ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Misti Dawn Newby, a STEM and science teacher at Grace Junior/Senior High School in Grace, Idaho, is the 2026 recipient of the Edward C. Roy Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching, which has been given annually since 2008 by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). This national award recognizes Newby for cultivating a deep sense of place, purpose, and stewardship through Earth science education. She believes earth science is vital for all students because it equips them to make informed decisions that affect their communities, environments, and futures, especially in her rural agricultural area, where science directly intersects with daily life.



