Appalachian GEAR UP has partnered with Society for Science to launch the Western North Carolina Research Fellows Program. This program will build a STEM educator community focused on increasing student pathways to authentic research opportunities among GEAR UP middle schools in western North Carolina. This year-long, cohort-based professional learning model facilitates peer-to-peer collaboration and collective problem solving, while empowering 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 and eventually build a robust and self-sustaining local STEM ecosystem in the region that is tied to and supported by the Society for Science’s national STEM research community.
Eligibility
- Must be a teacher in a GEAR UP School in one of the following counties in North Carolina: Graham, Clay, Swain, Cherokee Central, Transylvania, Macon, Madison, Polk, McDowell, Catawba, Jackson, Burke
- Must have interest in enhancing classroom instruction through student-led research
Meet the 2025–2026 Western NC Research Fellows
Ambassador: Allyson McFalls, Educator, Boone, NC
Lead Fellows: Christy Arrowood, Educator, Morganton, NC & Gareth Wilkinson, Educator, Franklin, NC
Research Fellows:
Kelly DelGatto Liberty Middle School Burke County Schools | Melissa Painchaud Arndt Middle School Catawba County Schools |
Adam Dibert Brevard Middle School Transylvania County Schools | Cristy Price Madison County Middle School Madison County Schools |
Amanda Hall Cullowhee Valley School Jackson County Schools | Marissa Robinson East McDowell Middle School McDowell County Schools |
Heather Herron Swain County Middle School Swain County Middle Schools | Brittany Schiele Blue Ridge Early College Jackson County Schools |
Susan Higdon West McDowell Middle School McDowell County Schools | Silvia Sikaffy Table Rock Middle School Burke County Schools |
Scarlett Lackey River Bend Middle School Catawba County Schools | Michelle Simpson East McDowell Middle School McDowell County Schools |
Samantha Langley River Bend Middle School Catawba County Schools | Raymond Szpara Macon County Middle School Macon County Schools |
Kristin Menickelli Cullowhee Valley School Jackson County Schools | Susan Wyatt Rosman Middle School Transylvania County Schools |
