MONTE VISTA— The San Luis Valley Regional Science Fair is pleased to announce that Loree Harvey, high school science teacher  from Monte Vista High School, has been selected for the Society for Science and the Public 2019-2020 Advocate Grant Program. From almost 300 applicants, 60 advocates were selected.  

The Advocate Grant Program seeks to empower adult mentors to transition underserved middle and  high school students from conducting scientific or engineering research to completing applications for  science research competitions. Entering these competitions can provide students with invaluable  experiences that boost confidence in academic performance, enhance scientific and writing skills and  foster a passion for scientific inquiry. Inspired by their experiences, many students choose to pursue  post-secondary studies in a STEM field, leading to more scientific careers from low-income and  underrepresented populations.  

Advocates are awarded a stipend to support their students by identifying appropriate science research  competitions, keeping track of deadlines, gathering the information the application requires, and  helping students to maintain a strong group to support each other additionally, Advocates receive  training and ongoing support from the Society and communicate regularly with a cohort of fellow  program participants.  
Harvey is also very interested in supporting other school districts and sponsors in the development and expansion of their science fair programs. She plans on developing outreach strategies that will provide ideas and resources for teachers who wish to offer their students authentic opportunities to practice real science and present their work at the San Luis Valley Regional Science Fair.

The program is made possible by Arconic Foundation, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and Regeneron.