The Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) honored 29 educators from Georgia and South Carolina with the 2025 K-12 Catalyst Grants for STEM Education. The grants, totaling $125,000, were sponsored by Battelle's Columbus Foundation and were awarded to teachers for innovative classroom projects that focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The grants were created by a former teacher to encourage hands-on, creative problem-solving in classrooms within the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). The grant amounts were either $2,500 or $5,000, and recipients were selected through a blind review process from a pool of 83 applicants. This year's winners included 19 teachers from Georgia and 10 from South Carolina, with projects ranging from robotics to environmental science.

Dr. Johney Green, SRNL Director, emphasized the importance of these educators, stating, "When we invest in teachers, we invest in our community’s future and the discoveries that will keep our nation strong."

Since 2022, SRNL has awarded $375,000 in STEM education grants to local teachers. Applications for the K-12 Catalyst Grants will open again in February 2026.

The following is a list of the 2025 grant recipients and their award amounts:

• Abbey Goldin, Buford Middle School - $5,000

• Amy Wheeler, Lincoln County High School - $2,500

• Amy Catlett, Grovetown High School - $5,000

• April Tomkinson, Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle School - $5,000

• Arielle Chavis, W. S. Hornsby Elementary School - $5,000

• Ashley Cutler, Brookwood Elementary School - $5,000

• Ashley Exantus, AR Johnson Magnet - $5,000

• Christine Walcott, New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet - $2,500

• Danielle Altringer, South Aiken High School - $5,000

• David Phillips, Greenbrier Middle - $5,000

• Erica Cox, Blue Ridge Elementary - $5,000

• Erin Panter, Fannin County Middle School - $2,500

• Heather Barnes, Belair Middle School - $5,000

• Heather Wilkinson, Brookwood Elementary School - $5,000

• Jeannie Simmons, Chukker Creek Elementary - $5,000

• Kari Keck, Aiken Elementary School - $2,500

• Kendra Browning, Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics - $2,500

• Kim Stone, Creek Bridge STEM Academy - $5,000

• LaTasha Heath, John M Tutt Middle School - $5,000

• Lindsay Girosky, Savannah River Academy - $2,500

• Melissa Kidd, Tall Pines STEM Academy - $5,000

• Nicole Moss, Evans High School - $5,000

• Samantha Rapp, Stevens Creek Elementary School - $5,000

• Shalonda McCullus, Burke County Middle School - $5,000

• Shaunta Taylor, Bayvale Elementary - $5,000

• Stephany Griffin, Tall Pines STEM Academy - $5,000

• Sydney Thirkettle, Joseph R Pye Elementary School - $2,500

• Valerie McGahee, Jackson STEM Magnet Middle School - $5,000

• Valery Dinkins, Martinez Elementary School - $2,500