This Teaching Section award honors the work of Samuel Postlethwait, who was a botany professor at Purdue University from 1949-1984. His most notable achievement was the development of the audio-tutorial teaching system in the early 1970s. This learner-centered system was a competency-based program based on students achieving specific learning objectives. For each learning module, students listened to botany content with headphones from a cassette player, performed simple labs, and sought help from teaching assistant tutors.

Nominations, including self-nominations, are open for the 2025 Postlewait Award.

This award is for excellence in teaching in one’s institution and/or for recognition of service related to botanical education. DUE: May 9, 2025.

Criteria:

The Postlethwait Award is awarded to a current BSA Teaching Section member under the following criteria:

1. Facilitation of student learning and appreciation of botany.
2. Demonstrates innovation in the teaching of botany.
3. Demonstrates enthusiasm for student success in the acquisition of botanical knowledge.
4. Dedication to plant science education.

In addition to providing examples of the above, two supporting documents are required:

1. Botanical Society of America Professional Conduct Disclosure Form (completed by nominator)
2. CV of nominee

These documents should be emailed to the Teaching Section chair, Bob Noyd – Bob.noyd@afacademy.af.edu - with the subject line: Postlethwait Award nomination.

Appendix: Past Recipients of the Postlewait Award

1998 - David W. Kramer
2013 - Jim Wandersee
2014 - Marsh Sundberg
2015 - Donna Hazlewood
2016 - Baker Stokes
2017 - Phil Gibson
2018 - Madhav Nepal
2019 - Bruce Cahoon
2020 - Covid Pause
2021 - Pause, Review, and Renewal
2022 - Melanie DeVore
2023 - Janelle M. Burke
2024 - No Award in 2024