Appalachian GEAR UP Partnership, housed within the Office of Rural Promise at Appalachian State University, is excited to announce a partnership with the Society for Science to launch the Western North Carolina Research Fellows Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to expand student-lead research opportunities for middle school students across rural western North Carolina.
The year-long fellowship brings together educators from 10 Appalachian GEAR UP districts — including Burke, Catawba, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Swain, and Transylvania counties — to strengthen classroom instruction through student-led inquiry and experimental design.
“I would love to help grow a more intentional network like this to support teachers in Western NC. As a teacher who loves mentoring fellow educators, whether young beginning teachers or veteran teachers tackling National Board Certification, I know that this role as the Western NC STEM Research Ambassador will be not only fulfilling for me on a professional level, but will further student research in our area of the state, which is critically needed and something that I am particularly passionate about.” - Allyson McFalls, Western NC STEM Research Ambassador
A Regional Model for Research-Driven Learning
Through this new partnership, Fellows will participate in professional learning experiences that foster collaboration, inquiry-based instruction, and real-world scientific investigation, thereby maximizing student engagement and impact. Fellows receive stipends, classroom resources, mini-grants for research supplies, and access to the Science News Learning Program, which offers an extensive archive of journalism and lesson plans to inspire student research projects.
Each cohort will be guided by Lead Fellows and current teachers Christy Arrowood (Burke County) and Gareth Wilkinson (Macon County), under the leadership of Ambassador Allyson McFalls (teacher in Watauga County). Together, they will host an in-person launch event, virtual meetings, classroom-based implementation cycles, and a culminating showcase at the 2026 Academic Innovation Conference hosted by the Appalachian State GEAR UP team.
“This is the best motivator we have – to teach in a way that kids need us to in order to learn.” -Gareth Wilkinson, LEAD Fellow.
The program also integrates insights and resources from the Society for Science’s National Research Teachers Conference, which select educators attended in Washington, D.C. this fall, engaging with research educators from across the country. 
“The opportunity to participate in the Society for Science Middle School Conference was amazing! Great resources were shared and I learned how to adapt how I think about student research. Additionally, by participating in the student research, students learn a variety of skills such as how to be creative thinkers, problem solvers, how to communicate with others and how to analyze data. The students get experience first hand how the world works around them.” -Christy Arrowood, LEAD Fellow
Program Launch Event
The Western NC STEM Fellows Professional Development Workshop, held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC, served as the program’s official kickoff.
The day-long workshop featured:
Hands-on sessions with Society for Science staff member Jessica Buono, showcasing classroom-ready tools such as Arduino kits, ecology and soil labs, and digital research resources.
Collaborative design sessions led by the program’s Ambassador and Lead Fellows, encouraging educators to rethink classroom environments for inquiry-based learning.
Goal-setting and planning for the 2025–2026 program year, including structured templates for content acquisition, student experiences, and resource development.
Student spotlights and video features celebrating the next generation of rural researchers.
“I want to be able to give my students the tools and experiences to think like scientists and engineers. Working with other Science Fellows and STEM educators is giving me collaborative design process for implementing the SEPs, science and engineering process, and authentic learning for students, including student led research. I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to learn new resources, gather materials and practices to support my instruction and pedagogy.” - Kristen Menickelli, Fellow
Meet the 2025–2026 Western NC Research Fellows
Ambassador: Allyson McFalls, Educator, Boone, NC
Lead Fellows: Christy Arrowood, Educator, Morganton, NC and Gareth Wilkinson, Educator, Franklin, NC
Research Fellows:
Kelly DelGatto | Melissa Painchaud |
Adam Dibert | Cristy Price |
Amanda Hall | Marissa Robinson |
Heather Herron | Brittany Schiele |
Susan Higdon | Silvia Sikaffy |
Scarlett Lackey | Michelle Simpson |
Samantha Langley | Raymond Szpara |
Kristin Menickelli | Susan Wyatt |
About the Western NC Research Fellows Program
The Western NC Research Fellows Program is a collaborative initiative between the Society for Science and Appalachian State GEAR UP Partnerships, part of the Office of Rural Promise at Appalachian State University. The program seeks to build a self-sustaining, rural STEM research ecosystem by equipping educators to facilitate authentic student inquiry, expand participation in science fairs, and connect local classrooms to national scientific communities.
For more information about the program, visit
https://gocollege.appstate.edu/educator-support/gear/western-nc-research-fellows-program
Western NC STEM fellows pose for a photo.
Western NC STEM fellows pose for a photo.