The Sawtooth STEM Educator Award recognizes outstanding Idaho educators who go above and beyond to inspire students and advance excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
This year, three educators were selected—one from each of the following categories:
- K–6 STEM Educator
- 7–12 STEM Educator
- Higher Education STEM Educator (college, university, or other post-secondary setting)
These educators demonstrated innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to engaging students in meaningful STEM learning. Award recipients were selected by a panel of our industry partners and recognized for their impact both inside and outside the classroom.
Each award recipient receives:
- $2,000 individual cash prize
- $2,000 for their school or institution to support STEM programs, materials, or initiatives
Nominees must:
- Be a current Idaho educator working in a public, private, or charter school (K–12) or in a higher education institution (e.g., college or university)
- Teach in a STEM-related field (e.g., science, technology, engineering, math, or a STEM-integrated subject)
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to innovative, impactful, and inclusive STEM education
STATUS: Closed
Nomination Schedule
Open: May 6, 2025
Close: August 15, 2025
Award Date: October 16, 2025
2025 Recipients were announced at the Idaho Technology Council’s Hall of Fame Idaho Tech & Idavation Awards on October 16, 2025. See winners and photos below!
Thank you to our 2025 Partners!
For many years, the Sawtooth Educator Awards have been supported by longtime partners who believe deeply in the power of education and innovation.
Their continued investment in education fuels opportunities for students across Idaho — from hands-on classroom experiences to pathways that lead directly into our state’s growing STEM workforce.
We are so grateful for your leadership and your commitment to inspiring the next generation of problem solvers and innovators.
Winners and Partners for the Sawtooth STEM Educator/INDEEDS Awards
2025 Sawtooth STEM Educator Award Winners
Travis Ewert
Travis Ewert is an innovative 4th and 5th grade educator who provides students with dynamic, engaging learning experiences across math, science, English language arts, and social studies. He enriches instruction through technology integration, hands-on STEM challenges, and collaborative projects that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. By designing immersive, community-based simulations, Mr. Ewert connects classroom learning to real-world contexts, empowering students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.
A recognized leader within his district, Mr. Ewert has facilitated Learning Labs through the Lab Host Network, opening his classroom for observation by educators both in and out of district. As his school’s building technology leader, he is known for designing innovative lessons and supporting colleagues with effective tech integration. He also serves on the Science Committee and Guiding Coalition Team, contributing to STEM curriculum design, professional development, and the advancement of his school’s Professional Learning Community (PLC) model.
Mr. Ewert is deeply committed to access for all his students, ensuring all students feel valued and supported. Through differentiated instruction and purposeful recognition of student voices, he fosters a culture where diverse perspectives are celebrated. His leadership in the STEM Shop and events like STEM Night, where he showcased the augmented reality sandbox, exemplify his ability to inspire curiosity and engage students and families alike.
Widely respected as a mentor and collaborator, Mr. Ewert is a driving force in advancing STEM education, preparing students with the skills, confidence, and creativity they need to thrive in the future
Brandi Milliron
Brandi Milliron is a passionate STEM and Computer Science educator at West Minico Middle School, where she has spent the past eight years building and expanding programs that inspire students through hands-on learning. She teaches STEM, Advanced STEM, Drones, Computer Science, and Journalism, and has transformed these courses into some of the school’s most requested electives.
Ms. Milliron’s leadership extends beyond the classroom through STEM Club, where her students have earned national recognition. Her teams have twice traveled to the Kennedy Space Center through the Northwest Earth and Space Science Pathways (NESSP) program, and were also named national finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, presenting their projects in Washington, D.C. She has further strengthened her expertise through extensive professional development, including Discover Drones, Ready Set Drones, Drone Designers, and the Idaho MicroMax Conference for Adobe and Microsoft certification training.
One of Ms. Milliron’s most innovative contributions is the SPARK (Student Peers Applying Relevant Knowledge) program, which pairs peer mentors with students from the extended resource classroom. Together, they explore drones, robotics, and 3D printing—fostering inclusion, leadership, and communication skills while reshaping school culture around empathy and collaboration.
Ms. Milliron also connects students with real-world applications by bringing in guest speakers from law enforcement, agriculture, and the military, and guiding students in projects that highlight innovative uses of technology. She shares her expertise with educators statewide through i-STEM professional development and her district’s Power Up PD Day, and remains an active member of IETA, JEA, IEA, and the Minidoka County Education Association Executive Board.
Lynn R. Watson
Lynn Watson came to the Treasure Valley forty years ago, like many others, to work for HP. Educated at BYU, then Cornell University, he came as an engineer to Laser Printers. He was soon a senior scientist and responsible for designing the custom silicon in those printers. After a dozen years at HP here and in Spain, he quit to start his own fabless integrated foundry company. That company, In-System Design, created custom silicon solutions for printing, and the first USB mass-storage solutions. It was sold to Cypress Semiconductor and remained here in the valley for many years.
Over the next decade Lynn was asked to be involved in various technical projects: Chairman of the Board at Baseline Systems, managing silicon projects for Marvell Semiconductor, and other entrepreneurial ventures.
He and his wife took a break when they volunteered to be Country Directors for LDS Charities in Iraq for a year and a half, managing humanitarian aid for ISIS victims. Returning home, and failing retirement again, he was hired to be a full-time professor at Brigham Young University Idaho, and continues there today, teaching Electrical/Computer Engineering and S.T.E.M. projects.
Throughout various working careers, there have been continued engagements with education – He taught as adjunct at UofI / BSU, served on BYU’s Alumni Board for Engineering, participated in multiple college Advisory Boards, and helped organize, judge, and coach student teams for over a decade in the “Student Innovator of the Year” competitions.
Lynn loves all things electronics, Internet-of-Things, amateur radio, home-control, and all combinations. Most of all, he loves the environment at Brigham Young University Idaho, that lets him focus only on students – watching their growth and success in an ever-changing, hyper-competitive world.
Thank you to our 2025 Partners!
For many years, the Sawtooth Educator Awards have been supported by longtime partners who believe deeply in the power of education and innovation.
Their continued investment in education fuels opportunities for students across Idaho — from hands-on classroom experiences to pathways that lead directly into our state’s growing STEM workforce.
We are so grateful for your leadership and your commitment to inspiring the next generation of problem solvers and innovators.
2024 Sawtooth STEM Educator Award Winners
Junsong Su
Junsong was born and raised Kunming, China, and studied Chinese language and literature in Nanjing. After an early career as a journalist, Junsong answered the call to teaching and pursued a degree in Multilingual Education at the University of Northern Colorado. He now teaches 4th-grade immersion Chinese at South Fork Elementary in Rigby, Idaho. The immersion method allows his students to learn the Chinese language quickly by engaging in science and math immersed in a second language. Junsong’s passion for science and technology drives him to continually explore new methods, ensuring that his students stay engaged and grasp the material deeply. Every summer, Junsong attends the i-STEM institutes, learning from fellow educators and industry professionals about the latest trends in STEM. After one such experience, Junsong worked with his principal to introduce a 3D printing glass and start a robotics program at South Fork Elementary. Junsong’s emphasis on hands-on learning and immersion of real-world STEM industry professionals drive his students to deep understanding of STEM concepts.
Todd Anderson
Upon starting his position at Canyon Ridge High School, Todd Anderson started a First Tech Challenge robotics team, which has competed for the last two years. He joined SkillsUSA in the 2023-24 school year, and his advanced engineering students took first, second, and third place in the state 3-Axis Milling Programmer event in April 2024. He has organized and run a virtual reality design summer camp for multilingual learners. Mr. Anderson has advanced the engineering program at Canyon Ridge High School so that it pushes students to build skills in engineering and catalyze their futures in STEM.
Thank you to our 2024 Gold Partner!
Thank you to our 2024 Silver Partners!
Thank you to our 2024 Bronze Partners!