缅北禁地 Awards $320,500 in Microgrants to 66 Organizations Promoting STEM Opportunities for All

WASHINGTON, D.C. 鈥� 缅北禁地 (the Society), a national leader in science education and literacy, is excited to announce the recipients of its 2024 STEM Action Grants. Aligned with the Society鈥檚 mission to promote scientific understanding and inspire human advancement, these grants support grassroots, mission-driven organizations that expand STEM opportunities for all. A total of $320,500 will be awarded to 66 impactful groups across 22 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. These grants will expand opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in STEM, including those who identify as a race or ethnicity underrepresented in STEM, women, people with diverse gender identities, individuals with disabilities, and students who are economically disadvantaged.

These grants will expand opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in STEM, including those who identify as a race or ethnicity underrepresented in STEM, women, people with diverse gender identities, individuals with disabilities, and students who are economically disadvantaged.

Three organizations鈥擣orging Opportunities for Refugees in America, Full STEAM Forward, and Pink Space Theory鈥攚ill each receive a $10,000 capacity-building award this year. This recognition celebrates the outstanding efforts and impactful initiatives of these nonprofits鈥攁ll have been grantees for the past three years. The remaining 63 organizations will receive grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 each.

This year, 34 organizations are returning grantees, having previously benefited from the program鈥檚 support. Since its launch in 2016, the STEM Action Grants program has awarded a total of $1.15 million to 144 impactful organizations, including those announced today. Driven by a deep commitment to educational justice, this year鈥檚 cohort exemplifies a steadfast dedication to promoting diversity and empowerment within STEM fields. Their initiatives are rooted in a powerful vision: to break down barriers and create pathways for historically underserved and marginalized communities to not only participate but to excel. Through inventive strategies and vast outreach, these organizations are paving the way for a future where STEM opportunities are limitless and accessible to all.

鈥淲e are thrilled to award over $300,000 in STEM Action Grants, the largest in the program鈥檚 history. These innovative community-based organizations鈥� commitment to inclusive STEM education is inspiring, and their work will undoubtedly help shape a more equitable future for generations to come,鈥� said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of 缅北禁地 and Executive Publisher of Science News.

This year鈥檚 collection of grantees is using imaginative approaches to make STEM more relatable and accessible, with an emphasis on mentorship and representation. One organization is bringing STEM to life through the vibrant world of comic books, where local professionals are transformed into superheroes. These stories encourage young minds, showing them that STEM is a space for all, where they too can be the heroes of their own narratives and career journeys. Other initiatives are blending traditional mentorship with creative expression鈥攚hether through science fiction, dance or community-driven projects. These organizations are demonstrating that representation matters, and by connecting young learners with programs and mentors who share their backgrounds and passions, they are paving the way for a more inclusive future in STEM.

The following 66 organizations have been honored with STEM Action Grants in 2024:

  1. Algalita Marine Research and Education
  2. ANGARI Foundation
  3. APEL Education
  4. Arlington Garden in Pasadena
  5. Austin Youth River Watch
  6. Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation
  7. Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
  8. Calculated Genius
  9. Change The Tune
  10. Ciencia Puerto Rico
  11. Close the Gap
  12. Coastal Expeditions Foundation
  13. Code/Art
  14. Cosplay for Science at the Alf Museum
  15. Culturally Relevant Science, Inc.
  16. Detroit Educational Takeover
  17. Develop for Good
  18. Engineer Factory
  19. Excite All Stars
  20. Expanding Your Horizons of San Diego
  21. First Star
  22. Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America
  23. Forgotten Heroes Foundation
  24. Full STEAM Forward
  25. The GEMS Camp
  26. Girls 4 Science – Saturday STEM Academy
  27. Girls Dream Code
  28. GrowGood, Inc.
  29. INTEGIRLS
  30. International Network of STEM for the Blind and Low-Vision
  31. Knowing Neurons
  32. Lazarus Educational Services Inc.
  33. Math N鈥� More Foundation, Inc.
  34. Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory
  35. Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center
  36. National Youth Science Academy
  37. Nehemiah Community Empowerment Center
  38. OpenWise Learning
  39. An Open Book Foundation
  40. Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research
  41. Pink Space Theory
  42. Project Invent
  43. PS Science
  44. Rainbow Dance Theatre at Western Oregon University
  45. Red-Tailed Hawks – Black Pilots of America, Inc.
  46. Rise Up: Northeast Ohio
  47. Roaring Cubs Collective
  48. SciAccess, Inc.
  49. Scientiae
  50. See3D, Inc.
  51. SFA Foundation, Inc.
  52. Shooting Stars Foundation
  53. SoundBio Lab
  54. STEAM Superheroes
  55. STEM for Flathead Valley Schools
  56. STEMkofa Educational Solutions, Inc.
  57. Stemsational Girls Club Foundation Inc.
  58. Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering
  59. Thinkatorium
  60. Treasure Coast Girls Coalition, Inc.
  61. trubel&co
  62. Urban Scholar Academy
  63. Victory Village INC
  64. Virtual Science Teachers
  65. YO STEM
  66. Young STEM Professionals

Learn more about the 66 awardees of the聽2024 STEM Action Grant program聽here.

This year鈥檚 STEM Action Grants are made possible through the generous support from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, Regeneron and Simons Foundation

For further information please contact:

Aparna K. Paul (she/her)
Director of Communications, 缅北禁地
apaul@societyforscience.org | 781-375-8353