National Stem Cell Foundation

06/04/2026

Congratulations to 2025 National Stem Scholar Tracy Vassiliev from Maine for her dual presentations during the National Science Teaching Association National Conference last month in Anaheim – the first during the Middle School Share-a-thon and the second titled “Compostable, Not Disposable: Students Work Toward Replacing Plastics with Nanocellulose-based Alternatives for a Greener Future” which shared a classroom-ready and expandable research project that enables middle and high school students to engineer nanocellulose composite films as an alternative to packaging plastics. Thank you, Tracy! The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science The Center for Gifted Studies Paula Pruitt Grisanti Rico Tyler Julia Link Roberts

06/03/2026

We were delighted to sponsor Humanity In Deep Space’s most recent webinar, “Art & Space,” with ultra-contemporary artist and futurist Amy Karle and poet and Project Abeona founder Andy Jackson exploring how creativity helps us imagine life beyond Earth, tackle complex challenges, and shape the cultures that may one day emerge in space. Don’t miss the video! Paula Pruitt Grisanti https://ow.ly/p93w50Z1jhQ

06/02/2026

Paula Pruitt Grisanti Rico Tyler

06/02/2026

Big thanks to WBKO News in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for highlighting the National STEM Scholar Program last week! Our 11 newest Scholars bring the total to 110 middle school science teachers in 38 states who have spent a week immersed in advanced STEM training, collaboration, and hands-on innovation as they refine “big Idea” Challenge Projects for classroom implementation. We’re proud to celebrate a program that empowers educators, sparks creativity, and helps inspire the next generation of STEM pioneers and problem-solvers. Western Kentucky University The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science The Center for Gifted Studies Paula Pruitt Grisanti Rico Tyler Julia Link Roberts

National STEM Scholar Program has trained over 110 teachers from 38 states in 11 years.

05/29/2026

Tomorrow is World MS Day—a time to raise awareness of the challenges and possibilities facing those living with this currently incurable disease. Consider supporting NSCF with a donation to help advance promising stem cell research in the search for a cure.
https://ow.ly/GBl550YUESC

05/27/2026

Our team had a great time attending in Washington, D.C. last week, an interdisciplinary event designed to accelerate the building of our off-world future, and meeting with a writer covering the conference for AIAA - The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Thank you to Dr. Pinar Mesci, NSCF space research partner and the Global Head of Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology at Axiom Space, and Maria Balaguer, NSCF Space Project Research Associate, for their excellent presentations highlighting the groundbreaking research currently underway on the International Space Station ( ) and the resulting insights that hold the promise of breakthrough therapies here on Earth. Paula Pruitt Grisanti

05/26/2026

The 2026 National STEM Scholars have arrived at Western Kentucky University for their week of advanced STEM training, national networking and “big idea” project support! Congratulations and welcome! The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science The Center for Gifted Studies Paula Pruitt Grisanti Rico Tyler Julia Link Roberts

05/25/2026

As we commemorate Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Join us in remembering and paying tribute to our nation’s heroes.

05/21/2026

During the National Science Teaching Association National Conference this spring in Anaheim, several of our 2025 National STEM Scholars, including Alex Wicker from Florida and Yev Pevzner from Utah, took advantage of a free educator workshop at Algalita Marine Research and Education Center in Long Beach, CA. Algalita is an internationally known environmental nonprofit that designs and delivers educational experiences that empower individuals to understand the full scope of plastic pollution’s impact on people and the planet, while also providing tangible ways to support solutions. Paula Pruitt Grisanti Rico Tyler Julia Link Roberts The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science The Center for Gifted Studies

05/20/2026

National STEM Scholars - make your very own posters with your students’ names in letters. Just type in the name, save the graphic, and print. You can hover over each image to get the coordinates and you can also click on the letter to learn more about the image. The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science The Center for Gifted Studies Paula Pruitt Grisanti Rico Tyler https://science.nasa.gov/mission/landsat/outreach/your-name-in-landsat/

With this online interactive, users can type in their name then view and export the graphic of that name spelled out in Earth features found in Landsat images.