Society for Science & the Public’s Advocate Grant Program

• What: Training, $3,000 stipend, and paid trip to Washington, D.C., for a weekend training
• Who: Individual teachers, scientists, counselors, or mentors to serve as an advocate for at least 3  underserved students
• Funded by: Arconic Foundation, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, and Regeneron
• Application deadline: March 4, 2020

Many students doing science research – particularly those from underrepresented populations in STEM – are unaware of the myriad of opportunities they can attain by submitting their work to competitions.

Just completing the rigorous application process can inspire confidence in their scientific abilities and lead them to consider a STEM career. Moreover, many competitions provide monetary awards for post-secondary education and can boost a student’s chance of acceptance into the college or university of their choice.

The Society for Science & the Public, which oversees the world’s top science research competitions for middle and high school students and publishes Science News, seeks to expand STEM opportunities through its Advocate Grant Program.

The program provides a $3,000 stipend and training for teachers, scientists, mentors, counselors or other individuals to serve as an advocate and helping a minimum of three underserved students transition from conducting scientific or engineering research (science fair-type) projects to completing applications to scientific competitions. Advocates also are brought to Washington, D.C. for a face-to-face weekend workshop.

Learn more about the program and types of advocates, from newbies to experienced mentors, HERE.

For eligibility information and to apply for the Advocate Grant Program, click here. Advocates must already have a formal role with students completing research projects. Read favorite memories from five past Advocates. For an example of the impact that Advocates have had, watch this video from Fred Feraco at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Md.

Application Deadline:  March 4, 2020

WWHS Science Research Program 2019-2020 from fred feraco on Vimeo.

Photo: Society Advocates (center) show students an elephant toothpaste experiment at the 2017 Advocate Trainin

Filed under: For Teachers, K-12 Outreach Programs, Special Features, Web Resources

Tags: mentor, Professional Development, Programs for Teachers, Scholarships and Fellowships, Society for Science and the Public, STEM Advocate Grant, STEM education, Teacher Training, underserved students