Deb Beard Memorial STEM Scholarship Program

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 taught many Science Subjects that were assigned to her, and her primary certifications were in Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

Debbie was a very energetic Science Teacher that firmly and passionately believed that Science had to be taught ‘BY-DOING’ Science and this naturally led her to ‘Bringing Science’ into her Classroom by way of Gannon University’s ‘Science-in-Motion’ program for her Students and then she would take her Students out of the Classroom to ‘Experience Science’ in our Natural Environments of Erie County. This could have been Annual Envirothon Competitions but most especially at Presque Isle State Park where Deb teamed up with organizations such as the DCNR and the RSC for her Students to engage in so many Science-based Activities & 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 and then in the Spring, Deb and her Students were active with the RSC Weed Warriors, either removing Invasive Plant Species or planting Native Plant Species, thereby improving the Environment & Ecology of our treasured Presque Isle State Park and importantly to teach her Students the value of protecting and preserving this wonderful yet fragile Natural Resource.

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 just revelled 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.