Deb Beard Memorial STEM Scholarship Program
Apply for the Deb Beard Memorial Scholarship
Deborah ‘Debbie’ Beard was a tireless advocate for her students at both Strong Vincent High School, East High School and eventually at Erie High School. Debbie enjoyed teaching many different subjects in the sciences including chemistry, biology and physics.
Debbie was a very energetic science teacher and firmly and passionately believed that science had to be taught ‘BY-DOING’ science. This naturally led her to adopt Gannon University’s ‘Science-in-Motion’ program in the classroom and to take her students outside to experience science through the natural wonders of Erie County. These outdoor learning experiences included Annual Envirothon Competitions and most especially outings at Presque Isle State Park where Deb teamed up with organizations such as the DCNR and the RSC to get her students engaged in so many science-based activities and experiments.
Some of the best-known projects and programs that she exposed her High School students to were: the Annual International Coastal Cleanup-Day in September followed by the RSC Annual Research Symposium in November. Every Spring, Deb and her Students were active with the RSC Weed Warriors, removing invasive plant species or planting native plant species, thereby not only educating her students but also improving the environment and ecology of our treasured Presque Isle State Park.
Debbie was always a keen and enthusiastic contributor on science committees and on the myriad of science curriculum changes and adaptations that had to be made, whether from the Erie School District or the PDE. Deb was in the true sense, a life-long learner and teacher and reveled in passing on her knowledge and passion for learning to her students and indeed her colleagues!
Please consider a donation to the Regional Science Consortium Deb Beard Scholarship Program. Funds raised in Deb’s honor will provide scholarship funds to high school students pursuing a career in a STEM field. The Regional Science Consortium is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support to Deb’s memory and passion for teaching students about science and the environment.
Her positive impact was felt around the world. As an example of this, we share with you the following quote from one of her former exchange students:
“I was very much saddened to hear of Mrs. Beard’s passing. She was my chemistry, astronomy and meteorology teacher during my exchange year 2012/13, that I spent at Strong Vincent in Erie. I noticed the passion and fascination that was the foundation of her teaching, and was able to learn so much during this short one year . . . .
She inspired and encouraged me to further pursue my interests in science. I wanted to contact her this spring after finishing my MSc in materials science, to thank her for the fire she sparked within me . . . .
I was captured by that child-like excitement she shared with us. It is something I want to never loose while I further pursue science, and do a PhD. I would have liked to tell her all about it, and I’m sure she would have enjoyed every bit of my rambling.”
Apply for the Deb Beard Memorial Scholarship