Society for Science & the Public Grants $120,000 to 35 STEM Research Teachers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Society for Science & the Public is excited to announce grants totaling $120,000 to 35 middle and high school science teachers in 23 states across the country to support STEM research activities in their classrooms. Each teacher will receive a grant of up to $5,000.

“Many teachers across the country are facing immense challenges obtaining the resources they need to purchase science equipment for their classrooms that can help engage their students and enrich their lessons,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of Science News. “Through the STEM Research Grant Program, we are providing teachers with an opportunity to create meaningful STEM research experiences for their students.”

Grant recipients will be using the funds towards equipment including digital incubators and microscopes for experiments, computer software needed for advanced analyses and various lab kits. Some teachers plan to use their funding to cover research-related transportation costs.

The Society’s STEM Research Grant Program supports educators who are implementing fresh and innovative teaching methods to shed light on discoveries that can be made through original STEM research projects. 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. Preference is given to teachers in schools that serve low-income areas or underrepresented students.

The following teachers received STEM Research Grants to fund equipment and other programming:

  1. Maria Agapito, Bard High School Early College – Newark Campus (Newark, NJ) – $1,000
  2. Rocheli Apilan, High School for Health Professions and Human Services (New York, NY) – $5,000
  3. Suzanne Banas, South Miami Middle School (Miami, FL) – $3,000
  4. William Bartenslager, Palm Beach Central High School (Wellington, FL) – $4,000
  5. Lu Bitter, Pratt High School USD 382 (Pratt, KS) – $5,000
  6. Dennis Boxrud, Hinckley Finlayson Public Schools (Hinckley, MN) – $5,000
  7. Sean Brady, Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Greenbelt, MD) – $4,000
  8. Cheyenne Branscum, Shawnee Middle School (Shawnee, OK) – $3,000
  9. Molly Carlson, Mauston High School (Mauston, WI) – $1,000
  10. Gabrielle Ciarcia, EL Haynes PCS (Washington, DC) – $5,000
  11. Carrie Cox, Chamberlain High School Science (Chamberlain, SD) – $4,000
  12. ScottiAnn Benton, Jasper County Middle School (Monticello, GA) – $3,000
  13. Cathy Farrar, Marquette High School (Chesterfield, MO) – $3,000
  14. Yolanda Flores, Navajo Preparatory School (Farmington, NM) – $3,000
  15. Patricia Griest, Seneca Valley High School (Harmony, PA) – $3,000
  16. Stephanie Harris, Washington Technology Magnet School (Saint Paul, MN) – $4,000
  17. Kevin Johnson, Kauai High School (Lihue, HI) – $5,000
  18. Jeremy Jonas, Tucson High Magnet School (Tucson, AZ) – $5,000
  19. Dave Jones, Big Sky High School (Missoula, MT) – $5,000
  20. Ed Lewis, Moberly High School (Moberly, MO) – $1,000
  21. David Lockett, Edward W. Bok Academy (Lake Wales, FL) – $5,000
  22. Samuel Loftus, New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School (New Orleans, LA) – $5,000
  23. Priscilla Lumbreras, Granbury High School (Granbury, TX) – $4,000
  24. Reny Mathew, Greyhills Academy High School (Tuba City, AZ) – $3,000
  25. Amy Melby, Yuma High School (Yuma, CO) – $4,000
  26. Rachna Nath, ACP Erie (Chandler, AZ) – $3,000
  27. Jennifer Pefanis, Sanford H. Calhoun High School (Merrick, NY) – $1,000
  28. Elizabeth Proctor, Jasper County High School (Monticello, GA) – $3,000
  29. Julia Riley, Hayfield Secondary School (Alexandria, VA) – $5,000
  30. John Weisenfeld, Pasco High School (Pasco, WA) – $1,000
  31. Todd Spangler, Whitefish High School (Whitefish, MT) – $3,000
  32. Iquo-Ote Spence, Hallandale Magnet High School (Hallandale Beach, FL) – $1,000
  33. Gregg Stickler, Rising Sun High (North East, MD) – $3,000
  34. Paul Timm, Lyons-Decatur Northeast Public Schools (Lyons, NE) – $4,000
  35. Virginia Vilardi, Wetumpka High School (Wetumpka, AL) – $3,000

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 Intel 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).