Academic Enrichment Grant 2026-2027 Project Summary

Kenneth Zeigler

Miami Junior High School • Miami, AZ

This project revitalizes an underfunded rural science department by introducing public junior high students to authentic, hands-on scientific research. Led by a passionate educator who came out of retirement to restore the school’s damaged laboratories, the initiative aims to bridge the educational funding gap for a diverse, lower-middle-class mining and ranching community. By shifting away from traditional worksheets and moving toward modern, technology-driven inquiry, the project fosters long-term academic pride and encourages students to pursue future careers in STEM.

The project, which plans to launch in the fall semester of 2026, introduces three core research pathways:

• Greenhouse Carbon Dioxide Research: In a collaborative effort between the science and agriculture departments, students will utilize two donated greenhouses to study the effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide on agricultural plants. This university-level research is entirely groundbreaking for a high school setting.
• Astronomical Observational Studies: Students will use the school’s observatory, telescopes, and built-in spectrophotometer to conduct advanced solar studies and photoelectric photometry of asteroids and variable stars.
• Modern Classroom Instrumentation: The school will expand its use of computerized analytical tools and digital detectors to allow students to gather precise, real-world data during daily classroom experiments.

Student research will extend beyond the classroom through regional science fairs and publication-ready astronomical research papers. By tracking improvements in standardized test scores, science fair placement, and advanced course enrollment, the project aims to transform the school into an academic magnet for the community.

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