As the crisp air of fall settles in and the leaves remind us of the beauty of change, STEM West is reflecting with gratitude on the workshops and connections we’ve shared these past few months. Each season brings new opportunities, and this one is filled with hope for fresh collaborations and growth in our region. In this issue, we’re excited to highlight the workshops we’ve hosted and attended, celebrating the partnerships that make our work possible and planting seeds for what’s yet to come. 🍂
|
|
STEM Trek 2025 Inspires Over 2,000 Students Across Western North Carolina
NC Science Festival Event Connects Youth with STEM Industry and Innovation
More than 2,000 middle and high school students from across the STEM West region gathered at the Hickory Metro Convention Center on April 16–17, 2025, for STEM Trek 2025, a two-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math. This high-energy event was hosted by STEM West, the Catawba Science Center, and the Greater Hickory International Council, as part of the North Carolina Science Festival.
This year’s event was made possible through the generous support of several key sponsors, including Google (primary sponsor), Corning, GKN, NC Science Festival, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and the US Army.
Students explored interactive exhibits, connected with professionals in high-demand STEM fields, and learned about cutting-edge careers—all designed to ignite curiosity and highlight the opportunities available in western North Carolina’s growing STEM economy.
“This event is about sparking curiosity and showing students the incredible STEM careers available right here in our region,” said Dr. Carol Moore, President and CEO of STEM West. “We’re thrilled to see this many young people engaging with passionate professionals and exploring futures in science and technology.”
STEM Trek 2025 Featured More Than 40 Exhibitors, Including:
-
Higher Education & Training: Appalachian State University, Caldwell Community College, Catawba Valley Community College, Isothermal Community College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Mitchell Community College, North Carolina School of Science and Math, Western Piedmont Community College, BioNetwork, Be Pro Be Proud, Western Piedmont NCWorks Career Center
-
Industry & Innovation: Corning, Cummins, Design Foundry, Manufacturing Solutions Center, McCreary Modern, Inc., US Conec, Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions, ZF Chassis Components, LLC, Cargo Transporters, Vulcan Materials Company, Shurtape, Clean Water Lab
-
Healthcare & Public Services: Catawba Valley Medical Center, Blue Ridge Health, Hickory Fire Department, Republic Services–Catawba County, US Army, US Air Force
-
STEM & Community Partners: Google, Sullenberger Aviation Museum, Foothill Community Workshop, Hyperformance Graphics, SSHS Lego Robotics Group, Catawba Science Center, STEM West, Western Piedmont Council of Government, Betabox
Held annually as part of the North Carolina Science Festival—a month-long statewide celebration of STEM organized by the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center—STEM Trek continues to foster regional collaboration between schools, businesses, and community partners committed to building a strong pipeline of future-ready talent.
For more information about STEM Trek or to get involved in future STEM West programming, visit www.stemwest.org.
About the NC Science Festival
Founded by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, the North Carolina Science Festival is an annual statewide celebration showcasing the educational, cultural, and economic impact of science.
|
|
Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy
STEM West partnered with Appalachian State University (ASU) and EntreEd to facilitate the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) for two weeks in July, on ASU’s campus in Boone, North Carolina. Twenty high school students from across the Appalachian region from New York to Mississippi, were selected through a competitive application process to participate in a two-week residential academy focused on hands-on learning that sparked entrepreneurial thinking and built critical skills.“This academy doesn’t just teach entrepreneurship — it inspires it,” said Dr. Terry W. McClannon, Associate Dean of App State’s Reich College of Education and Director of the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy. “Our students leave here transformed not just because of what they learned, but because of what they discovered about themselves. Their creativity, discipline, and heart prove that the future of entrepreneurship is in great hands.” These future changemakers tackled real-world challenges facing rural communities. Using their entrepreneurial knowledge, students developed innovative business solutions including cultural subscription boxes, nonprofit thrift services, community-centered retail stores, and resource-driven platforms. Throughout the academy, participants worked in teams to create business plans and refine their pitches. The program concluded with a live pitch event at ASU’s Grandview Ballroom at Kidd Brewer Stadium, where students presented their ventures to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs.
Winning Presentations/Pitches:
First Place: Cultural Odyssey, a monthly subscription box offering meaningful cultural experiences for families.
Second Place: Backroad General, an affordable, community-centered general store.
Third Place: Crayons to Clothes, a nonprofit mobile thrift and essentials provider supporting families in crisis.
Audience Choice: Interlink, a nonprofit focused on connecting Appalachia to resources for a brighter future.
Honorable Mention: Proof Positive, a venture offering an honest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework for businesses.
Students demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and resilience throughout the academy. The Curriculum and Pitch Planning Team was especially inspired by their dedication and progress. “It was exciting and rewarding to see how our participants grew throughout the 2-weeks of the academy! By graduation, they had created life-long bonds between themselves across states and with confidence, delivered strong persuasive pitches to judges and community partners. I am confident we are helping to build responsible youth who care about the community of Appalachia,” said Dr. Carol Moore, CEO and President of STEM West. Following the pitch event, a graduation ceremony celebrated the students’ achievements and
the strong connections they built during their time together. The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy continues to equip young people with the
mindset, tools, and support needed to become entrepreneurial leaders who will shape the future of their communities.
For more information about AEA visit:
https://www.arc.gov/academies-and-institutes/aea/ |
|
STEM West Participant Selected for
Prestigious Homegrown Leaders Training
STEM West is proud to announce that one of our own, Dr. Donna Heavner, Project Director of STEM West, has been selected to participate in the 2025 Homegrown Leaders West Training, hosted by the NC Rural Center in Clyde, North Carolina. This highly competitive leadership development program is designed to equip emerging and existing leaders with the skills and strategies needed to strengthen rural communities across Western North Carolina.
Donna was awarded a significant partial scholarship of $850 toward the $1,000 registration fee in recognition of her commitment to community leadership. Over the course of the training, she will collaborate with leaders from across the region, gaining insights into rural economic development, civic engagement, and sustainable community growth.
This opportunity aligns perfectly with STEM West’s mission to advance STEM education and leadership in rural areas. Donna’s participation in the Homegrown Leaders program reflects her dedication to fostering meaningful change through innovation, collaboration, and education.
We congratulate Donna on this well-deserved honor and look forward to the ideas, inspiration, and impact she will bring back to our community!
|
|
STEM West Selected for Appalachian Regional Commission’s READY Nonprofits Training Program
STEM West has been selected to participate in the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) READY Nonprofits Training Program, a highly competitive initiative designed to strengthen the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofit organizations across the Appalachian region.
The READY Nonprofits program provides targeted training in areas critical to long-term success, such as board development, strategic planning, financial management, and leadership growth. Participating organizations gain access to expert-led workshops, peer-learning opportunities, and practical tools that can be directly applied to their missions and operations.
As part of the 2025 cohort, STEM West joined the Board Development training track, held virtually on Mondays from July 14 through August 25, 2025. This course focused on enhancing nonprofit governance, empowering board members, and aligning leadership structures with organizational goals.
Organizations that successfully complete the program are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in capacity-building funding—with no required match. This unique opportunity allows nonprofits to invest in internal systems and strategies that build lasting impact for the communities they serve.
“STEM West is honored to be part of the READY Nonprofits Training Program,” said Dr. Carol Moore, President and CEO of STEM West. “Strengthening our board and leadership capacity will directly enhance our ability to expand STEM opportunities for students and educators across western North Carolina. This investment in our organizational foundation will help ensure that we can continue connecting classrooms with local businesses and advancing workforce development for years to come.”
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership dedicated to economic development across 423 counties in 13 Appalachian states. By investing in nonprofit capacity-building, ARC helps ensure that organizations like STEM West are well-positioned to drive sustainable community and economic growth.
|
|
STEM West is excited to host a FREE Foldscope workshops in September and October in partnership with NC Bionetwork.
Foldscopes are portable, durable, waterproof paper microscopes that are a wonderful tool for students of all ages to explore their world and learn at the microscopic level. Participants will receive CEU credit and a set of teaching materials valued at over $100 that includes a Foldscope Mini Classroom Kit and an Explorer Kit!
Learn more about Foldscope products at foldscope.com |
|
|
In Gratitude
In classrooms bright and labs aglow,
Your partnership helps young minds grow.
Through science, math, and dreams that soar,
You open wide the future’s door.
Each spark you light, each gift you lend,
Shapes tomorrow, hand in hand.
With deepest thanks, we honor you—
Together, there’s no limit to what we’ll do.
|
|
|
| Watch for more STEM opportunities in the STEM West Newsletter! |
|
|
|
|
|
