Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers (GYSTC) has recently awarded Thomas County Middle School science teacher Clayton Woodfin with the 2024 Georgia STEM Scholar Award. As part of this special recognition, he received a $500 grant to purchase STEM education materials for his classroom, as well as free admission to attend the GYSTC Summer STEM Institute.

Woodfin is one of twenty-five other educators throughout the state of Georgia to receive this award. He believes that Thomas County Middle School provides a great foundation for STEM education.

"I feel really honored to be recognized by the GYSTC for the work I do with our students every day,” Woodfin said. “The money from the award will be spent on EEG headbands, which will allow our students to carry out science fair projects that study brain waves."

The Georgia STEM Scholar Award recognizes outstanding certified teachers in grades K-8 who are working to integrate effective STEM education in their classrooms. Georgia STEM Scholars demonstrate a passion and determination to provide students with innovative and challenging STEM experiences along with creating an atmosphere of exploration that excites, energizes, and equips students to pursue enhanced educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math.  

The GYSTC Summer STEM Institute will be held in June at Kennesaw State University. During the Institute, teachers will participate in Super STEM Challenges, Robotics and Coding Activities, and Top 10 STEM Explorations. In addition, teachers will develop their own engaging STEM Challenge to be shared with their teaching colleagues.