LUMBERTON — Two local educators have received grant funding to help learning and STEM concepts come alive in their classrooms.

Dr. Philippe John Sipacio, a multilingual learner educator at East Robeson Primary School and Long Branch Elementary School, and Kayla Hendrix, a Peterson Elementary School educator, were both awarded grant funds from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s PRISM (Promoting Innovation in Science and Mathematics) Awards.

Sipacio will use the $4,498.85 PRISM Award to provide students at East Robeson Primary School with quality, hands-on, inquiry-based activities and enhance their excitement for STEM in the classroom. Sipacio’s goal is to strengthen language learning for multilingual learners by integrating robotics into the school’s early literacy and English Language Development programs.

“Our project’s name is IEL CARE for MLs, which seeks to aid K-3 Multilingual Learners in the ELD program by utilizing robotics as a teaching technique to enhance their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills,” Sipacio said.

“The funds provided will be used to purchase materials, equipment, and supplies to implement a high-quality curriculum and activities in the school,” he added.

Hendrix will use her school’s $3,000 grant award to incorporate a makerspace into her classroom, which is a collaborative space where students can learn.

“Through hands-on activities like building, creating, and problem-solving, students are actively engaged in the learning process, which helps them develop a deeper understanding of concepts.

Makerspace encourages students to work together, share ideas, and collaborate on projects, promoting teamwork and communication skills,” she said.

“Overall, incorporating makerspace learning in a first-grade classroom can create an enriching environment that nurtures creativity, innovation, and 21st-century skills essential for success in the future. I am so thankful for this funding as it will provide opportunities for my students!” Hendrix added.

This year, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund selected 32 proposals totaling more than $102,000 awarded in PRISM Awards.

The PRISM Awards support teaching professionals in providing quality, hands-on, inquiry-based student activities. They enhance the excitement for STEM in the classroom by providing funds for materials, equipment, and supplies related to implementing high-quality curriculum and activities. The award also provides funding support for participation in professional development related to STEM materials.

“We firmly believe that small grants play a pivotal role in nurturing innovation and empowering teachers to provide resources in their classrooms. These grants provide support to be creative and inspire student wonder and awe in the STEM fields,” said Alfred Mays, Chief Diversity Officer of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

Since its inception, the PRISM Award has been distributed to more than 400 teachers across North Carolina for an investment of more than $1.2 million.

About Burroughs Wellcome Fund

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is a private foundation dedicated to advancing the biomedical sciences. Since its establishment, the Fund has been committed to supporting researchers and fostering diversity within the scientific community through various grant programs and initiatives.