The American Association of School Administrators has announced that Dr. Robert Ballard is the 2012 recipient of the American Education Award. This award honors an outstanding American citizen who has achieved excellence and distinction in his or her career and serves as a role model and teacher to others. The award honors Ballard’s extensive work as an oceanographer, marine biologist, explorer, researcher, author, professor and founder of The Jason Project, an acclaimed science program that has brought experience-based learning to millions of students across the country.

Previous recipients of the American Education Award include Helen Keller, Walt Disney, Walter Cronkite, Margaret Mead, Norman Rockwell and President Lyndon Johnson.

Ballard will receive the award the National Conference on Education in Houston Texas on February 19. He will be a featured speaker at the conference.