WASHINGTON, February 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Society for Science named 95 outstanding teachers as recipients of STEM research grants to advance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning in middle and high school classes in United States and abroad. With the ongoing public health emergency challenging education systems around the world, these awards pay tribute to the perseverance, hard work and essential role teachers and mentors play in supporting future STEM talent and leaders, including the next generation of climatologists, astronomers, geneticists, data analysts and engineers.
This year’s winners represent schools in 29 states, the District of Colombiathe US territories of American Samoa, Guam and Porto Rico as well as Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Priority attention is given to teachers in schools that support students from low-income communities and demographic groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields.
See the full list of 95 STEM Research Fellows here.
STEM research grants will be awarded in two forms: (1) research kits assembled and distributed to teachers by the Society for Science and (2) funds given directly to teachers for STEM-related equipment, such as technology , laboratory supplies or software. , all for use in practical research. The amount each teacher will receive in this last category will vary depending on what the teacher has requested for their class. Of the 95 teachers selected, 85 will receive STEM research kits worth $1,000 per set; 11 teachers will receive funds of up to $5,000 for their own reserved purchases and a beneficiary will receive a research kit in addition to $2,000 in financing.
STEM research kits and funding will help educators fuel and facilitate scientific research in any setting, whether remote, in-person, or through a hybrid model. That of the company STEM Research Grant Program is sponsored by Regeneron and National Geographic.
“We are thrilled to award these teachers STEM kits and resources to deepen their students’ pursuit of inquiry-based learning. Studies have consistently shown that hands-on original inquiry and active learning are essential. for students to truly embrace STEM pathways – this is especially true for women and students from underrepresented backgrounds,” said Michele Glidden, program director at the Society for Science. “We are proud to award scholarships to those outstanding teachers who motivate their students to conduct research, use critical thinking, and empower them to answer questions to solve problems in the world around them.”
Teachers selected to receive kits will receive the following items to spark their students’ science imaginations in the coming year. Each kit consists of the following items:
- Arduino Starter Kits – Each STEM kit recipient will receive four Arduino starter kits. With this open source hardware and software platform, students can embark on learning electronics. Available in a variety of languages and simple to use anywhere, teachers can guide students through projects on voltage, current, coding, and programming fundamentals. Students will build innovative prototypes with Arduino boards for research projects with this kit.
- Pocket Lab Travelers – Each STEM research fellow will receive two PocketLab Voyagers. This little gadget fits in the pocket, hence its name, and allows students to conduct research from anywhere. The tiny pocket lab can help citizen scientists, students, and serious researchers explore physics, weather, climate studies, and engineering topics with sensing capabilities that measure acceleration, angular velocity, magnetic fields, altitude, infrared range finder and more. Users stream real-time data with the Pocket Lab app to their own devices.
- Tracking cameras – STEM kit recipients will receive four trail cameras, along with SD cards and batteries. This camera offers high quality images at 14 MP and 720p HD video. These motion-activated cameras will allow students to conduct many types of research remotely – from studying local flora and fauna and animal behavior to monitoring conservation challenges, changes in biodiversity and even from observing the impact of humans on local wildlife. Students can easily attach the camera to a tree or pole, leave it in place and collect data over time, or use it to monitor species overnight or during the day.
- LaMotte Water Monitoring Kits – Each beneficiary will receive four water monitoring kits. Whether it’s a nearby stream or ocean, a well or drinking water, these portable kits help students who want to study water quality and contamination. This kit can be used to study eight test parameters and includes non-hazardous reagents to evaluate up to 10 water samples.
Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020the Society for Science has donated over 9,098 kits to over 600 educators in all 50 states, washington d.c., American Samoa, Guam, Porto Rico, Peru, Mexico and Uruguay. To date, the collective number of kits is valued at over half a million dollars. Priority is given to educators serving historically underrepresented student communities in STEM, educators who have participated in the Society’s teacher-researcher conferences, as well as educators from our other outreach and equity programs.
For more information, please visit https://www.societyforscience.org/outreach-and-equity/stem-research-grants/
About the Society for Science
The Society for Science is dedicated to the success of young scientists in independent research and to public engagement in science. Founded in 1921, the Society is a non-profit organization whose vision is to promote understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human progress. 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 magazine, Scientific News and Scientific News for students, Society for Science is committed to informing, educating and inspiring. Learn more about www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).
Media Contact:
Aparna Paul
Director of Communications, Society for Science
[email protected]
(781) 375-8353
SOURCE Society for Science
