The deadline for nominations to the 2nd Gawad Leadership and Innovations for Development Relevant to Science Education or Gawad LIDER has been extended to February 26, 2010.

Science Education Institute Director Dr. Ester B. Ogena said the extension was done to accommodate more nominations to come in as higher prizes are at stake.

“We want to entice more people to come out and nominate individuals and institutions who have contributed to the betterment of science education in the country,” she said.

Awardees of the 1 st Gawad LIDER include former Marikina Division School Superintendent Dr. Flordeliza Mayari, now the Valenzuela Division School Superintendent, University of the Philippines-National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development, and Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology for Exemplary Leadership and Mr. Virgil Samonte for the Innovation Award. Last year's winners received P150,000 and a medal each.

For the 2 nd Gawad LIDER, prizes are pegged at P200,000 and a medal for winners in the Exemplary Leadership and Innovation Award Categories.

Ogena said the Exemplary Leadership Award is conferred to individuals and institutions/organizations that have consistently demonstrated leadership qualities leading to improvements in the field of education in the sciences which have generated nationwide impact.

On the other hand, the Innovation Award is given to an individual or institution for the introduction of a technology-based innovation that benefits education in the sciences.

Any head of an institution, community leaders, organization or individuals may nominate an individual or institution/organization for the Gawad LIDER awards.

Ogena said any person or institution/organization who has demonstrated sustained leadership capability through the conduct of a project with significant impact on education in the sciences may be nominated for the Exemplary Leadership- Individual and Institution Category.

She said the nominee in the Individual Category of the Exemplary Leadership Award should have led the implementation of a program or project for at least five years.

Ogena noted that any individual or organization who has introduced a technology-based innovation and has successfully used or adopted these innovations that contributed to the advancement of education in the sciences may be nominated for the Innovation Award.

She said an innovation is operationally defined as the development or enhancement of devices, equipment, gadgets, tools, or products or procedures that resulted in greater effectiveness and higher efficiency in teaching and learning in the sciences.

Nomination and application forms may be obtained from the SEI office and at the DOST Regional Offices.

Awarding of the winners will be conducted during the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week in July 2010. (30)