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Renae Lewis

Explore historic uses of plants and chemical reactions to create fabric dyes.

2025 STEM Scholar
Salmon, ID Salmon Junior Senior High School

Renaes Big Idea:
Explore historic uses of plants and chemical reactions to create fabric dyes. Students review data collection and laboratory techniques by growing selected plants to perform experiments with soil, photosynthesis and transpiration. The dyes created in class are then used to make tie dye t-shirts.

Interesting Facts: 

Renae lives in a rural community that borders the Frank Church Wilderness Areas, one of the largest wilderness areas in the lower forty eight states. She spends a lot of time with her husband and two children in the outdoors doing what they love.

In her own words: "STEM education is essential for my students because it equips them with critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills that are vital for success in today’s rapidly changing world. By engaging in hands-on, real-world learning, students gain the confidence and curiosity needed to pursue high-demand careers and become innovative contributors to their communities."