FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 17, 2025

ATLANTA | Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones announced that Dr. John H. Heard Elementary School is an award recipient of the 2025 NLGA Lt. Governors STEM Scholarship Program. NLGA will award the school $1,000 as part of a national call for applications for funding STEM programming and curriculum in schools. 

"Hands-on learning experiences are essential for fostering early interest in STEM education, equipping students with problem-solving and creative thinking skills that prepare them for future careers and Georgia’s workforce," said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. "The innovative approach at Heard Elementary to address real-world challenges using STEM principles will leave a lasting impact on students, and I am glad that NLGA funding will contribute to these efforts."

Heard Elementary, an academic magnet school, utilizes project-based learning to introduce students to STEAM concepts. Each grade level undertakes yearlong learning units addressing various aspects of the question, "How can we help solve the hunger and homelessness problem in Bibb County?" The STEM Scholarship funding will enable the purchase of curricula and supplies, supporting students as they explore solutions such as growing crops, composting, raising animals, and more.

NLGA opened the application period for the STEM Scholarship Program in January 2025. The application process was competitive, with NLGA receiving more than 125 requests for STEM funding from schools in 32 states and territories. Twelve schools in 12 states and territories were awarded $500 - $1,000 for STEM-related expenses. 

“As the seconds-in-command in state and territorial government, lieutenant governors are uniquely poised to lead on STEM education,” said NLGA Executive Director Kellie Rittershausen. “By supporting STEM-related activities in schools across the country, we can encourage a long-term interest and passion in STEM education in America’s youth.”

The Scholarship Program is administered by NLGA, the nonpartisan, nonprofit association for the nation’s seconds-in-command, and sponsored by ACT, the education and career readiness nonprofit. 

“ACT is proud to have been the sponsor of the NLGA STEM scholarship program since its inception and to see its growth and impact over the past 4 years,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said. “STEM education is crucial for our country’s future workforce which will be increasingly reliant on the critical thinking and problem-solving skills it fosters, regardless of a student’s college or career pathway.  ACT is uniquely poised to meet this moment, and working alongside NLGA, we are committed to ensuring that all students leave high school prepared to enter a world of evolving postsecondary and work opportunities, including those for which a high-quality STEM education are essential.”

Public, private, and tribal schools serving pre-K – 12th grade students in the 50 states and five U.S. territories were invited to apply for funding to support STEM-related activities, programming, curriculum, equipment, and other expenses. Funding will be provided to all winning schools in May.    

Additional information on the STEM Scholarship Program can be found at https://nlga.us/strategies/nlga-state-strategies-in-stem.

Contact

Policy and Communications Director Ines Owens

[email protected]