WSBR Recognizes 2024 June Scobee Rodgers Educator Award Winner Gina Pereda
In an age where technology and innovation increasingly shape our world, the importance of sparking interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among our youth cannot be overstated. This is why the Washington Space Business Roundtable (WSBR) is honored to collaborate with Challenger Center in recognizing the remarkable work of educators like Gina Pereda, an eighth-grade integrated science teacher at STEAM Academy Middle School in Hazelwood, Missouri. Gina’s dedication, which earned her the 2024 June Scobee Rodgers Educator Award, exemplifies the transformative power of committed teachers who ignite curiosity and ambition in their students.
Named after Challenger Center’s Founding Chair, June Scobee Rodgers, this award is a tribute to educators who share the same passion and vision for STEM that inspired the formation of Challenger Center itself. For more than 20 years, Gina Pereda has been at the forefront of creating dynamic, engaging learning experiences, bringing STEM subjects to life in her classroom and going the extra mile to connect her students with Challenger Learning Center–St. Louis. Her efforts provide students with an understanding of STEM not just as academic subjects, but as real-world, hands-on opportunities to explore, question, and grow.
The Challenger Learning Center missions offer students an unforgettable chance to take learning out of textbooks and into an immersive, experiential environment. Gina’s commitment to utilizing these missions to their fullest—preparing her students well in advance and ensuring the missions are a continuation of her classroom teachings—demonstrates a model for how educators can make learning meaningful and engaging. She doesn’t just teach; she inspires students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and embrace STEM concepts as tools for their future success.
WSBR is proud to have contributed to the June Scobee Rodgers Educator Award endowment earlier this year, and we see our support as a vital part of building a future-oriented workforce. By recognizing educators like Gina Pereda, we help celebrate those who are shaping the minds that will guide tomorrow’s breakthroughs. As a leadership forum committed to uniting the Washington, DC space industry, WSBR deeply believes in the value of supporting initiatives that make STEM education accessible and exciting for students everywhere.
The partnership with Challenger Center is a natural extension of our goals—promoting interest in space, enhancing educational engagement, and providing students with role models who exemplify dedication, creativity, and perseverance. Gina Pereda’s recognition is well-deserved, and we commend her for her passion for her students and for the collaboration that helps them dream bigger.
The importance of educators cannot be overstated, and honoring their contributions is crucial in ensuring that STEM education continues to evolve and inspire. WSBR extends its heartfelt congratulations to Gina Pereda and deep gratitude to Challenger Center for their ongoing work in promoting STEM excellence across the nation. Together, we look forward to inspiring more students to reach for the stars, one classroom at a time.
