Last updated: August 5, 2026
Article
2026 Excellence in Education Award
Excellence in Education Award
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the profession of education that model excellence through thoughtful engagement of education principles, innovation, and adaptation.
NPS Photo
Karin Magera (National Park Service), Michael Zwelling (National Park Service), Ashley Lutz (Alexander Elementary School), Trevor Flood (Alexander Elementary School)
Pollinators to Pioneers, Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Pollinators to Pioneers introduced a longitudinal, multi-age learning model that moved beyond traditional single-visit programming. The model was co-developed by Saint Croix Island International Historic Site and Alexander Elementary School. It fostered sustained engagement by means of a tiered progression of classroom, field, and stewardship experiences. Younger students explored through guided discovery. Older students took on leadership roles, mentoring peers and sharing findings with their communities.
The program served approximately 4,000 students across 38 schools. It accomplished this through partnerships with Alexander Elementary School and other Washington County schools. The scaffolded design ensured continuity, measurable growth, and meaningful impact. It served as a replicable model for parks seeking to deepen youth engagement and encourage responsible stewardship.
Through hands-on work at Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, students witnessed the direct impact of their efforts. They established pollinator habitats. They contributed to ecological data. By engaging in real-world problem-solving, students developed skills to identify challenges, analyze data, and design solutions. Collaborative projects and mentorship encouraged different perspectives, teamwork, and shared responsibility.