Society for Science & the Public Awards $100,000 to 28 STEM Teachers Across the Country

Funding to Purchase Equipment Ranging from Weather Balloons to Solar Panels

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Society for Science & the Public announced today that it is investing $100,000 in 28 middle and high school science teachers in 18 states across the country, as well as Puerto Rico, to strengthen STEM research programming in their classrooms. Each teacher will receive a grant of up to $5,000.

Grant recipients will be using the funds towards basic lab equipment, including weather balloons, safety equipment and pH sensors as well as a range of other materials that will allow students to explore topics they are interested in. Some of these teachers also plan to use their funding to cover research-related transportation costs to data collection sites.

“It’s vitally important for STEM teachers to have the equipment they need to support their students,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of Science News. “I’m thrilled that through this program the Society is able to help teachers in underserved areas, inspiring more students to pursue science and engineering careers.”

The Society’s STEM Research Grants Program provides small grants to educators to better empower middle- and high-school students to pursue authentic STEM research projects in their classrooms. These one-time grants help fund equipment or other experimental materials needed to complete research projects, or travel necessary to bring students to locations where they can complete their research. Priority is given to teachers in schools that serve low-income areas or underrepresented students.

The following teachers received STEM Research Grants:

  1. Chris Anderson, Nampa High School (Nampa, ID) – $2,000
  2. Susan Bender, Jim Hill High School (Jackson, MS) – $2,500
  3. Neely Calhoun, Clifford Meigs Middle School (Shalimar, FL) – $5,000
  4. Sarah Cooper, Southeast Career Technical Academy (Las Vegas, NV) – $3,000
  5. Jennifer Donnelly, Jose Marti STEM Academy (Union City, NJ) – $5,000
  6. Sara Byrd, Ogden High School (Ogden, UT) – $5,000
  7. Frederick Feraco, Walt Whitman High School (Huntington Station, NY) – $3,000
  8. Patrick Foley, Little Rock Central High (Little Rock, AR) – $3,000
  9. William Furiosi, Oviedo High School (Oviedo, FL) – $5,000
  10. Kandas Gonzalez, Milan Elementary School (Milan, NM) – $2,500
  11. Madison Hope, Del Valle High School (Del Valle, TX) – $3,000
  12. Cynthia Hopkins, Kaffie Middle School (Corpus Christi, TX) – $2,500
  13. Steven Kaestner, Jefferson Middle School (Albuquerque, NM) – $3,500
  14. Dineke Lasater, Lafayette Christian Academy (Lafayette, LA) – $5,000
  15. James Less, Saint Andrew Catholic School (Cape Coral, FL) – $2,000
  16. Vicky Lieu, Santiago High School (Garden Grove, CA) – $4,000
  17. Keri Meador, Central High School (Louisville, KY) – $5,000
  18. Kayleen Molina, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School (Tucson, AZ) – $2,000
  19. Deborah Morgan, South Sevier High School (Monroe, UT) – $2,500
  20. Jon Neuhausel, Westside Middle School Academy (Danbury, CT) – $3,500
  21. Christina Rodell, Goodnight Elementary School (Pueblo, CO) – $5,000
  22. Denise Sanders, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders (Austin, TX) – $2,000
  23. Alyson Saunders, Dexter Regional High School (Dexter, ME) – $5,000
  24. Tana Schafer, Flasher Public School (Flasher, ND) – $5,000
  25. Amanda Sellers, Clinton High School (Clinton, AR) – $3,000
  26. Alicia Stevens, Alta Vista Early College High School (Anthony, NM) – $5,000
  27. Yajaira Torres-De Jesús, Colegio Rosa-Bell (Guaynabo, PR) – $4,000
  28. Kerrie Upenieks, Beehive Science and Technology Academy (Sandy, UT) – $2,000

The STEM Research Grants are funded by Regeneron.

About Society for Science & the Public

Society for Science & the Public is dedicated to the achievement of young scientists in independent research and to public engagement in science. Established in 1921, the Society is a nonprofit whose vision is to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Through its world-class competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Broadcom MASTERS, and its award-winning magazines, Science News and Science News for Students, Society for Science & the Public is committed to inform, educate, and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).