2018 Society Annual Report

STEM Research Grants 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.

BREEDING CURIOUSITY THROUGH SCIENCE

This grant has ensured that our science fair is accessible to our diverse population of students.” MARY CROWLEY Teacher Murray Middle School, St. Paul, Minn. With mini-grants of up to $5,000 each, teachers interested in leading students in authentic re- search projects can receive the equipment and support they need for their classrooms. While Murray Middle School in St. Paul, Minn., had a strong history of science fair, participa- tion was often limited to students who had the means outside of school to complete projects. Mary Crowley, a teacher at the school, wanted to change this paradigm. With her STEM Research Grant, Mary received funds to create “inquiry kits” across multiple subject areas that could be checked out by students who wanted to con- duct scientific research. The kits were a tremen- dous success, enabling any interested student to investigate their own unique questions— regardless of the resources they have at home. “

Elizabeth Clark’s students at Manchester Middle School in Richmond, Va., test out their new vacuum apparatus with a marshmallow.

UP, UP AND AWAY Kate Elliot and her middle school students in Salem, Utah, use their new hot air balloon launcher.

TESTING THE WATER FOR CONTAMINANTS A 7th grade student in Joseph King’s class in Denver, Colo., opens the water testing kit they ordered to start testing water samples for phosphates.

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK A teacher at the Explorers Homeschool Association Science Center in Michigan teaches a student how to use a microscope.

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