2024 Appalachian Laboratory Inspiration Award winner Team 1629 Garrett Coalition (GaCo). Pictured left to right Dr. Brenda McCartney, Superintendent of Garrett Public Schools; Chuck Trautwein, GaCo Lead Mentor and Advisor; Dr. David Nelson, UMCES Appalachian Laboratory Director; and Dr. Bill Dennison, UMCES Vice President for Science Application.
Nominations are currently open for the 2025 Appalachian Laboratory Inspiration Award. The award recognizes those who engage in or provide support to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) initiatives in the following counties: Garrett, Allegany and Washington Counties in Maryland; Bedford, Fulton, and Somerset counties in Pennsylvania; and Mineral, Morgan, Preston, and Hampshire counties in West Virginia.
In 2022, the Appalachian Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) celebrated its 60th anniversary in western Maryland. As a lasting way of marking that milestone, the Lab launched the Appalachian Laboratory Inspiration Award to recognize those in the tri state region who share the Laboratory’s commitment to future generations of STEM professionals in our community. Previous winners include Team 1629 Garrett Coalition (GaCo) in 2024 and Robotics and Engineering in Allegany County Together (REACT) in 2023.
“Scientific research institutions like the Appalachian Laboratory rely on future generations of STEM professionals to drive ongoing innovation and discovery. Individuals and organizations like GaCo and REACT, and their supporters, work tirelessly to inspire these future generations through their promotion of STEM activities to all age levels,” said Dr. David Nelson, Appalachian Laboratory Director and Professor. “We are thrilled to recognize the important work they do.”
Both individuals and organizations (private, public, or non-governmental) are eligible. Nominees must be engaged in or supporting STEM programming in the Laboratory’s defined tri state region as described above. Nominations will remain open until Monday, November 18.
Visit www.umces.edu/al/inspiration-award to submit a nomination or contact Rhonda Schwinabart, Appalachian Laboratory Coordinator of External Affairs, at 301-689-7102 or rschwinabart@umces.edu with any award-related questions.
