Put-in-Bay Teacher Melissa Kowalski Earns National Science Teaching Award
A Put-in-Bay teacher is being recognized on a national level.
Melissa Kowalski, a middle and high school science teacher at Put-in-Bay School, has been named a 2026 recipient of the Shell Science Teaching Award, presented by the National Science Teaching Association.
The award honors outstanding K–12 science teachers across the country for their impact in the classroom and their communities.
This isn’t the first time Kowalski has been recognized for her work. In 2025, she received the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators, another national honor highlighting her approach to hands-on science learning.
Kowalski, known to many on the island as Missi, shared the news earlier this month following the awards reception.
“This is an unbelievable honor and I can’t thank my students and the community enough for supporting me in this endeavor.”
The selection process included a written application, classroom video submissions, and an on-site evaluation, during which judges traveled to Put-in-Bay to observe her teaching firsthand.
Her classroom stands out for how it incorporates the island itself into learning.
Students regularly take part in hands-on science experiences using local resources, from Lake Erie to nearby nature preserves. According to award materials, that includes real-world data collection and opportunities to work alongside researchers.
Following the ceremony, Kowalski reflected on the experience:
“Tonight was such a fun evening and I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.”
The Shell Science Teaching Award, sponsored by Shell USA, includes a $10,000 prize and national recognition at the NSTA conference.
For Put-in-Bay, the recognition highlights both the work happening inside the classroom and the unique learning environment available to students on the island.
