Students in grades K-12 throughout Idaho will be building robots, designing cities of the future and participating in virtual field trips thanks to an Idaho National Laboratory (INL) grant program.

INL has awarded 11 grants worth nearly $5,000 to fund science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities. Known as informal STEM support grants, the funding supports hands-on activities for students.

This year’s winners are:

• Eastern Idaho Technical College Foundation received $500 to help fund a summer camp program for elementary students that focuses on math, science and technology.
• The Boise-based Future City Idaho Regional Competition received $500 to help sponsor its 8th annual contest in which sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students design a city of the future and present on their concept.
• Horseshoe Bend High School received $500 to buy lumber, metal and other supplies for students in its Mustang Design project to design and create products that will be sold to consumers.
• The Sawtooth Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) received $500 to help buy supplies for a science fair and also to pay for a field trip to a science-related business or museum.
• Sandcreek Middle School in Idaho Falls received $500 to help purchase a greenhouse for its Dragon Alternative Energy Lab, which is designed to teach students about energy resources.
• Morningside Elementary School in Twin Falls received $500 to purchase supplies so students can participate in a local, regional and statewide invention contest.
• Genesee Elementary School received $465 to help pay for three virtual field trips through the Idaho Education Network.
• Heritage Middle School in Meridian received $181 to help cover the costs of a teacher taking a group of seventh-grade girls to the University of Idaho Women in Math and Science Meeting.
• White Pine Charter School in Idaho Falls received $500 to help send four school teams to the First Lego League State Championship in Moscow.
• Mullan Trail Elementary School in Post Falls received $299.55 to purchase a LEGO NXT robotics kit.
• Lake Hazel Elementary School second grade received $497.25 for flip charts, counting frames and other math manipulation tools.

STEM education is a priority for the U.S. Department of Energy DOE, INL and Battelle Energy Alliance, a nonprofit organization that operates the lab for DOE. INL's STEM education initiative provides professional development opportunities and resources for Idaho teachers and encourages students to develop their skills in science, technology, engineering and math.

Since 2006, the Battelle Energy Alliance has contributed more than $2.5 million to support K-12 STEM education in Idaho.