Kaitangata School's year 4, 5, and 6 teacher Ruth Baldwin will receive the award from Royal Society of New Zealand chief executive Dr Andrew Cleland at a school assembly on August 21.
Aside from teaching at the 100-pupil school, Mrs Baldwin is a self-described beachcomber interested in ''fossils, rocks, geology and natural history''.
In 2013, Mrs Baldwin, who has taught for 20 years, landed a Primary Science Teacher Fellowship where she got first-hand experience on trips into the field with Dr Virginia Toy, from the University of Otago's department of geology, and attended lectures at the university for six months.
''It was one of the best experiences of my teaching career, because it took me out of the classroom and into a science, research world that I've only ever read about in books and newspapers,'' Mrs Baldwin said.
Learning the importance of observations, measurements and the ''fluid'' nature of scientific knowledge has allowed Mrs Baldwin to bring her passion for science into primary education.
''Everything can be broken down into little steps and little stages; everything can be broken down into little observations; and that's where your building block in science is - you start with your observations and measurements and then you're looking for trends and patterns.''
The award comes with $5000 for Mrs Baldwin to use in her pursuit of teaching science and $5000 for the school to use.
The decile 4 school, which celebrates its 150th jubilee next year, would use the funds to transport pupils to
field trips, opportunities for the children the school could not otherwise afford, Kaitangata School principal Anneta Payne said.
The award was a ''major score for both the school and Ruth personally'', Mrs Payne said.
''When she returned [from the fellowship] last year she was leading staff meetings and giving us lots of ideas for work in the classroom - ways we can engage kids.''
The school's pupils had changed their view of science since her return. There had been a renewed focus on science at the school.
''If you've got a lead teacher who's enthusiastic, then the kids become enthusiastic, the other staff members become enthusiastic and then you're halfway there.''
The awards, established in 2011, are awarded to up to three teachers a year.
This year's other recipient is Eden Hakaraia, from Otaika Valley School, in Northland.
