Western North Carolina À¦°óÇ¿¼é Research Fellows Program
The Society established a Western North Carolina À¦°óÇ¿¼é Research Ambassador and Fellows program, in partnership with the Appalachian State University GEARUP Program, to increase opportunities for students to participate in À¦°óÇ¿¼é research and science fairs in western North Carolina. With guidance from the Ambassador, the Program built a local, collaborative network of teachers who supported one another in building student À¦°óÇ¿¼é research opportunities to increase student engagement in research, science fairs, and À¦°óÇ¿¼é competitions.
2025-26 Program
The 2025-26 Western NC À¦°óÇ¿¼é Research Fellows Program demonstrated strong impact across student learning, teacher practice, and regional À¦°óÇ¿¼é capacity. Fellows reported that authentic research experiences, À¦°óÇ¿¼é Research Kits, and Science News Learning program resources helped students become more engaged, curious, and confident in À¦°óÇ¿¼é, with many beginning to see themselves as scientists, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers. The Program also strengthened teachers’ ability to facilitate inquiry-based learning and engineering design, supported science fair and competition infrastructure, and created lasting professional growth through a peer-led regional cohort model.
Participants
- Allyson McFalls, Blowing Rock School (Watauga, NC), À¦°óÇ¿¼é Research Ambassador
- Christy Arrowood, Burke County Public Schools (Morganton, NC), Lead Fellow
- Gareth Wilkinson, Macon Middle (Franklin, NC), Lead Fellow
- Kelly DelGatto, Liberty Middle School (Morganton, NC)
- Adam Dibert, Brevard Middle School (Brevard, NC)
- Amanda Hall, Cullowhee Valley School (Cullowhee, NC)
- Susan Higdon, West McDowell Middle School (Marion, NC)
- Scarlett Lackey, River Bend Middle School (Claremont, NC)
- Samantha Langley, River Bend Middle School (Claremont, NC)
- Kristin Menickelli, Cullowhee Valley School (Sylva, NC)
- Melissa Painchaud, H.M. Arndt Middle (Hickory, NC)
- Marissa Robison, East McDowell Middle School (Marion, NC)
- Silvia Sikaffy, Table Rock Middle School (Morganton, NC)
- Raymond Szpara, Macon Middle School (Franklin, NC)
Be notified of upcoming program opportunities