CHAMPION — Middle school science teacher David Murduck is competing in a national contest that could bring $25,000 to his school’s outdoor learning lab — and he needs the public’s help.

Murduck is entered in the America’s Favorite Teacher contest, sponsored by the National Science Teachers Association and Reader’s Digest. The public can vote for him every 24 hours at americasfavteacher.org/2026/david-murduck.

HOW THE CONTEST WORKS

Murduck said he is in a group of 73 teachers competing. He said he and the other teachers in the contest created an online profile about themselves with photos.

The 20 teachers who receive the most votes from the public will move to the next round, and “when there are five teachers, the vote tally will start over again, going against each other,” Murduck said.

A selection should be made on the top finalists between April 16 and 23.

If successful in being named “America’s Favorite Teacher,” Murduck said the prize would be presented at an assembly at the school by entertainer “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”

He said the winning teacher receives $25,000 for the school, which in Champion’s case is for the outdoor learning lab, $1,000 for the school library and a pallet of paper for the school district.

Murduck said there are concerns with school districts’ funding, so “it is important that school districts receive as much support from their communities as possible.”

Voting for America’s Favorite Teacher is open to anyone, not just residents of the school district.

If Murduck wins, he suggested funds could be used to extend the handicapped-accessible trail.

“People in wheelchairs and with other handicaps will have more access to even more of the learning lab,” he said.

OUTDOOR LEARNING LAB

Murduck said the current outdoor learning lab, located on school grounds east of the school complex, has a sensory garden, a storybook trail and musical instruments.

He said plans for the outdoor learning lab were started after the K-8 school opened six years ago. The lab was opened in 2025 and dedicated in Murduck’s name.

“I was honored to have this named for me while I am a teacher here,” Murduck said.

Murduck said the outdoor learning lab is open to any students from Trumbull County — they can come after the school day is over to use the lab.

He said many teachers and students use the lab area, where there is a solar-powered pavilion and tables.

Additional improvements are in the works.

Murduck also said United Way of Trumbull County is providing funds so there will be three storybook trails when the trail is done.

“They are paying for one of the storybook trails. It will be used for exercise and observation,” he said.

Murduck said Christine Cope came to the school to present funds for an outdoor book house, which will be at the learning lab and have science books inside that the public can take and read.

The lab also has birdhouses, fruit trees and gardens.

“When this outdoor learning lab is done, there will be nothing like it in the Valley. It is already unique, and no school around has anything like it,” Murduck said.

He said there are plans for a community open house of the learning lab in April.

“I would like to have many people from the community there,” Murduck said.

MAKING LEARNING FUN

Second-grade teacher Stephanie Tice brought her students to Murduck’s class recently, where they used microscopes while learning about the human body and bacteria.

“I try to have science activities with the younger students as much as I can,” Murduck said. “We try to get all grade levels learning about science and how to use the equipment.”

Tice said the students enjoy this type of hands-on learning and going to another class to use the microscopes.