GCPS educator selected as 2026 National STEM Scholar

     Michelle Morgan, a science teacher at Hull Middle School, is among 10 middle school teachers from eight states who have been selected to participate in the prestigious National STEM Scholar Program. This unique professional development program provides advanced STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) training, national network building, and project support for middle school science teachers nationwide.

   “STEM is the bridge that connects my students’ natural curiosity to the real-world skills they need to solve the challenges of tomorrow. Being a National STEM Scholar allows me to bring cutting-edge resources and fresh, hands-on projects back to my classroom, ensuring my students see themselves as the next generation of innovators,” Morgan says.

     Created in partnership between the National Stem Cell Foundation and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University (WKU), the National STEM Scholar Program selects 10 teachers each year from a national pool of applicants based solely on the description of a “big idea” Challenge Project the applicant would implement in their classroom if funds were available. Selected projects are chosen for maximum impact in middle school classrooms where research shows lifelong STEM career decisions are being made. Selected STEM Scholars convene on WKU’s campus for a week of advanced STEM training and finalize their projects with input from their STEM Scholar class colleagues.

     Morgan’s “big idea” Challenge Project expands an existing force and motion engineering challenge into a multi-day, data-driven investigation of crash safety design. This three-day engineering design investigation immerses students in solving a real-world safety problem: How should highway crash cushions be designed to reduce injury during collisions? Students assume the role of civil engineers working for a Department of Highway Safety. In collaborative teams, they design and construct two model crash cushions using provided materials.

     Using PocketLab G-Force sensors mounted to model cars, students conduct controlled collision trials and collect real-time acceleration data. The sensor automatically generates graphs, allowing students to analyze peak acceleration and impact duration. Students compare how different materials and structural designs affect the rate of momentum change and overall force experienced during collision. They complete a Claim–Evidence–Reasoning conclusion supported by quantitative data analysis and graphical interpretation. The experience is extended through PocketLab’s Virtual Field Trip: Car Crash Investigation, exploring how engineers design safety systems and learning about STEM careers in automotive engineering, physics, and materials engineering. This project promotes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving.

     “This project is a priority because it transforms abstract physics concepts into meaningful, real-world problem solving,” Morgan adds. “Many middle school students struggle to see the relevance of force, motion, and acceleration beyond textbook equations. By engaging in authentic crash safety engineering using industry-standard PocketLab G-Force sensors, students experience how physics directly impacts highway safety and human lives.”

     The 2026 National STEM Scholar class will be hosted by The Gatton Academy from May 24 through May 30, on the campus of WKU in Bowling Green, Ky. Now in its 11th year, there are 109 National STEM Scholars representing middle schools in 37 states. 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. By June 2027, National STEM Scholars will have directly and indirectly impacted more than 229,000 middle school students in the U.S.