Two state teachers part of STEM effort

The Society for Science & the Public recently announced plans to award $100,000 in STEM research kits to 100 science research teachers across the country, including two in Arkansas.

The Arkansas educators are Chris Luckey, a science and engineering teacher at Little Rock’s Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, and Tuwana Thomas, a physical science and chemistry teacher at Dollarway High School.

The teachers will each choose from a selection of 13 science, technology, engineering and mathematics research or STEM kits that are intended to encourage students to pursue hands-on, project-based science research in the home environment.

The kits, which include items such as PocketLab Weather Sensors and paper microscopes, are distributed through the society’s STEM Research Grants program. Priority in selecting recipients was given to teachers in schools that serve low-income areas.

“In the last 10 months, STEM teachers have had to completely overhaul learning. It has been particularly difficult to move hands-on research and project-based learning, such as science labs, to a virtual environment without the appropriate equipment and materials,” said Maya Ajmera, president and chief executive officer of the Society for Science & the Public and publisher of Science News.

“By providing teachers and students with STEM research kits and equipment, we hope to accelerate STEM learning and spark a curiosity in science and engineering topics, despite current circumstances,” Ajmera said.