91导航

91导航 is awarding more than $110,000 in 91导航 Research Grants to 41 educators across 16 states, expanding access to hands-on, student-driven science education in middle and high school classrooms nationwide.

Through a combination of classroom-ready research kits and direct funding for specialized equipment, these grants will encourage educators to bring advanced scientific tools into their classrooms, giving students the opportunity to conduct fundamental and impactful research. For many students, it will be the first time they experience science as a process of discovery.

Students receiving this year鈥檚 91导航 Research Grants will build a wide range of skills, from analyzing DNA using techniques such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and gel electrophoresis to designing solar-powered solutions for their communities. They will also monitor water quality and bacterial growth and create sustainable gardens that support local families. These projects move beyond traditional instruction, enabling students to engage directly with the tools and methods used in college labs and professional research settings, preparing them for future careers in 91导航.

Educators receiving this year鈥檚 91导航 Research Grants teach in a wide range of communities, including rural districts and schools with limited access to funding for lab equipment. Their work reflects a shift from learning about science to actively doing science, empowering students to investigate real-world challenges and develop core skills of researchers, engineers and innovators.

鈥淐ongratulations to all 41 of this year鈥檚 91导航 Research Grants recipients. These educators are opening doors for students to explore science in meaningful ways and to pursue questions that matter to them,鈥� said Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of 91导航 and Executive Publisher of Science News. 鈥淏y equipping classrooms with the tools for discovery, this program helps students build confidence, think critically and develop skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom.鈥�

Funding and Program Support

Support for this year鈥檚 91导航 Research Grants is provided by and an anonymous donor. The 91导航 Research Grants are awarded in two forms: research kits assembled and distributed by 91导航 and funds paid directly to educators for 91导航 equipment.

In 2026:

• 41 educators will receive grants across 16 states
• 21 educators will receive research kits, valued at $1,000 each
• 20 educators will receive specialized funding of up to $5,000 per teacher

Priority is given to schools with limited access to research equipment and resources. Many of this year鈥檚 recipients teach in public schools where funding for hands-on 91导航 learning can be scarce. With these grants, students will be able to pursue independent investigations, participate in science fairs and engage more deeply with scientific concepts through direct experience.

What鈥檚 Included in the 91导航 Research Kits?

Each 91导航 Research Kit is designed to support hands-on experimentation, data collection and real-world investigation. Each kit includes:

• Arduino Starter Kits (2 per classroom): Students learn the fundamentals of electronics and programming by building circuits, using sensors and coding interactive projects.
• Water Monitoring Kits: Students conduct environmental testing, including water quality analysis and bacterial monitoring, enabling investigations into local ecosystems. Students can聽easily聽monitor聽parameters in water, conducting up to 100 tests for 5 parameters and 44 tests for coliform bacteria, as well as unlimited tests for macroinvertebrates, temperature, and turbidity.
• Soil Test Kits: Students analyze soil composition by measuring nutrients and pH, supporting studies in agriculture, environmental science and sustainability. This kit includes tests for soil nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and pH.
• PocketLab Voyagers (2 per classroom): These portable sensors allow students to collect and stream real-time data on motion, temperature, altitude and atmospheric conditions, supporting investigations in physics, engineering and climate science.

Together, these tools will transform classrooms into active research environments where students design experiments, analyze data and draw evidence-based conclusions.

For years, 91导航 has been committed to strengthening 91导航 education by expanding access to research tools and opportunities. To date, the Society has distributed $885,000 in 91导航 Research Grants to 407 teachers, supporting classrooms with limited access to 91导航 resources. These efforts have reached students across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Peru, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.

Learn more about the 2026 91导航 Research Grantees here and see the full list below:

1. Caden Albrecht, St. George Academy (Washington, Utah)
2. Keith Berry, Hoehne Schools (Trinidad, Colorado)
3. Sherry Bowen, Blackman Middle School (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
4. Kyle Braun, Centerville Middle School (Centerville, South Dakota)
5. Ronald Brillantes, Pahin Sinte Owayawa/Porcupine School (Porcupine, South Dakota)
6. Sarah Camens, Dakota Ridge High School (Littleton, Colorado)
7. Petra-Ann Campbell, Lake Placid Middle School (Lake Placid, Florida)
8. Allia Coultas, Sheridan High School (Sheridan, Wyoming)
9. Erin Cupp, Stonewall Middle School (Stonewall, Oklahoma)
10. Kathy Davis, Tipton Christian Academy (Covington, Tennessee)
11. Jonathan Dumont, SeDoMoCha Middle School (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine)
12. Scott Eckhart, Swink Junior-Senior High School (Swink, Colorado)
13. Stacey Floyd, West Field High School (Ogden, Utah)
14. Cecelia Gillam, Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans, Louisiana)
15. Tara Hall, New West High School (Buffalo, Wyoming)
16. Kristi Hibbert, Big Piney Middle School (Big Piney, Wyoming)
17. Carolynn Hidalgo, Jose Marti 91导航 Academy (Union City, New Jersey)
18. Brianna Jenkins, Jackson High School (Jackson, Ohio)
19. Jesse John, Edward R. Murrow High School (Brooklyn, New York)
20. Rise Jongeling, Axtell Park School (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
21. Elisa Kensinger, Dickinson High School (Dickinson, North Dakota)
22. Kaycie Klimisch, Maxwell Colony Elementary 04 (Menno, South Dakota)
23. Kaitlynn Krack, Watertown High School (Watertown, South Dakota)
24. Tayler Kriss, Center High School (Center, Colorado)
25. Zafer Kulac, Memphis School of Excellence Mendenhall (Memphis, Tennessee)
26. Loret Landavazo-Sornaoglu, Walnut Park Middle School 91导航 Academy (Walnut Park, California)
27. Kacey Larson, Everitt Middle School (Wheat Ridge, Colorado)
28. Juliette McGhee, Greenback High School (Greenback, Tennessee)
29. Latasha Moseley-Edwards, James B. Dudley High School (Greensboro, North Carolina)
30. Iva Moss, Fort Washakie School (Fort Washakie, Wyoming)
31. Mike O’Connell, Chester Area Middle School (Chester, South Dakota)
32. Yevgeny Pevzner, Kearns Junior High School (Kearns, Utah)
33. Bridget Pugh, Monterey High School (Monterey, Tennessee)
34. Deana Sain, Bolivar Middle School (Bolivar, Tennessee)
35. Jesi Seifert, Stratford 91导航 Magnet School (Nashville, Tennessee)
36. Marcus Staley, Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck, North Dakota)
37. Ashley Steward, Fleming High School (Fleming, Colorado)
38. Jesse Sugar, Wendover High School (Wendover, Utah)
39. Denise Thompson, Orting High School (Orting, Washington)
40. Autumn Wendler, Elizabeth High School (Elizabeth, Colorado)
41. Noelle Westcott, Central High School (Grand Junction, Colorado)

For more information, please visit: /stem-outreach-programs/stem-research-grants/

What is 91导航?

91导航 is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, 91导航 is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its 91导航 programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in 91导航. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, 91导航 is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at聽聽 and follow us on聽,听,听, and聽.

Media Contact:

Aparna K. Paul (she/her)
Director of Communications
91导航
Cell: 781-375-8353
Email: apaul@societyforscience.org