By Investing in Influential Middle School STEM Teachers, This
Unique Professional Development Program Reaches Thousands of
Students in Classrooms Today and Far into Future.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 21, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Nine middle school teachers from eight states
have been selected to participate in the prestigious National STEM
Scholar Program, a unique professional development program
providing advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and
math) training, national network building and project support for
middle school science teachers nationwide.
"Supporting teachers who inspire and
motivate middle school students at this critical decision-making
age will directly impact how many choose to pursue the STEM skills
essential for living-wage jobs."
Created in partnership between the National Stem Cell Foundation
and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University (WKU), the National
STEM Scholar Program selects teachers each year from a national
pool of applicants based solely on the description of a "big idea"
Challenge Project the applicant would implement in their classroom
if funds were available. Selected projects are chosen for maximum
impact in middle school classrooms where research shows lifelong
STEM career decisions are being made. STEM Scholars convene on
WKU's campus for a week of advanced STEM training and finalize
their projects with input from their STEM Scholar class
colleagues.
The 2024 National STEM Scholar class will be hosted by The
Gatton Academy from May 26 to June 1
on the campus of WKU in Bowling Green,
Ky.:
- Katie Duff, Manhattan, Ill. – Manhattan Junior High
School
- Heather Febres, Orlando,
Fla. – Pershing K-8 School
- Angela Kopp, Overland Park, Kans. – Holy Cross Catholic
School
- Bridget McDonald, Katy, Tex. – Beckendorff Junior High
School
- Sarah Nelson Wiese, Omaha, Nebr. – Bryan
Middle School
- Samantha Poll, Hampden, Maine – Samuel L.
Wagner Middle School
- Nicole Slowik, Vestavia Hills,
Ala. – Liberty Park Middle
School
- Kourtney Taylor, Stanford, Ky. – Lincoln County Middle
School
- Eliza Vela, San Antonio, Tex. – Longfellow Middle
School
Studies show that middle school students who become excited
about science are the ones who will pursue STEM courses in high
school and major in them at the technical and college levels. At a
pivotal time in decision-making that will open or close the door to
opportunity, however, nearly 50% of 8th graders in America lose
interest in pursuing the STEM-related subjects increasingly
required for 21st-century jobs.
Dr. Paula Grisanti, CEO of the
National Stem Cell Foundation, said, "We added education to our
mission and partnered with The Gatton Academy in 2015 to support
the development of a new generation of scientists in academic
research, advanced technology, and infrastructure engineering.
Supporting teachers who inspire and motivate middle school students
at this critical decision-making age will directly impact how many
choose to pursue the STEM skills essential for living-wage jobs. By
investing in the influential middle school STEM teacher now, we
reach thousands of students in classrooms today and far into the
future."
Dr. Julia Link Roberts, Executive
Director of The Gatton Academy, added, "This partnership will
accrue benefits for the National STEM Scholars, middle school
students in their classrooms, and the middle school science
teachers with whom they collaborate. The National STEM Scholar
Program is an excellent way for teachers to learn new strategies
and new ways to engage students to help them become and stay
interested in science and math."
Now in its 9th year, there are 90 National STEM Scholars
representing middle schools in 35 states. 91% teach in public
schools, 41% teach in mid- to high-poverty schools, and 39% teach
in communities with a population under 15,000. A unique requirement
of the program is the responsibility for STEM Scholars to share
lessons learned with colleagues in their home schools, districts or
states, magnifying impact over multiple classrooms and years. By
June 2025, National STEM Scholars
will have directly and indirectly impacted more than 146,000 middle
school students in the U.S.
To download photos of this year's STEM Scholars, click here.
About the National Stem Cell Foundation
The National Stem Cell Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization that funds adult stem cell and regenerative medicine
research, underwrites the National STEM Scholar Program for middle
school science teachers inspiring the next generation of STEM
pioneers nationwide, and covers copays and deductibles for children
participating in clinical trials for rare diseases when those
out-of-pocket costs are beyond a family's means. For more
information, visit www.nationalstemcellfoundation.org.
About The Gatton Academy
Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy is Kentucky's first residential two-year program
for gifted and talented juniors and seniors. The Gatton Academy's
students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students pursuing
their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics. The Gatton Academy is a recipient of the 2022
Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity
Magazine and the Innovation Partnership Award from the National
Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools.
Media Contact
Dr. Paula Grisanti, National Stem
Cell Foundation, 1 5023798544,
scholars@nationalstemcellfoundation.org,
www.nationalstemcellfoundation.org
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SOURCE National Stem Cell Foundation