INL News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2016
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lori McNamara, 208-520-6066, lori.mcnamara@inl.gov
Laura Scheele, 219-381-8672, laura.scheele@inl.gov
Idaho National Laboratory awards STEM grants to Idaho schools
IDAHO FALLS – Five Idaho schools have been awarded an Ultimate STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) grant, worth up to $5,000, to enhance and supplement their STEM learning courtesy of Idaho National Laboratory. In addition, 18 STEM Mini grants, worth up to $500, were awarded.
Teachers and counselors from public and private schools throughout the state apply each year for both types of grants, which are awarded based on the educator’s plan, idea or classroom needs to bolster STEM education. The money can be used to purchase equipment and materials for classrooms.
Ultimate STEM grant recipients are:
1. Eric McDowell from Kendrick Junior/Senior High School, $4,998, plans to use the money to purchase apiary equipment for a class project.
2. Scott Shramek from Shoshone-Bannock Junior/Senior High School in Fort Hall, $4,986.95, plans to use the money to upgrade their basic laboratory equipment.
3. Emily Freeman from Lincoln Alternative High School in Idaho Falls, $5,000, plans to use the money to purchase physical science lab equipment.
4. Aurea Jensen from South Fremont Junior High School in St. Anthony, $2,870, plans to purchase equipment for a hydroponics classroom project.
5. Laura Spruway from Lakeland Junior High School in Rathdrum, $746, plans to purchase equipment to create an innovation laboratory.
“Getting students excited about STEM is critical to the future of INL, Idaho and the nation as a whole,” said Anne Seifert, INL’s manager of K-12 STEM outreach. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s scientists, engineers and technicians. Grants like these provide our teachers with the tools they need to educate, prepare and engage students and give them hands-on experience in STEM subjects.”
Both the STEM Mini grants and Ultimate STEM grants are part of INL’s effort to boost STEM education in Idaho. Funding for the grants comes from Battelle Energy Alliance, a nonprofit organization that operates the lab for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
This year’s STEM Mini grant recipients are:
Idaho Falls/eastern Idaho
Dale Walker of Bonneville High School in Idaho Falls received $497.49 to purchase calculators.
Mikel Green of Shoshone Bannock Junior/Senior High School in Fort Hall received $485.60 to purchase lab equipment.
Sandra Dunn of Compass Academy in Idaho Falls received $496.95 to purchase physics lab equipment.
Carla Davenport of Discovery Elementary in Idaho Falls received $429 to purchase a classroom iPad.
Angela Hayes of Discovery Elementary in Idaho Falls received $500 to purchase a classroom microscope.
Becky Davis of Teton Elementary received $500 to fund a science geography project.
Misti Lewis of Falls Valley Elementary in Idaho Falls received $500 to purchase science modules.
Chris Brown of Parker-Egin Elementary in Parker received $450 to fund monthly STEM challenges.
Rondee Owens of Parker-Egin Elementary in Parker received $500 to purchase microscopes.
Heather Romrell of Teton Elementary received $500 to fund a science geography project.
Cooper Morgan of Sandcreek Middle School in Idaho Falls received $500 to attend the National Science Teachers Association Conference.
Twin Falls/Magic Valley
Patricia Hardcastle of Sawtooth Elementary in Twin Falls received $450 to fund a science fair.
Angela Heiner of Burley High School received $500 to purchase 3-D modeling equipment.
McKinsey Rodriguez of Jerome Middle School received $480 to purchase electronic equipment.
Sara Tolman of Kimberly Middle School received $404.99 to purchase physical science equipment.
Boise/Treasure Valley
Kayla Blackstock of Homedale Elementary received $500 to purchase STEM bags.
Melyssa Ferro of Syringa Middle School in Caldwell received $500 to attend a teacher workshop.
Kellie Taylor of Galileo STEM Academy in Eagle received $500 to purchase robotics equipment.
