Advocate Program

Providing training, stipends, and year-round support to mentors supporting underrepresented and low income students in entering science research competitions.

Underserved students are often missing from the finalist groups of the Society’s competitions. In order to change this, the Society created the Advocate Program to provide mentors to encourage underserved students to enter their projects in science research competitions. The Advocates receive training and support from Society staff, a $3,000 stipend and a paid trip to Washington, D.C., to meet in person at a weekend-long convening.

The 2021-2022 Advocate Program application is now closed. Sign up here to be notified when the 2022-2023 application opens.

Learn More

About the Program

Interested in becoming an Advocate? Learn about the types of Advocates, eligibility, and the criteria for selection.

Sign up to be Notified

The 2021-2022 Advocate Program Application is now closed. Sign-up to be notified when the application opens up next year.

Meet our Advocates!

Get to know our Advocates past and present. Learn more about who they are and what inspires them.

“Many of my students were never encouraged to participate in science fair and they were very surprised when some of them placed 1st in their category. One of my girls kept on saying that she had never been 1st in anything in her life. She carried her trophy in her backpack for a whole week and she would show it anyone that agreed to listen to her story!”

Priscilla Lumbreras – Granbury, TX

“One of my students has been in the program for two years. I have never met his parents. Recently, he told me that his parents wanted him to quit school and begin working. Instead, he told them that he likes school and wants to go to college. When we found out that he was going to be receiving an award at his regional science fair this year his mom and little brother came. I know it meant the world to my student.”

Laurel Bingman – Houston, TX

Quick Links

Learn more about how you can help your students with helpful webinars on a range of topics from our Lead Advocates.

Advocate Program Webinars

The Advocate Program is evaluated on a yearly basis by Insight for Learning Practices. These reports are used to constantly improve the program.

Read the Reports

Lead by Frederick Feraco at Walt Whitman High School, this research program is a shining example of the impact our Advocates have.

Watch the Video

Society for Science & the Public has launched a program to connect Society alumni with students and classrooms across the country. Sign-up now!

Connect with Society Alumni

Sponsor the Advocate Program

The Advocate Program provides mentors with valuable resources to help under-served students participate in science competitions.

Join our group of sponsors to help take this program to even greater heights!

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities

From the Society Blog

February 9, 2021

Puerto Rico educator committed to students’ STEM education despite all odds

Melba’s students entered the inaugural New Mexico Governor's STEM Challenge and won as state champions.

September 15, 2020

How one Society Advocate’s students won at the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge

As a Society Advocate in 2019-2020, Raj Rajnarayanan created a paid summer internship program.

August 26, 2020

How one Society Advocate created a summer research program

Questions?

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Our Sponsors

CHAMPIONS FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION

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The Society’s Science News in High Schools program brings Science News magazine along with educational resources to high schools across the United States and worldwide.

High School Research Teachers Conference

Each year the Society brings 200 high school research teachers to Washington, D.C. for a weekend of sharing best practices and collaboration.

Research Teacher Captains can serve as resources for other teachers in their respective geographic areas.

Middle School Research Teachers Conference

The Society is proud to add the Middle School Research Teachers Conference to our Equity & Outreach programs. Each year 50 middle school teachers will come to Washington D.C. to collaborate and learn from each other.

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