WHEELING, W.Va. – The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) proudly announced the recipients of the 2025 Expand Energy STEM Grants during a special reception held on May 6, celebrating educators who are sparking innovation in local classrooms.
This year, CFOV awarded a total of $20,537.12 in grants to K-12 teachers across Brooke, Ohio, and Marshall counties. The funding supports hands-on, creative projects that bring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) concepts to life in public school classrooms.
The Expand Energy STEM Grant program is designed to empower teachers with resources to implement engaging STEM lessons and activities that fall outside traditional school budgets. Since its launch in 2018, the program has awarded a total of $80,512.20, directly impacting hundreds of students and advancing classroom learning across the Ohio Valley.
“STEM education is crucial for preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s workforce,” said CFOV Executive Director Susie Nelson. “We’re grateful for the dedication and creativity of our region’s educators, and we’re proud to help bring their innovative ideas to life through this grant program.”
Funded projects range from age-appropriate experiments and engineering challenges to technology-infused learning tools—all aimed at enriching student learning through hands-on discovery. Grants of up to $1,000 were awarded for each selected project, prioritizing originality, student impact, and classroom integration.
“From microscopes to hydroponic grow kits, 3D printers and drones, Expand is proud to be able to support our local teachers in ensuring that they have the right tools to enhance classroom learning,” said Expand Energy Community Affairs Manager Stephanie Paluda.
The 2025 recipients were selected through a competitive application process, with proposals evaluated on their potential to enhance student engagement and understanding in STEM subjects. Grantees are required to report on their project outcomes, ensuring transparency and the sharing of successful models for potential replication.
| School Name | Teacher Name | Project Description | Awarded |
| Brooke County (2) | |||
| Brooke High School | Christopher Mockbee | Drone equipment | $1,000.00 |
| Brooke Middle School | Dana Stoll | 3D Printer and supplies | $900.00 |
| Ohio County (14) | |||
| Bethlehem Elementary | Patricia Caldwell | Robot building kits | $1,000.00 |
| Bethlehem Elementary | Deborah Haley and Kiersten Moses | Building a Better World with LEGO | $1,000.00 |
| Bethlehem Elementary | Genevieve Frye | Drones | $1,000.00 |
| Elm Grove Elementary | Bailey Rinkes | LEGO Education SPIKE Essential set | $989.85 |
| Middle Creek Elementary | Eleni Walter | LEGO Robotics Kits | $959.70 |
| Middle Creek Elementary | Jacqueline Hicks | LEGO bricks and materials | $848.57 |
| Ohio County Schools | Karin Butyn | Mural project for Ohio County Schools | $800.00 |
| Warwood Elementary | Heather Puglisi, NBCT | Materials to teach about biomes | $478.18 |
| Warwood Elementary | Christy Davis | Reading and gaming project | $1,000.00 |
| Warwood Middle School | CJ Annett | Microscopes and related materials | $1,000.00 |
| West Liberty Elementary School | Brandy Lackie | Hydroponic Grow System Kits | $1,000.00 |
| Wheeling Middle School | Amanda Long | Gizmos Online Science Simulations | $940.00 |
| Wheeling Park High School | Jennifer Hemplemann | Gizmos Online Science Simulations | $940.00 |
| Woodsdale Elementary School | Jaime Young | Green Kid Crafts and materials | $1,000.00 |
| Marshall County (7) | |||
| Central Elementary | Kellie Helmick | VEX Robitics Kits | $1,074.95 |
| Hilltop Elementary | Allison Rine | Expanding minds with STEM | $900.00 |
| Hilltop Elementary | Sheena Fisher | Stratus Spark – Calming Corner | $840.46 |
| Hilltop Elementary | Bethani Faulstick | Exploring the constellations | $967.00 |
| McNinch Elementary | Shawna Zervos | Little Learners Love Science program | $126.79 |
| Washington Lands Elementary | Julie Sheedy | Morning Science STEM Center | $800.00 |
| Washington Lands Elementary | Ashley Fecat | STEM learning kits | $971.62 |
| $20,537.12 |
