Society for Science & the Public Provides $120K to Innovative Non-Profits, Science Research Teachers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Society for Science & the Public today announced $120,000 in grants have been distributed to five innovative organizations supporting community-based STEM projects and 23 science research programs to purchase much-needed equipment for teachers across the country. In total, $20,000 will be distributed to the nonprofit organizations, while $100,000 will go to teachers.

Through the STEM Action & Research Grant Program, the Society aims to fund cutting-edge, mission-driven organizations and support teachers who are leading students in authentic STEM research projects. 

“It is more important than ever that we recognize and support grassroots organizations using creative approaches to extend and enhance STEM education for young people. Likewise, I’m thrilled that the Society for Science & the Public is able to provide exemplary teachers with the tools they need to engage their students in scientific research,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of Science News.

STEM Action Grants

The STEM Action Grants support organizations that seek to advocate for the general public’s increased understanding of STEM fields, spark a life-long interest in and appreciation for STEM fields through unique programming and increase participation in STEM fields of underrepresented populations.

The following organizations received STEM Action Grants:

  • CODeLLA (Miami, FL) will receive $5,000 from the Society to support their mission to inspire Hispanic middle school girls to enter STEM fields and provide them pathways and skillsets to meaningfully engage in a 21st century global economy. The grant will fund podcasting equipment CODeLLA will use to produce weekly STEM News Podcasts in Spanish and English by and for the girls.
  • Electric Girls (New Orleans, LA) will receive $2,500 from the Society 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. The funding will be used to purchase materials and pay instructors to teach circuit building at four after-school sites in New Orleans during Fall 2017.
  • Learn Fresh (Denver, CO) will receive $5,000 to support its mission of improving student engagement and achievement, particularly among low-income students of color, through innovative, fun and effective educational tools. Learn Fresh’s primary program is NBA Math Hoops, a basketball board game and supplemental math curriculum that uses real statistics for basketball players. The funding will support a pilot project that would adapt the NBA Math Hoops board game for football with a game and program called “First and 10.” The program is being developed with the help of the Denver Broncos.
  • LITAS4GIRLS (Scottsdale, AZ) will receive $2,500 to support its mission to guide and inspire middle and high school girls to pursue computer science and STEM careers through incubators that encourage the girls to code with purpose. The funding will support LITAS summer incubators, chapters and technology showcase. LITAS is led by Anvita Gupta, a 2015 alumna of the Science Talent Search and 2013 alumna of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, programs founded and produced by the Society. This is LITAS’ second grant. 
  • ProjectCSGirls (Potomac Falls, VA) will receive $5,000 from the Society to support its mission to close the gender gap in computer science and technology through a national computer science competition for middle school girls. The funding supported a national gala that took place in coordination with the 2017 competition held earlier this month. The organization is headed by Pooja Chandrashekar, a 2015 alumna of the Science Talent Search, and this is the third grant ProjectCSGirls has received from the Society.

STEM Research Grants

The STEM Research Grants provide one-time grants to educators to 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.

The following teachers received STEM Research Grants to fund equipment such as robotics kits, DNA research equipment, microscopes, electrophoresis classroom kits, field biology collection kits, general laboratory supplies like petri dishes, sensors and pipettes as well as transportation to research facilities.

  • Judith Barrios, Union City High School (Union, NJ) – $5,000
  • Laurel Bingman, YES Prep Northbrook High School (Houston, TX) – $5,000
  • April Blaze, Haines City High School (Haines City, FL) – $5,000
  • Scott Bolen, Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (Conyers, GA) – $3,500
  • Cristobal Carambo, Philadelphia High School for Girls (Philadelphia, PA) – $4,000
  • Antonio Gamboa, Garey High School (Pomona, CA) – $5,000
  • Tahnee Harrell, Miramar High School (Miramar, FL) – $3,500
  • Loree Harvey, Monte Vista Senior High School (Monte Vista, CO) – $5,000
  • Joel Kuper, Greybull High School (Greybull, WY) – $4,000
  • Lauren Levites, Lindblom Math and Science Academy (Chicago, IL) – $5,000
  • Shawn Lowe, TC Williams High School (Alexandria, VA) – $4,000
  • Janette Lugo-Garay, Sonifel Private School (Fajardo, Puerto Rico) – $5,000
  • Jesusa Merioles, International Community High School (Bronx, NY) – $2,500
  • Pradip Misra, Bagdad High School (Bagdad, AZ) – $2,500
  • Andre Pineda, Alchesay High School (Whiteriver, AZ) – $5,000
  • Sherry Richardson, McKinley Technology High School (Washington, DC) – $5,000
  • Linda Sciaroni, Marco Antonio Firebaugh High (Lynwood, CA) – $5,000
  • Sonia Solis, Kofa High School (Yuma, AZ) – $5,000
  • Susan Swope, Red Mountain Middle School (Deming, NM) – $5,000
  • Laura Tenorio, Taos Middle and Taos High School (Taos, NM) – $2,000
  • Julie Throne, Cedar Shoals High School (Athens, GA) – $5,000
  • Peggy Veatch, Eldon High School (Eldon, MO) – $4,000
  • Michelle Wyatt, Spring Valley High School (Columbia, SC) – $5,000

Preference was given to schools or teachers supporting multiple students in research, schools or teachers supporting low-income students or students of underrepresented ethnicity, and/or programs proving sustainability beyond the current school year.

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).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Gayle Kansagor
202-872-5103
Gkansagor@societyforscience.org