Western North Carolina STEM Research Fellows Program
The Society established a Western North Carolina STEM Research Ambassador and Fellows program, in partnership with the Appalachian State University GEARUP Program, to increase opportunities for students to participate in STEM research and science fairs in western North Carolina. With guidance from the Ambassador, the Program built a local, collaborative network of teachers who supported one another in building student STEM research opportunities to increase student engagement in research, science fairs, and STEM competitions.
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2025-26 Program
The 2025-26 Western NC STEM Research Fellows Program demonstrated strong impact across student learning, teacher practice, and regional STEM capacity. Fellows reported that authentic research experiences, STEM Research Kits, and Science News Learning program resources helped students become more engaged, curious, and confident in STEM, with many beginning to see themselves as scientists, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers. The Program also strengthened teachers’ ability to facilitate inquiry-based learning and engineering design, supported science fair and competition infrastructure, and created lasting professional growth through a peer-led regional cohort model.
Participants
- Allyson McFalls, Blowing Rock School (Watauga, NC), STEM Research Ambassador
- Christy Arrowood, Burke County Public Schools (Morganton, NC), Lead Fellow
- Gareth Wilkinson, Macon Middle (Franklin, NC), Lead Fellow
- Kelly DelGatto, Liberty Middle School (Morganton, NC)
- Adam Dibert, Brevard Middle School (Brevard, NC)
- Amanda Hall, Cullowhee Valley School (Cullowhee, NC)
- Susan Higdon, West McDowell Middle School (Marion, NC)
- Scarlett Lackey, River Bend Middle School (Claremont, NC)
- Samantha Langley, River Bend Middle School (Claremont, NC)
- Kristin Menickelli, Cullowhee Valley School (Sylva, NC)
- Melissa Painchaud, H.M. Arndt Middle (Hickory, NC)
- Marissa Robison, East McDowell Middle School (Marion, NC)
- Silvia Sikaffy, Table Rock Middle School (Morganton, NC)
- Raymond Szpara, Macon Middle School (Franklin, NC)
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From the Society Blog
February 2, 2026
Western North Carolina plants new STEM educator research community
Program Sponsors
