, innovate in the face of challenging problems, and to illuminate long-lasting solutions.

National parks are some of America’s most inspiring classrooms. National Park Service rangers and education specialists provide special in-person and virtual programs for thousands of students and educators every year. The Excellence in Education Awards were established in 2022 to specifically recognize expertise within the field of National Park Service education. These awards recognize innovation and adaptation within education program planning, development, and implementation.