The Dave Sigler Award for Technical Excellence is one of the four prestigious “Best in Kentucky” titles presented each year at the STLP State Championship. This award honors the STLP Project that demonstrates the highest level of technical advancement, regardless of grade level, and celebrates the spirit of innovation, precision, and behind-the-scenes expertise that drive Kentucky’s leadership in educational technology.
Also known as the Dave Sigler Award for Best Technical STLP Project, the award was established in 2015 and debuted as a way to spotlight projects that push the boundaries of technical innovation within STLP. The inaugural awardees were the team from Bryan Station High School in Fayette County Public Schools, setting the tone for future winners by demonstrating how student-driven technical expertise can create meaningful impact.
The award is named in memory of Dave Sigler, a pioneer in Kentucky’s education technology history. Beginning in the early 1990s, Sigler played a pivotal role in making Kentucky the first state in the nation to deliver high-speed internet access to every school and district office. His work didn’t stop there—he later helped lead projects such as bringing wireless internet to school buses, ensuring students could stay connected and learning even while in transit.
Dave was not only a brilliant engineer but also a gifted teacher and mentor. Known for his extraordinary patience and generosity, he routinely spent hours on the phone guiding district technology staff through complex problems—not just giving them the answer, but teaching them the skills to solve issues independently in the future. He taught both high school students and adult learners, inspiring generations of Kentucky educators and technologists.
Despite many opportunities to leave for the private sector, Sigler remained committed to K-12 education because of his passion for serving students. His dedication embodied the very best of Kentucky’s “behind-the-scenes” technology professionals—the often unseen individuals whose precision and expertise make it possible for technology to enhance teaching and learning statewide.
Sigler’s contributions were nationally recognized when he was selected as Kentucky’s winner of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Making IT Happen Award. Tragically, he passed away before he could receive the honor. Today, the award named in his memory ensures his legacy lives on.
The Dave Sigler Award for Technical Excellence represents more than technical mastery. It represents commitment, patience, and the relentless pursuit of empowering others through technology. Each year’s winning project reflects not only the innovation of Kentucky students but also the spirit of Dave Sigler and the generations of technologists he inspired.
Winners of the Dave Sigler Award for Technical Excellence include,
- 2015 – Bryan Station High School, Fayette County, “AgendaBook app”
- 2016 – Jessie M. Clark Middle School, Fayette County, “Visa-Tube.”
- 2017 –
- 2018 –
- 2019 –
- 2020 – Allen Elementary, Floyd County, “Life Saving Vest.”
- 2021 – Russell High School, Russell Independent Schools, “VR:Ed”
- 2022 – Trimble County Jr-Sr. High School, Trimble County, “Fence Problem Finder”
- 2023 – Atherton High School, Jefferson County, “Portable weather station for pilots”
- 2024 – Crittenden County High School, Crittenden County, “3Cs”
- 2025 – Russell High School, Russell Independent Schools, “Project LOCKDOWN”
Learn more about the STLP Project Cycle and the STLP State Championship