Heather Febres, a teacher from Pershing K-8 School in Orlando, Florida, is among nine teachers from eight states 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.
“The skills and knowledge gained through STEM are crucial in equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving world,” said Orlando teacher Heather Febres. “By fostering an interest in STEM fields, we are empowering our students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and develop innovative solutions. We are helping to build the change-makers of tomorrow.”
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 was hosted by The Gatton Academy from May 26th to June 1st on the campus of WKU in Bowling Green, Kentucky:
- Katie Duff, Manhattan, Illinois – Manhattan Junior High School
- Heather Febres, Orlando, Florida – Pershing K-8 School
- Angela Kopp, Overland Park, Kansas – Holy Cross Catholic School
- Bridget McDonald, Katy, Texas – Beckendorff Junior High School
- Sarah Nelson Wiese, Omaha, Nebraska – Bryan Middle School
- Samantha Poll, Hampden, Maine – Samuel L. Wagner Middle School
- Nicole Slowik, Vestavia Hills, Alabama – Liberty Park Middle School
- Kourtney Taylor, Stanford, Kentucky – Lincoln County Middle School
- Eliza Vela, San Antonio, Texas – 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.
“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,” said Dr. Paula Grisanti, CEO of the National Stem Cell Foundation. “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.”
“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,” said Dr. Julia Link Roberts, Executive Director of The Gatton Academy. “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.
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.
