NCSE was selected by the California Science Teachers Association to receive its Distinguished Contributions Award for 2017. The CSTA wrote:
The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) programs support teachers, engage scientists and organize local communities to ensure that evolution and climate change are taught without compromise. They are vigilant in monitoring for anti-science legislation, inaccurate textbooks, and compromised science standards, and effectively organize local responses whenever problems arise. Here in California, NCSE has consistently been responsive to needs of science educators in the state and have a long track record of supporting CSTA and its members. Employees of the NCSE have served as CSTA board members, authored articles for California Classroom Science, and presented at the California Science Education Conference. Most recently, the NCSE has taken an active role in CA NGSS. One such example is supporting the California Science Framework review process by providing public input. In addition, they supported writers of the CA NGSS Roll Out 4 Grades 6-8 Integrated Learning Sequence by helping to track down data that could be used to strengthen incorporation of Analysis of Data and Mathematics and Computational Thinking in the sequence. They also supplied information and raffle items to each of the Roll Out 4 host sites so educators would know a support mechanism for the teaching of evolution and climate change existed. Most recently, with climate propaganda being sent directly to teachers across the state, they have been immediately responsive to teachers who needed guidance on messaging around such tactics. They are an important and valuable resource to our membership. NCSE exemplifies the vision of the Distinguished Contributions Award for their leadership, service, and positive impact.
NCSE's executive director Ann Reid accepted the award at the CSTA's award luncheon during the organization's annual meeting on October 14, 2017.