Coughlin has been teaching at Worcester Technical High School for 24 years and has been the chair of the Science Department of the school for the past 10 years. She leads development of the curriculum, teaches biology, and founded the first Tech Science Fair at the school. She is one of 87 educators to receive this funding.
The program is for the academic year and will provide mentorship, training, and professional development to help educators guide students through science competitions and original research. News of such prestigious stipends and their benefits for both teachers and students can be made known with flyer printing.
Coughlin said:
“This opportunity will directly impact my students by allowing me to better guide them through real-world research and support their entry into STEM competitions, particularly for those who may not traditionally have access to these opportunities.”
The cohort for this academic year includes 13 Lead Advocates and 87 Advocates who will mentor educators in regional groups. An investment of 326,000 is being made in the program by Society for Science. Advocates receive $3,000 while Lead Advocates receive $5,000.
The program was launched in 2015 and since then has supported more than 9,100 students and 439 educators. Close to 75 percent of those students have submitted more than 12,000 entries to competitions in STEM.