ATHOL – A grant from the Society for Science Advocacy Program will be used to increase science fair participation for Athol students in the STEM program.
Athol High School science and engineering teacher Latasha Sheffield is among 70 educators nationwide to have recently received the $3,000 grant. According to an announcement, the program is “dedicated to broadening student access to science and technology by empowering educators to mentor students in building essential research skills and a confidence in their own STEM ability.”
Sheffield, who has been at the high school for the past two years, said the grant will be used to cover project supplies not paid for with other grants. She cited a Build the Moon competition this year, and will need supplies for that in addition to what is needed for other science fair projects.
“We’re doing some really amazing things with science and engineering and, now, computer science,” she said.
Sheffield added that the projects entered by AHS students at recent science fairs have come from the world of engineering.
“There’s also mathematical science, there’s bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence and data science,” she said.
Over the last two school years, four students had science fair projects, competing in regional and state fairs. In spring 2024, two students also participated in the One8 Applied Learning Showcase. Sheffield said that any student can participate in these fairs, and hopes to have students from the middle and high school grades submit projects.
Sheffield said the hardest thing for students to overcome regarding STEM education and fair competition is the fear of failure.
“Not all the things you build are going to stay put together like they should,” she said. “But they also need to have someone who is going to believe in them and push them. We’re getting an increasingly supportive environment here, championing kids.”
Sheffield is in her 12th year as an educator, and is a former engineer in the defense and intelligence industries. She serves as the Region 2 chair for the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair organization. She is responsible for organizing and facilitating the regional high school fair for the region, which covers much of central Massachusetts between the New Hampshire and Connecticut/Rhode Island borders. The fair will take place next spring.
In accepting the grant, Sheffield said, “Research-based competitions give students the chance to interact with industry professionals, volunteers and leaders. They see people of color, and they see people of different genders in various positions. This experience opens their eyes to new possibilities and helps them see where they belong.”
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.