Educator Grants Program

Overview of Program

Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness is a nonprofit organization that advocates for all aspects of nuclear technologies. Our mission is to educate the public by providing objective information on the value of nuclear technology with respect to our health, economy, environment and national security.

We live in a radioactive world! We use nuclear science and technology to power our homes, diagnose and treat serious health issues, make our food supplies safe and high yielding, and make our world better. However, some members of the public lack understanding of the concepts of radiation and nuclear materials, how we can deal with them safely, and how important they are to our lives.

CNTA developed the Educator Grants Program as an alternative to its classroom and field trip experiences for teachers. The program is an opportunity to support local teachers in their classrooms and give them the resources to develop projects or enhance their student’s experience with science and technology.

The grants can be used to fund a project in any area of science or technology; however, proposals that promote an increased understanding of atomic and nuclear fundamentals, radiation and nuclear materials safety, and applications of nuclear technology will be given extra consideration.

Eligibility

K-12 teachers in the South Carolina counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, and Orangeburg; and in the Georgia counties of Columbia, Richmond, and Burke are invited to submit proposals. Teachers who are members of CNTA are also eligible to apply regardless of school location.

Apply

Applications for the 2026 Educator Grant Program are now being accepted.

CNTA Educator Grants Program Announcement- 2026 has details on the program for this year.

CNTA 2026 Educator Grant Application must be completed and returned to submit your grant application.

Schedule

The completed application should be sent by email to office@cntaware.org. A return email will be sent within 2 business days of application receipt. In the subject line, type “CNTA Educator Grants Program.” Original copies should be kept for your records.

2026 Educator Grants Winner

Information on the 2026 winner is coming soon!

Past Winners

2025 Educator Grant Winners:

• Rhonda Smith, Blythe Elementary School
• Amanda Waymer, Aiken Scholars Academy
• Kayla Long, Community Christian Academy
• Marco Villegas, A. Dorothy Haines Elementary School
• Randall Williams, McBean Elementary School
• Brandi Harley, Redcliffe Elementary School

2024 Educator Grant Winners:

• Rus George & Stephanie Ford, Westabou Montessori
• Amanda H. Waymer, Aiken Scholars Academy
• Gwen Fundak, Jefferson Elementary
• Amy Wolfe, Mossy Creek Elementary
• Regina Dunbar, Paul Knox Middle

2023 Grant Winners:

• Carrie Lucas, elementary special education, Warrenville Elementary School
• Michalene Langford, elementary special education, Warrenville Elementary School
• Jennifer Donaldson, elementary STEM, Richmond Hill K-8
• Crystal McDowell, 10^th-12^th grade biology, Greenbriar High School
• Leslie Olig, media specialist, Euchee Creek Elementary School

2022 Grant Winners:

• Jayne Andrews, 6^th grade, Riverside Middle School
• David Kassner; 10^th-12^th grade, Lakeside High School
• Donita Legoas, 6^th grade earth science and STEM, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School
• Nasiba White and Anna Reed; 2^nd-8^th grade, Savannah River Academy
• Kristina Istre, 8^th grade physical science and STEM, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School

2021 Grant Winners:

• Angela Virella, 6^th grade ELA and social studies, Jackson STEM Middle School
• Kristina Istre, 8^th grade physical science and STEM, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School
• Donita Legoas, 6^th grade earth science and STEM, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School

2020 Grant Winners:

• Antonino Carnevali, 12^th grade Physics, Governor’s School for Science & Math
• David Kassner, Susan Rutt, and Hannah Wingrove; 10^th grade Chemistry; Lakeside High School
• Kristina Istre, 8^th grade science, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School
• Donita Legoas, 6^th grade science, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School
• Trina Stidem and Alvina Jackson, middle-level intro to coding, Langley Bath Clearwater Middle School
• Angela Virella, 6^th grade social studies, Jackson STEM Middle School

2019 Grant Winners:

• Jack Overholser, 10^th and 11^th grade chemistry, South Aiken High School
• Kacee Poppy, Honors & AP Chemistry I, South Aiken High School
• Andrie McFadden, 9^th-12^th grade welding, TW Josey High School/MEB Career Center