The Da Vinci Science Center has bestowed its STEAM Scholarship Awards (formerly known as the Hall of Fame Awards) annually since 1999 to students who show a unique passion for science, educators who inspire enthusiasm for science with innovative approaches, professionals and companies who bring science to life every day, and partners who support the Science Center’s mission.
Below are the winners of the 2024 STEAM Scholarship Awards.
The Science Center recognizes four exceptional high school students, who have demonstrated a passion for the sciences both in-and-out of the classroom. Each student receives a $2,000 scholarship.
Ellyn Wong, Nazareth Area High School
Ellyn is a STEMinist and loves engaging in chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering. She is interested in observing the natural world to find sustainable engineering solutions.
Rayna Malhotra, Moravian Academy Upper School
After she graduates from Moravian Academy, Rayna intends to major in Biomedical Engineering as she matriculates to college.
Wenly Rodriguez Hiraldo, Louis E Dieruff High School
Wenly moved here from the Dominican Republic 8 months ago. Her dream is to be a doctor, specifically to be a neurosurgeon.
Natalya Ding, Southern Lehigh High School
In the future, Natalya plans to study the intersection of chemistry, biology, and environmental science.
Sudenaz Mohac, Nazareth Area High School
Sudenaz founded Wonder Lab, a club at Nazareth Area HS that inspires curiosity, deepens understanding, and ignites a passion for STEAM in young minds at Shafer Elementary through hands-on experiments led by high schoolers.
The Da Vinci Science Center STEAM Educator Awards celebrate K-12 educators who facilitate curiosity-driven projects in which all students are encouraged to think broadly across the academic disciplines and connect their learning to their own lives. These teachers guide students in career exploration, meaningful collaboration with peers, and the creative use of technology, helping them develop their STEAM identities as competent problem-solvers and innovators.
Christie Schlaner, Orefield Middle School, Parkland SD
Christie creates a classroom of questioning, investigation, and group work allowing students to connect to real-world situations. She is an advisor of the STEAM Club, a group of 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students that runs the annual STEAMM Expo.
Amy Putlock, Broughal Middle School, Bethlehem Area SD
Amy works to redefine music education through STEAM integration. She integrates audio engineering, music technology, electronic instrument construction, coding, and podcasting with music literacy, instrumental techniques, and songwriting.
Jennifer Gross, Trexler Middle School, Allentown SD
As an educator, Jennifer helped create the Learning in Trexler (LIT) after-school support program and founded the student restorative practices leadership team, Pridekeepers.
