PHOENIX — Andre Pineda, a middle school teacher at Canyon Day Junior High School in Whiteriver, has been selected to participate in the National STEM Scholarship Program, according to a release from The Gatton Academy and The National Stem Cell Foundation.
Read more Tiger Woods’ lawyer and prosecutors are set to argue over prescription records in DUI case
Pineda, the only teacher from Arizona selected, will join ten other teachers picked from a national pool of candidates, according to a press release from the program.
The STEM Scholarship course offers a “professional development program providing advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) training, national network building, and project support for middle school science teachers nationwide,” according to the announcement.
“STEM matters deeply to my Apache students because it connects learning to their land, culture, and the real challenges their community faces, empowering them to become problem solvers for their own future.’ Pineda said.
“Being part of the National STEM Scholar Program, Pineda added, “allows me to create meaningful opportunities where they can see themselves reflected in science, technology, engineering, and math as innovators, leaders, and changemakers.”
According to the program, “a unique requirement of the program is the responsibility for STEM Scholars to share lessons learned with colleagues in their home schools, districts, or states, magnifying impact over multiple classrooms and years.”
The release also noted, “Studies show that middle school students who become excited about science are more likely to pursue STEM courses in high school and major in them at the technical and college levels.”
Read more ‘This is your time’: Harrison Ford speaks to record ASU graduating class
The 2026 National STEM Scholar class will be hosted by The Gatton Academy from May 24 to May 30 on the campus of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky.
Watch 12News for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere, thanks to the 12+ app!
The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
12+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather, and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features, and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”
Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12+ app to add to your account, or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Read more Senator Mark Kelly calls Arizona a ‘cautionary tale’ where 30 public schools have closed since 2020