Academic Enrichment Grant 2025-2026 Project Summary

Stephanie King

Granger High School • Grandview, WA

This project will bring together students, teachers, and community partners to conduct authentic astronomical research through the creation of a school-based observatory. By collaborating with Hanford’s Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory and the Yakima Astronomy Club, students at Granger High School will gain access to real-world scientific tools and mentorship. With the purchase of a telescope, binoculars, and CCD cameras, the project will support STEM education while also developing students’ language acquisition, cultural awareness, and interpersonal communication skills. Most significantly, it will create a hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunity for a student population that is historically underserved—over 90% Hispanic, 95% low-income, and 31% multilingual learners. This initiative will offer a new, inclusive pathway into science and research for students who have often been excluded from such opportunities.

In addition to enriching student learning, this project will be transformative for participating teachers. The leadership team—two experienced educators in science and English—will design and implement cross curricular learning experiences rooted in evidence-based strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration. Drawing on the work of Mike Schmoker (Results Now) and research from the American Astronomical Society, this team will integrate high-impact instructional practices to improve outcomes for multilingual and low-income students. Teachers will engage in meaningful professional development through planning, collaboration, and the dissemination of lessons and outcomes across local and regional networks. This work will not only raise instructional quality within the classroom but also model for other educators how to blend content areas, engage diverse learners, and connect classrooms with community science in a sustainable, equity-driven framework.

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