Chamisa Elementary School third grade teacher Carolyn Torres. Photo Courtesy LAPS
LAPS NEWS RELEASE
Chamisa Elementary School teacher Carolyn Torres is one of 12 winners of the 2023 Excellence in STEM Awards, aka the STEMYS, recently announced by the Air Force Research Lab Tech Engagement Office. The annual awards honor students, teachers, volunteers and other New Mexicans doing great things in science, technology, engineering and math education.
“The 2023 STEMY Winners are an outstanding group of individuals and organizations that are doing great work in STEM education,” Gabe Mounce, Director of the AFRL Tech Engagement Office said. “We had so many accomplished nominees this year that it was difficult to narrow down the list. That is a testament to the qualifications of this year’s winners and the strength of STEM education initiatives in New Mexico overall.”
Carolyn’s response to the award was “I am honored to receive this award in conjunction with so many other highly qualified educators. I hope to continue to support students in STEM at the elementary level and encourage them to become the thinkers and builders of tomorrow.”
Mrs. Torres is a National Board Certified teacher who has been teaching for 32 years. In 2014, she was named the New Mexico State Teacher of the Year. She also was a National Voya STEM Fellow from 2017-2020. She is currently a 3rd grade teacher at Chamisa Elementary School.
The winners will be celebrated at a ceremony on Friday, June 23 at Q Station in Albuquerque. In addition to the awards, some category winners will receive $1,500.
2023 STEMY Winners:
| Category | Winner | School/Organization |
| Student K-8 | Journey Allison | Albuquerque Institute for Math & Science |
| Student 9-12 | Ixchel Valentino | Homeschool |
| Student 9-12 | Aaron Chand | Tucumcari High School |
| Educator K-8 | Carolyn Torres | Chamisa Elementary (White Rock) |
| Educator 9-12 | Jennifer Nilvo | School of Dreams Academy |
| School | Desert Willow Family School | |
| Higher Ed | Engineering Student Success Center | University of New Mexico |
| Advisor/Coach | La Tonya Jenkins | Greater ABQ National Society of Black Engineers Jr. Chapter |
| Mentor | Dr. Curtis O’Malley | New Mexico Tech |
| Non-Profit | Asombro Institute for Science Education | |
| Small Business | Construction Survey Technologies Inc. | |
| Large Business | Permian Strategic Partnership |
About the AFRL Tech Engagement Office:
The AFRL Tech Engagement Office handles tech transfer/commercialization and STEM education outreach programs for Air Force Research Lab New Mexico. These programs are administered through agreements with various partners, including the New Mexico Trade Alliance, New Mexico Tech University and Central New Mexico Community College.
