AUBURN – Jeffrey Steinert, a veteran Auburn physics teacher twice nominated for one of the nation’s highest education awards, lost the Presidential Award again this year.

Anita Bernhardt, a science teacher at Falmouth Middle School, and Yousuff Siddiqui, a math teacher at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, each received the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

They were the only teachers in Maine to win. Nationally, 95 teachers won Presidential awards for teaching math or science.

Steinert, an Edward Little High School science teacher known for his innovative, hands-on lessons, was one of three science finalists for the award in Maine. Three others were chosen for math.

Finalists received a certificate and $750. The winners get a trip to Washington, D.C., and $10,000 to spend on their classrooms.