Street recognized as 2025 Don Cargill STEM Scholar

Amber Street, a teacher at Swainsboro Elementary School, has been recognized as one of the 2025 Don Cargill STEM Scholars. The Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center (GYSTC) acknowledged Ms. Street’s exceptional efforts to engage students and enhance their learning in STEM disciplines. As part of this recognition, Ms. Street will receive a $500 grant to purchase STEM education materials for her classroom.

In response to the announcement, Ms. Street said, “I am deeply honored to be selected for the 2025 Don Cargill STEM Scholar Award, which recognizes educators committed to providing innovative STEM opportunities for their students. This award offers a meaningful opportunity to bring even more hands-on, impactful STEM experiences into my classroom while continuing to foster creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills in my students. Through my experiences teaching coding in initiatives such as Emanuel County Schools’ Techie Camp and Swainsboro Elementary School’s Tiger Time, I have witnessed how STEM education can transform the way students view themselves and their future possibilities. It has been incredibly rewarding to see their excitement and growth as they tackle challenges, develop confidence, and cultivate abilities that will serve as a foundation for success in our ever-growing world of technology.”

When asked how she will use the funds, Ms. Street replied, “I intend to use the funds awarded to purchase a set of Retro Arcade for Education consoles, a tool Shanna Foskey, Joseph O’Neal, and I successfully piloted during Techie Camp this past summer. I was amazed by the creativity and collaboration these consoles inspired as elementary students learned to code and design their own arcade-style games in just a few days! Bringing these consoles into my classroom year-round will open doors to ongoing coding instruction, allowing students to deepen their skills, explore innovative projects, and spark a lifelong passion for STEM. This award will not only enhance classroom resources but also ensure my students are better equipped for a future driven by technology and innovation. It truly is quite a blessing. I am especially grateful to Georgia Youth Science and Technology Centers, Inc., including our GYSTC representative Erin Youmans, Stefanie Mason, and my administrators, for their steadfast support in creating opportunities for students and empowering educators, like me, to advance STEM education in Emanuel County.”

GYSTC is a private, non-profit educational organization based at Kennesaw State University, with regional centers and programs throughout Georgia. Its mission is to increase interest and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among teachers and students in grades K-8.

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