Society for Science & the Public Awards $30,000 to community-driven STEM organizations

The Society for Science & the Public is thrilled to share that $30,000 in STEM Action Grants have been given to seven exceptional organizations supporting STEM education and science literacy.

The program seeks to encourage community-driven organizations that advocate for the general public’s understanding of science and works to increase participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields.

The following organizations are awardees of the 2018 STEM Action Grants Program:

• Congressional App Challenge (Washington, DC) will receive $5,000 to support their mission to encourage students to learn how to code, through annual district-wide competitions hosted by Members of Congress.
• Electric Girls (New Orleans, LA) will receive $5,000 to support the group’s mission to transform girls into technology leaders during summer camps, after school programs, in-school programs, one-day workshops and continuous weekend programs. Electric Girls received a STEM action grant in 2017.
• Girls Computing League (Herndon, VA) will receive $3,000 to support its mission to empower young women and underrepresented groups in computer science, artificial intelligence and technology. Kavya Kopparapu (2018 STS, 2017-2018 ISEF, 2013 Broadcom MASTERS) is founder of the Girls Computing League.
• Lower Brule Research (Lower Brule, SD) based on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation will receive $5,000 to dedicate more time, training and resources to encourage Native American students to enter STEM fields. The students are using scientific concepts and inquiry to solve problems the tribal elders identify in their community.
• March for Science (New York, NY) will receive $2,000 to support its youth offshoot, Students for Science, which is working to empower young people to discuss issues and important topics at the juncture of science and advocacy. Society alumni, Sophia Swartz (2018 STS; 2016, 2018 ISEF) and sisters Adhya and Shriya Beesam (2016-2017 ISEF) are involved in this project.
• ProjectCSGirls (Potomac Falls, VA) will receive $5,000 from the Society, an organization that seeks to close the gender gap in computer science and technology. The organization is headed by Pooja Chandrashekar, a 2015 STS alumna. This is the fourth grant the organization has received.
• SAFE Alternative Foundation for Education (Baltimore, MD) will receive $5,000 to support its mission to provide diverse educational programming and vocational exposure to inner city youth. The SAFE Foundation will use the funds to expand STEM learning in geographic regions that are underserved and plagued by poverty, violent crimes and drug activity.

Last year, the Society gave $55,000 to 13 organizations seeking to improve access to STEM education. Below, check out the impact the Society’s STEM Action Grants had on some 2017 awardees:

• Intrepid Museum: Virtual field trips bring New York City museum to students around the world
• Biobus: Science on the move with BioBus
• Science from Scientists: Schoolbound scientists bring STEM to life
• Sci-Inspire: Uber for science outreach: how this nonprofit is spreading STEM
• Project CSGirls: She founded a nonprofit in high school. Now, it’s going global