Battelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC (BSRA), the manager and operator of Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) awarded $125,000 in SRNL K-12 Catalyst Grants for STEM Education to Central Savannah River Area schools to advance activities and programs relating to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Grants of $2,500, or $5,000 were awarded to 30 teachers from 25 different schools within the Georgia counties of Burke, Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond, and in the South Carolina counties of Aiken, Barnwell, Edgefield and Orangeburg, during a reception Aug. 22 at Newberry Hall in Aiken, South Carolina. The Battelle Foundation Fund at The Columbus Foundation provided funding for the grants, which will impact more than 6,500 students in the CSRA this year.

“At SRNL, we put science, engineering, technology and math to work every day, and we are committed to fostering the next generation of innovators and scientists,” said BSRA President and SRNL Laboratory Director Vahid Majidi.  “These grants will empower educators to bring their visionary projects to life, igniting curiosity and passion in their students. This initiative is about inspiring young minds to explore, discover and ultimately lead the way in advancing science and technology of the future.” 

An impartial panel of SRNL scientists, engineers and leaders judged each grant submission based on a K-12 Catalyst Grant Rubric with the following six categories:

1. Clear description of the project
2. Real-world application
3. Connection to STEM curriculum
4. Purpose and goals
5. Budget description
6. Sharing – how lessons will be shared

The names of teachers and schools were omitted from the selection process and the judges graded each project submission using only the rubric’s six categories. 

The grants will fund myriad STEM-educated projects, including those relating to robotics, the environment, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, 3-D printing, radio electronic and satellite technology, astronomy, agriculture, biotechnology and civil engineering. 

Central Savannah River Area schools receiving grants include:  

The SRNL K-12 Catalyst Grants for STEM Education is one portion of SRNL’s educational outreach efforts.  In addition to the grants, SRNL offers:

• Behind the Science Virtual Tours - A Behind the Science Virtual Tour takes students on immersive adventures, exploring the scientific wonders and essential business functions of SRNL from the comfort of their own classroom seats.  Students also have the opportunity to ask SRNL staff questions in a live Q&A session. Virtual tours are available for those in grades 6-12 from October through March.  
• Nuclear Science and National Engineers Weeks - During Nuclear Science Week in October and National Engineers Week in February, exclusive STEM kits are available for teachers to delve into these fields. The STEM kits are designed to introduce students to nuclear science and engineering through interactive activities, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of STEM. STEM kits are delivered to each participating schools and teachers.
• Interactive Classroom and Community Demonstrations - SRNL volunteers work closely with educators across the CSRA to deliver captivating interactive demonstrations and career conversations throughout the school year. These experts engage students with captivating experiments, leaving lasting memories and igniting students’ passion for learning.  

To receive updates about SRNL educational outreach opportunities - virtual tours, STEM kits, interactive STEM demonstrations – visit https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7414269/SRNL-in-the-Classroom.