How to Make Science Awards More Meaningful Than Just a Certificate

Let’s be honest—being a secondary science teacher means wearing a lot of hats. We’re not just teaching content; we’re nurturing curiosity, encouraging problem-solving, and helping students discover their place in a complex world. That’s why it’s so important to take a step back and recognize our students—not just for their grades, but for their growth, effort, and personalities.

And what better way to do that than with thoughtful, creative, and customizable science awards?

Celebrating Every Student

In every classroom, there are students who shine in different ways. Some are natural leaders in the lab, while others bring humor, curiosity, kindness, or persistence. These science awards were designed with all of them in mind. With 70 unique options, you’ll find something for everyone—from your future engineers and deep thinkers to the ones who ask the best “what if…” questions.

Giving awards is more than just a fun way to wrap up a unit or a school year. It’s a chance to:

Build student confidence
Reinforce positive behaviors and attitudes
Create a classroom culture of encouragement
Show students that their unique qualities are seen and valued

What Makes These Science Awards Special?

This resource includes 70 creative and customizable awards, each with two versions: print-ready or editable templates. Whether you want to handwrite each one with personal notes or quickly type in student names and inside jokes, you’ve got options.

Each award features:

A fun and thoughtful title
A brief description
A playful or meaningful illustration
Two formats: PDF or PNG for quick printing, or editable in Canva

With 70 awards to choose from, there’s something for every student you’ll ever teach. These aren’t limited to just one grade level or skill set—they’re designed for all personalities, learning styles, and classroom roles.

Some favorites from the set include:

DNA Detective – For crushing genetics and asking all the right questions
Mad Scientist Award – For the student who always goes above and beyond with experiments
Future Meteorologist Award – For the one who always knows the forecast (or thinks they do)
Lab Legend – For excellent lab safety, teamwork, and scientific method mastery
Einstein Energy Award – For always asking deep questions and going above and beyond

Okay, So You Downloaded Your Awards… What’s Next?

You’ve got your resource—now let’s get them into your students’ hands in a way that makes them feel special and seen.

Here’s how to make it memorable:

Customize the editable templates to include student names, personal touches, or even inside jokes.
Print them on colorful paper or cardstock for a polished look—or send them digitally if you’re short on time.
Present them during a class celebration, slideshow, or one-on-one during final review week.
Share the moment with families! And if crafting the perfect message to families feels overwhelming, I’ve got you covered with my Parent Communication Email Templates for Teachers. With 30+ editable templates, including messages for celebrating student progress, recognizing positive behavior, and more—you’ll always have the right words ready to go.

Here are a couple of sample emails you could copy, paste, tweak and send:

Sample Emails to Send to Parents

Version 1

Subject Line: Your Child Was Recognized in Science Class! ?

Email Body:
Hi [Parent Name],

As we wrap up the school year, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the unique strengths your child has brought to our science classroom. Each student received a personalized award, and [Student Name] was honored with the “[Award Title]” award.

This award highlights [brief explanation of the award’s meaning or what the student did to earn it], and it was such a joy to recognize their contributions in this way.

Thank you for all your support this year!

Warmly,
[Your Name]

Version 2

Subject: A Special Science Award for Your Student! ??

Hi [Parent/Guardian Name],

I wanted to take a moment to celebrate [Student’s Name] for their contributions in science class this semester! They recently received a personalized science award that highlights something truly special about them—and I wanted to make sure you saw it too.

[Student’s Name] was recognized for the “[Award Title]” award. Their curiosity, hard work, and positive attitude have made a big impact on our classroom community.

Feel free to ask them about it—I hope it sparks a proud moment at home! Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.

Warmly,
[Your Name]

Pro Tip: Not sure what to say when reaching out to families? Check out these helpful reads for building strong, respectful connections:
11 Ways To De-escalate Angry Parents During Parent-Teacher Conferences
The Power of Parent Communication: Starting Strong from Day One!
Both offer practical strategies you can use all year.

A Moment That Matters

Here’s the thing: students might forget a lot of what we teach (ouch, I know), but they’ll never forget how we made them feel. That’s why these science awards aren’t just about handing out papers—they’re about creating real, heartwarming, “I see you” moments.

Maybe it’s a student who struggled all semester but kept showing up and trying. Maybe it’s the quiet kid who always had the most thoughtful observations during labs. Maybe it’s the one who made everyone laugh when the beaker boiled over. They all deserve to be celebrated—not just for what they did, but for who they are.

And when you take the time to recognize them, something amazing happens. I’ve had students say things like,