Melanie Davis Hardy of Bentonia, a sixth-grade science teacher at Yazoo County Middle School, has been named a 2025 National STEM Scholar, one of only ten middle school science teachers selected from across the country for this prestigious honor.
The National STEM Scholar Program, created by the National Stem Cell Foundation in partnership with The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University (WKU), provides advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) training, project funding, and national networking opportunities for middle school teachers.
Hardy was chosen based on her innovative “big idea” classroom project proposal, a hallmark of the selection process designed to identify creative approaches with high impact potential in middle school science education. Participants will travel to WKU in Bowling Green, Kentucky, from May 25 to May 31, where they will engage in a week of hands-on STEM professional development and collaborate with fellow Scholars from across the U.S.
“As an educator with thirty years of experience, I continuously seek innovative and engaging ideas that ignite curiosity and foster exploration among my sixth-grade students,” Hardy said. “I am grateful to be a part of the National STEM Scholar Program, collaborating with teachers nationwide as we enhance our understanding of how to effectively integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into our classrooms.”
Research shows that middle school is a critical time when many students decide whether to pursue STEM-related subjects. The National STEM Scholar Program aims to spark interest and build confidence in STEM learning during these pivotal years — particularly in public and rural schools like those in Yazoo County.
By June 2026, the 100 teachers who have completed the program over the past decade will have directly and indirectly impacted more than 190,000 middle school students nationwide. Hardy’s selection ensures that Yazoo County students will be part of this growing legacy of STEM excellence.
For more about the National STEM Scholar Program, visit: www.nationalstemcellfoundation.org
