The National Stem Cell Foundation funds adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research, scholarships for middle school science teachers inspiring the next generation of STEM pioneers, patient advocacy and programs that connect children with limited resources to cutting-edge clinical trials. View the projects in each of these funding areas to see our impact.
National STEM Scholar Program
Kentucky, USA: United States
Rico Tyler & Robin Tyler
Turn your smartphone into a microscope and take amazing photos
, USA: United States
2020 STEM Scholar
Hopkinsville, KY
Christian County Middle School
Measured and discovered how something small can have a large impact on the local environment
2020 STEM Scholars
Dinwiddie, VA
Dinwiddie Middle School
Used hydroponics to learn valuable lessons in life science and character development
2020 STEM Scholars
Topeka, KS
Seaman Middle School
Tracked earthquakes to learn how humans affect the Earth and how we can adapt to and prevent natural disasters
2020 STEM Scholar
Seattle, WA
Villa Academy
Used GIS software to create interactive digital maps
2020 STEM Scholar
Carrollton, KY
Created an observational beehive and habitat to learn the importance of biodiversity, agriculture, and the local food chain
2020 STEM Scholar
McKinney, TX
Cockrill Middle School
Learned research methodology to conduct ecological surveys to assess microhabitats
2020 STEM Scholar
Elizabeth City, NC
River Road Middle School
Used programming kits to create, test and fix solutions
2020 STEM Scholar
Panama City Beach, FL
Surfside Middle School
Created an aquaculture system to learn about the local ecosystem and potential careers that combine life sciences and agriculture
2020 STEM Scholar
Lake Isabella, CA
Woodrow Wallace Middle School
Used data collection and programming to repair the local watershed
2019 STEM Scholar
Old Orchard Beach, ME
Loranger Memorial School
Development of a unit on animal biology, ecology and the Gulf of Maine
2019 STEM Scholar
Chester, SD
Chester Middle School
Used wind energy to generate power
2019 STEM Scholar
Monticello, IL
Monticello Middle School
Created 3D prototypes that improve the five senses
2019 STEM Scholar
Fishers, IN
Riverside Intermediate School
Measured the impact of agricultural fertilizers on a local watershed
2019 STEM Scholar
Bowling Green, KY
Drakes Creek Middle School
Implementation of a project-based learning unit that used mid-powered rockets
2019 STEM Scholar
Potomac, MD
Herbert Hoover Middle School
Built 3d-printed parts for a Rube Goldberg machine to learn about physics
2019 STEM Scholar
Alpharetta, GA
DeSana Middle School
Built prosthetics to understand anatomy
2019 STEM Scholar
Tripoli, IA
Tripoli Middle/Senior High School
Designed, built and programmed robots
2019 STEM Scholar
Albany, NY
Sand Creek Middle School
Created straw rockets to learn computer-aided design skills
2019 STEM Scholar
Laramie, WY
Laramie Middle School
Explored changes in genes and phenotypes of local wildlife populations
DreamUp, The Gatton Academy at Western Kentucky University
Middle school classrooms worldwide, Outer Space
DreamUp/NanoRacks
The Gatton Academy at Western Kentucky University
Custom project-based space curriculum provided at no cost to educators everywhere
National STEM Scholar Program
Microgravity, Outer Space
Marvin the Marshmallow
2018 National STEM Scholars
Blue Origin/New Shepard flight team
The Gatton Academy at Western Kentucky University
Just how much pressure can a marshmallow take?
Alliance for Mankind
International Space Station, Outer Space
Dr. Valentina Fossati
Dr. Andres Bratt-Leal
World-first study of patient-derived cells to study disease development in the absence of gravity
NASA In-Flight Education Downlink
International Space Station, Outer Space
National STEM Scholars
Exomedicine Institute/Space Tango
Lexington, KY
Moving a research collaboration into microgravity for Parkinson's and progressive MS research
Family Space Camp®
Oakland, CA
Zia & Kathy
Cambridge, MD
#SavedByTheCell Team Member
Heather is competing for #SavedByTheCell at the 2018 Ironman in Cambridge, Maryland on September 29, 2018
Louisville, KY
NSCF Swabbing Event
May 19th, 2018
Newport Beach, CA
NSCF Swabbing Event
May 6th, 2018
2018 STEM Scholar
Louisville, KY
Meyzeek Middle School
Carried experiments to the edge of space in a high-altitude weather balloon
2018 STEM Scholar
Peru, IN
Peru Junior High School
Learned genetics and physiology through models
2018 STEM Scholar
Albuquerque, NM
Desert Ridge Middle School
Used the sun's shadow to learn about time and seasonality
2018 STEM Scholar
Savannah, GA
Oglethorpe Charter School
Designed and built remotely-operated vehicles to solve underwater challenges
2018 STEM Scholar
Pilgrim's Knob, VA
Twin Valley Elementary Middle School
Built a tiny-house model to learn about sustainability
2018 STEM Scholar
Leesburg, GA
Lee County Middle School East Campus
Built beehives to study ecology, animal adaptations and symbiosis
2018 STEM Scholar
Brockton, MA
Edgar B. Davis School
Development of a unit on robotics to refine programming skills
2018 STEM Scholar
Canton, GA
Dean Rusk Middle School
Used a stream table to learn about erosion
2018 STEM Scholar
Marlborough, NH
Marlborough School
Longitudinal study of geology and ecology in a local watershed
2018 STEM Scholar
Pierre, SD
Georgia Morse Middle School
Longitudinal study of bird habitats to track bird migration and behavior
2016 Stem Scholar
Opelika, AL
Sanford Middle School
Sent students on a "date" with the periodic table
The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science
Bowling Green, KY
The National STEM Scholar Program hosts its annual orientation week at the Gatton Academy on Western Kentucky University's campus
New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute
New York City, NY
Dr. Valentina Fossati
Understanding cross-talk between cells in the central nervous system as a way to recode cells to prevent myelin loss
OREF
Rosemont, IL
OREF is dedicated to being the leader in supporting research that improves function, eliminates pain and restores mobility
National MS Society
New York City, NY
The National MS Society is a driving force of MS research and treatment to stop disease progression, restore function, and end MS forever
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York City, NY
Dr. Christopher L. Mendias
Investigating novel stem cell-based therapies for rotator cuff repair
2016 Stem Scholar
Shoreline, WA
The Evergreen School
Unit development to study drivers of the greenhouse effect
2016 Stem Scholar
Owensboro, KY
Owensboro Middle School
Incorporation of MiniOne Systems PCR equipment to study genetic disorders
2016 Stem Scholar
Roy, UT
Sand Ridge Jr. High
Incorporation of PocketLab technology to teach biology, heredity and genetics through insects
2016 Stem Scholar
Downers Grove, IL
Herrick Middle School
Development of a sound, light and wave lab to study digital signaling
2016 Stem Scholar
Bowling Green, KY
Warren East Middle School
Development of portable makerspace kits for classroom travel
2016 STEM Scholar
Canton, SD
Pierre Indian Learning Center
Incorporation of PocketLab wireless digital sensors to analyze abstract data
2016 STEM Scholar
Eielson Air Force Base, AK
Ben Eielson Junior/Senior High School
Development of an iPad video lab with specialized software to collect data and produce videos
2016 STEM Scholar
Sodus, NY
Sodus Intermediate School
Developed New York's first school-based trout hatchery
2016 STEM Scholar
Dallas, TX
Zion Lutheran School
3D lab build-out to develop new product prototypes for predicted technological trends
2017 STEM Scholar
Hightstown, NJ
Melvin H. Kreps Middle School
Development of wind turbine prototypes for the Wind Turbine Design Challenge
2017 STEM Scholar
Harned, KY
Breckinridge County Middle School
Leveraged SpikerBox technology to study memory formation in response to sensory stimulation using Madagascar hissing cockroaches
2017 STEM Scholar
Cameron, WI
Cameron Middle School
Development of an engineering unit to study and design alternative energy sources
2017 STEM Scholar
Brushton, NY
Brushton-Moira Central School
Unit development to study antibiotic resistance using compound light microscopes
2017 STEM Scholar
Dousman, WI
Kettle Moraine Middle School
Development of a robotics lab to teach engineering design and data evaluation
2017 STEM Scholar
Bowling Green, KY
Bowling Green Junior High
Designed and development of organic solar cells to harvest solar energy
2017 STEM Scholar
Gorham, ME
Gorham Middle School
Development of a working classroom ecosystem and aquaponics lab
2017 STEM Scholar
Byron, MN
Byron Middle School
3D lab build-out to print prosthetic limbs in consultation with Mayo Clinic and Limb Lab
2017 STEM Scholar
Shoreline, WA
The Evergreen School
Unit development to study and track the ecological impact of Elwha River Dam presence/removal on Washington's Olympic Peninsula
2017 STEM Scholar
South Miami, FL
South Miami Middle Community School
Development of a coding and design project to print 3D versions of Google VR cardboard
Duke University
Durham, NC
Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg
Relieving the financial burden for children participating in clinical trials for rare diseases
Michael J. Fox Foundation
New York, NY
Dr. Penny Hallett
Dr. Ole Isacson
Development of a patient-specific stem cell therapy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
MD Anderson
Houston, TX
Dr. Michelle Fanale
Finding new ways to treat resistant lymphoma
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Dr. Marius Wernig
Turning skin cells into myelin-making cells
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Dr. Brian Feeley
Investigating rotator cuff treatment options
Duke University
Durham, NC
Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg
Clinical Trials for Rare Childhood Disorders
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Jeffrey Spang
Dr. Elizabeth Loboa
Using 3-D tissue engineering to repair and replace articular cartilage
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, MD
Dr. Regina Armstrong
Discovering ways to induce myelin repair
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
Dr. Suzanne Ildstad
Simultaneous stem cell and kidney transplant for drug-free transplant tolerance
Northwestern University
Chicago, IL
Dr. Joseph Leventhal
Eliminating anti-rejection drugs for kidney transplant recipients
Sharing America's Marrow (S.A.M.)
Louisville, KY
Sam Kimura
Alex Kimura
Taylor Shorten
On a mission to increase the number of donors on the bone marrow registry
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI
Dr. Geoffrey Baer
Developing novel therapies for ligament and tendon injuries
The Scripps Research Institute
San Diego, CA
Dr. Jeanne Loring
Dr. Andrés Bratt-Leal
Development of a patient-specific stem cell therapy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Turn your smartphone into a microscope and take amazing photos
Read the full storyMeasured and discovered how something small can have a large impact on the local environment
Read the full storyUsed hydroponics to learn valuable lessons in life science and character development
Read the full storyTracked earthquakes to learn how humans affect the Earth and how we can adapt to and prevent natural disasters
Read the full storyUsed GIS software to create interactive digital maps
Read the full storyCreated an observational beehive and habitat to learn the importance of biodiversity, agriculture, and the local food chain
Read the full storyLearned research methodology to conduct ecological surveys to assess microhabitats
Read the full storyUsed programming kits to create, test and fix solutions
Read the full storyCreated an aquaculture system to learn about the local ecosystem and potential careers that combine life sciences and agriculture
Read the full storyUsed data collection and programming to repair the local watershed
Read the full storyDevelopment of a unit on animal biology, ecology and the Gulf of Maine
Read the full storyUsed wind energy to generate power
Read the full storyCreated 3D prototypes that improve the five senses
Read the full storyMeasured the impact of agricultural fertilizers on a local watershed
Read the full storyImplementation of a project-based learning unit that used mid-powered rockets
Read the full storyBuilt 3d-printed parts for a Rube Goldberg machine to learn about physics
Read the full storyBuilt prosthetics to understand anatomy
Read the full storyDesigned, built and programmed robots
Read the full storyCreated straw rockets to learn computer-aided design skills
Read the full storyExplored changes in genes and phenotypes of local wildlife populations
Read the full storyCustom project-based space curriculum provided at no cost to educators everywhere
Read the full storyJust how much pressure can a marshmallow take?
Read the full storyWorld-first study of patient-derived cells to study disease development in the absence of gravity
Read the full storyMoving a research collaboration into microgravity for Parkinson's and progressive MS research
Read the full storyHeather is competing for #SavedByTheCell at the 2018 Ironman in Cambridge, Maryland on September 29, 2018
Read the full storyMay 19th, 2018
Read the full storyMay 6th, 2018
Read the full storyCarried experiments to the edge of space in a high-altitude weather balloon
Read the full storyLearned genetics and physiology through models
Read the full storyUsed the sun's shadow to learn about time and seasonality
Read the full storyDesigned and built remotely-operated vehicles to solve underwater challenges
Read the full storyBuilt a tiny-house model to learn about sustainability
Read the full storyBuilt beehives to study ecology, animal adaptations and symbiosis
Read the full storyDevelopment of a unit on robotics to refine programming skills
Read the full storyUsed a stream table to learn about erosion
Read the full storyLongitudinal study of geology and ecology in a local watershed
Read the full storyLongitudinal study of bird habitats to track bird migration and behavior
Read the full storySent students on a "date" with the periodic table
Read the full storyThe National STEM Scholar Program hosts its annual orientation week at the Gatton Academy on Western Kentucky University's campus
Read the full storyUnderstanding cross-talk between cells in the central nervous system as a way to recode cells to prevent myelin loss
Read the full storyOREF is dedicated to being the leader in supporting research that improves function, eliminates pain and restores mobility
Read the full storyThe National MS Society is a driving force of MS research and treatment to stop disease progression, restore function, and end MS forever
Read the full storyInvestigating novel stem cell-based therapies for rotator cuff repair
Read the full storyUnit development to study drivers of the greenhouse effect
Read the full storyIncorporation of MiniOne Systems PCR equipment to study genetic disorders
Read the full storyIncorporation of PocketLab technology to teach biology, heredity and genetics through insects
Read the full storyDevelopment of a sound, light and wave lab to study digital signaling
Read the full storyDevelopment of portable makerspace kits for classroom travel
Read the full storyIncorporation of PocketLab wireless digital sensors to analyze abstract data
Read the full storyDevelopment of an iPad video lab with specialized software to collect data and produce videos
Read the full storyDeveloped New York's first school-based trout hatchery
Read the full story3D lab build-out to develop new product prototypes for predicted technological trends
Read the full storyDevelopment of wind turbine prototypes for the Wind Turbine Design Challenge
Read the full storyLeveraged SpikerBox technology to study memory formation in response to sensory stimulation using Madagascar hissing cockroaches
Read the full storyDevelopment of an engineering unit to study and design alternative energy sources
Read the full storyUnit development to study antibiotic resistance using compound light microscopes
Read the full storyDevelopment of a robotics lab to teach engineering design and data evaluation
Read the full storyDesigned and development of organic solar cells to harvest solar energy
Read the full storyDevelopment of a working classroom ecosystem and aquaponics lab
Read the full story3D lab build-out to print prosthetic limbs in consultation with Mayo Clinic and Limb Lab
Read the full storyUnit development to study and track the ecological impact of Elwha River Dam presence/removal on Washington's Olympic Peninsula
Read the full storyDevelopment of a coding and design project to print 3D versions of Google VR cardboard
Read the full storyRelieving the financial burden for children participating in clinical trials for rare diseases
Read the full storyDevelopment of a patient-specific stem cell therapy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Read the full storyFinding new ways to treat resistant lymphoma
Read the full storyTurning skin cells into myelin-making cells
Read the full storyInvestigating rotator cuff treatment options
Read the full storyClinical Trials for Rare Childhood Disorders
Read the full storyUsing 3-D tissue engineering to repair and replace articular cartilage
Read the full storyDiscovering ways to induce myelin repair
Read the full storySimultaneous stem cell and kidney transplant for drug-free transplant tolerance
Read the full storyEliminating anti-rejection drugs for kidney transplant recipients
Read the full storyOn a mission to increase the number of donors on the bone marrow registry
Read the full storyDeveloping novel therapies for ligament and tendon injuries
Read the full storyDevelopment of a patient-specific stem cell therapy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Read the full story
