Western NC STEM Research Ambassador Application

Society for Science is running a Western North Carolina Research Fellows Program funded through Appalachian State University GEAR UP by the U.S. Department of Education (award #P334A240077).

This program will build a STEM educator community that is focused on increasing student pathways to authentic research opportunities among GearUp middle schools in western North Carolina. This year-long, cohort-based professional learning model facilitates peer-to-peer collaboration and collective problem solving and empowers teachers to create effective, engaging STEM learning opportunities tailored to the needs and circumstances of their students. The program will increase opportunities for students to do authentic STEM research and to participate in science fair in western North Carolina.

The Western North Carolina STEM Research Ambassador will be selected from individuals who are well-versed and embedded in the western North Carolina school community and able to assess the needs, preferences, and barriers to engagement of western NC educators. They will also have extensive experience with and knowledge of teaching STEM research design and supporting students in entering science fair competitions. They will provide strategic support in helping teachers augment existing STEM and research curricula with the Society for Science’s STEM outreach programs and student research competitions.

The western NC Research Ambassador and two Lead Fellows will support two Fellow cohorts of up to twenty western NC teachers in developing programming goals centered around expanding their content knowledge of research and experimental design, developing and implementing authentic research experiences with students, and building infrastructure to provide research opportunities for students in the future. The Ambassador will run a one-day workshop hosted in western North Carolina to launch the program that will be used to establish the Fellow cohorts and set individual goals for each Fellow for the year. Each cohort will be guided by a Lead Fellow who will coordinate logistics and programming for the cohort throughout the year and will in turn be supported by the Ambassador. The Ambassador and Lead Fellows will present about their cohort experience, outcomes and impact at the 2026 Academic Innovation Conference, or other related, local conference.

The Ambassador and Lead Fellows will attend the Society for Science’s national Research Teacher Conference from October 3 through 5 in Washington, DC to learn from and engage with the national STEM research teacher community. The conference will provide the Ambassador and Lead Fellows with the opportunity to connect with STEM and research teachers from all over the country to broaden their resource networks and learn about Society for Science programs and competitions. By attending conference sessions led by expert research teachers, the Ambassador and Lead Fellows will acquire new ideas, resources, and potentially even virtual presenters to share with their cohort Fellows during cohort meetings. Their attendance at the national conference will enhance and broaden their ability to support their cohorts throughout the year.

Scope of work:

Help to manage the recruitment and registration process for all annual Fellows
With support from Society for Science, plan, organize and run a local in-person, one-day workshop for program Fellows to meet their cohort, learn research teaching strategies, and set program goals
Attend and support the virtual monthly cohort meetings for each cohort of Fellows
Plan and set regular calls with Society for Science staff
Review all Fellow reports and collaborate with Society for Science staff around the progress of Lead Fellows and other cohort Fellows
Oversee the project’s progress throughout the year, ensuring deliverables by the end of the year
Create two program report summaries in December 2025 and July 2026
Attend Society for Science’s Research Teachers Conference from October 3 to October 5, 2025, to learn from a national community of research educators (all expenses are paid)
Present about the program experience, outcomes and impact at the 2026 Academic Innovation Conference, or other related, local conference
Become well-versed in programming and resources of Society for Science to support western North Carolina schools and help promote opportunities to a larger network of educators
Build meaningful relationships with North Carolina superintendents, district STEM coordinators, science fair directors, teachers, and students to expand access and participation in authentic student research and the Society’s other STEM education programming
Identify and collaborate with relevant STEM organizations or universities and other STEM non-profits to discuss potential partnerships to support STEM educators with building authentic student research opportunities

Position Logistics

This is a part-time, 12-month independent contractor role that will be paid $15,000 through August of 2026 with the possibility of contract extension. This role is fully remote from the Society for Science’s Washington DC office; however, the contractor must live in or near western North Carolina. Up to $3,000 for mileage, lodging, meals, and conference-related fees will be reimbursed. This role will also have all expenses paid for a trip to Washington DC to attend the Society for Science’s national Middle School Research Teachers Conference from October 3 to 5, 2025.

Competencies:

Strong communications skills (written and oral)
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to think creatively
Strong presentation skills
Demonstrated ability to work with others as a team, to multi-task and to be a self-starter
Affinity for serving rural North Carolina classrooms in STEM education and research

Prior Education and Experience:

Required:

Undergraduate degree and a minimum of 5 years work experience in STEM education or research in North Carolina
Experience with conducting research or facilitating or mentoring student research
Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Live in western North Carolina and be able to travel, as needed, around the region to different GEAR UP schools/districts

Desirable:

A degree in education or a STEM field
Experience with creating STEM middle and/or high school curricula
Experience with running professional development for educators
Experience with classroom teaching
Experience with Society for Science Education Programs or Competitions
Experience with North Carolina’s STEM curricula
Experience with North Carolina’s science fair structure

Prior Education and Experience:

Required:

Undergraduate degree and a minimum of 5 years work experience in STEM education or research in North Carolina
Experience with conducting research or facilitating or mentoring student research
Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Live in western North Carolina and be able to travel, as needed, around the region to different GEAR UP schools/districts

Desirable:

A degree in education or a STEM field
Experience with creating STEM middle and/or high school curricula
Experience with running professional development for educators
Experience with classroom teaching
Experience with Society for Science Education Programs or Competitions
Experience with North Carolina’s STEM curricula
Experience with North Carolina’s science fair structure

Apply by Friday, September 5, 2025 for consideration.

First Name

Last Name

Your Current Role or Title

School or Organization Name

School or Organization Address

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School or Organization State

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School or Organization County

In what capacity have you or do you currently work with students?

Explain why the Western NC STEM Research Ambassador position interests you, and why you are a good fit for the role.

How have you engaged students in authentic research experiences in the past? Describe the value of providing independent research opportunities to a greater number of western North Carolina students.

What type of professional development would you want to include in the one-day workshop to launch the Fellow cohorts for the program year?

Have you participated in the Society's other programs or competitions? Select all that apply.

Attended the Advocate Institute as part of the Advocate ProgramReceived a Research Grant or a STEM Action GrantAttended the Research Teachers ConferenceAttended ISEF as part of an official party Mentored students to apply to any of these Society competitions: Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC), Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) or Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)No, I have not participated in a Society for Science affiliated program.

Describe your familiarity with Society for Science Education Programs and Student Competitions. How could you see these national programs and competitions be used to support western North Carolina teachers and students?

Are you able to attend the Society's Research Teachers Conference in Washington, D.C. from October 3 to October 5, 2025 (all of your expenses will be paid)?

YesNo

By submitting this form, I am applying to be a Western NC STEM Research Ambassador for the 2025-2026 program year. I understand the eligibility requirements, funding and incentives of the position, and, if selected, I will work with program staff to achieve the goals for this program.

Yes

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