Beckman Foundation Supports 2025 Inspired Teacher Grant Program in Orange County
This year, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation partnered with the Orange County Community Foundation to provide $100,000 in support to the Inspired Teacher Grant Program, substantially enhancing the availability of hands-on STEM education opportunities for high school students throughout Orange County.
The Inspired Teacher Grant Program through the Orange County Community Foundation
supports hands‐on classroom projects and field trips that encourage experiential learning, enhance student understanding, and increase student achievement in relation to the California curriculum standards.
Fulfilling the aim of "supporting young scientists today for tomorrow's breakthrough discoveries," the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to be used to fund STEM-focused projects and field trips for high school students through the program, kicking off its third year.
Shared Dr. Anne Hultgren, Beckman Foundation’s Executive Director, “We’re delighted to partner with the Orange County Community Foundation to support our science educators in advancing their students’ understanding of science concepts by bringing more project-based learning and hands-on STEM activities into OC high schools, as well as deepening their appreciation for diversity in science and awareness of STEM career opportunities. Our aim is to support young scientists today for tomorrow’s breakthrough discoveries, and we’re confident that the Inspired Teacher Grant Program through OCCF is similarly focused on getting students the STEM education resources they need to thrive and providing teachers with the support they need to enable greater STEM achievement.”
All teachers who applied for and won project grants through the program were invited to attend the awards reception at Beckman Center on January 23, 2025, which included networking, refreshments, speaker remarks, a group photo, check pickup, and fun, celebratory photos in front of a step-and-repeat.
Beckman Foundation’s grant provided support for 27 STEM-focused projects at 18 unique high schools, with a range of topics covering micro optics, electricity and magnetism, biotech, robotics, sustainability, and more.
Congratulations, Awardees!
[Photos courtesy of the Orange County Community Foundation]
