
STEM Action Grants
Through the STEM Action Grant program, the Society distributed $245,000 in grants to 53 organizations in 2023 across 24 states and Washington, D.C. This is the largest cohort of recipients to date. Each recipient organization is working to advance scientific literacy and make STEM opportunities more accessible. They are doing pivotal work to enhance the public’s understanding of science and to increase the participation of underserved populations across a wide spectrum of STEM activities and interests: from experiences in marine and environmental science, to career exploration in various STEM fields, to the intersection of STEM with communications and the arts, and beyond.

In 2023, three previous grantees — Be Loud Studios, Girls Link Up, and Women’s Audio Mission — were granted new $10,000 capacity-building awards. These organizations were chosen based on their history of programmatic success, their unique audiences and the diversity of their leadership.

The STEM Action Grant program seeks to enhance and expand access to STEM programming for learners of all ages who historically have been left behind in STEM education and careers. These audiences include, but are not limited to, Black, Latinx, female, gender-expansive, deaf or hard-of-hearing, visually impaired, and low-income communities. Since 2016, the Society has awarded $831,000 through the STEM Action Grant program.

STEM ACTION RECIPIENTS
Here is a glimpse at the work of just a few of the 2023 STEM Action Grant awardees. Follow the link at the bottom of the page to meet the entire cohort!
ANGARI Foundation (West Palm Beach, FL)
Through research initiatives and innovative film and technology projects, ANGARI Foundation is creating a global community invested in marine and environmental sciences. Its Coastal Ocean Explorers: Sharks program received a $5,000 STEM Action Grant to immerse students and teachers at a new Title I Florida school in hands-on marine science. The program features expedition days aboard the ANGARI, a 65-foot vessel that serves as an exceptional research and education platform for science at sea.

Calculated Genius Inc. (Chicago, IL)
Calculated Genius connects students to the limitless possibilities within STEM that can lead not only to a career but to a life-changing passion. A $5,000 STEM Action Grant supported curricular materials for the Summer Scholars initiative, which raises awareness of educational and vocational pathways through project-based programming featuring academics and industry professionals.

Hawaii Science and Technology Museum (Honolulu, HI)
The Hawaii Science and Technology Museum oversees several programs that reach thousands of children across Hawaii. A $3,000 STEM Action Grant supported the Na’alehu Community Robotics and Technology Center, also known as HONUWORKS. Based in a small rural community, HONUWORKS inspires local students and community members to develop solutions to local challenges, bridging the technological divide and promoting social equity for the people of Na’alehu.

Nehemiah Community Empowerment Center (Greensboro, NC)
Core programming of the Nehemiah Community Empowerment Center includes the STEM and Career Exploration Summer Camp and the Teen Apprenticeship Afterschool program, which allow underserved students to explore potential careers and prepare for the workforce. The organization seeks to tap into the hidden talent within every student and believes that early and consistent exposure to various fields is key. A $4,000 STEM Action Grant supported their efforts to upgrade the delivery of their STEM curriculum.

Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (Austin, TX)
The Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) focuses on sparking student curiosity and nurturing a strong sense of community that will support the long-term success of underrepresented students in engineering careers. A $2,500 STEM Action Grant supported the development of the TAME Careers Pyramid Game, giving over 2,000 students a hands-on tool to help identify and align their collegiate and career pursuits.
