ASU Preparatory Academy leads the way in advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in Arizona by actively participating in the Arizona STEM Acceleration Project (ASAP).
Launched in 2022, this groundbreaking initiative is a collaboration between Arizona State University’s Center for Science and the Imagination and the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
Focused on tackling learning loss and reducing disparities in STEM education, ASAP provides funding and resources to empower educators to create high-quality, freely accessible STEM lessons for teachers across the state.
Guided by the visionary leadership of Michael Vargas, Amanda Whitehurst and Dr. Ruth Wylie, the project has harnessed the expertise and unwavering commitment of Arizona’s educators to fulfill its mission. Dr. Wylie emphasizes, “The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project was born from a belief in the potential of Arizona’s teachers to lead the way in STEM education innovation.”
ASU Prep has been instrumental in this initiative, with 20 of our educators helping to create 1,500 free STEM lesson plans now available statewide. These efforts have significantly enriched Arizona’s educational landscape, earning ASAP two prestigious awards recognizing its contributions to education and innovation.
Celebrating excellence in education
ASAP’s work received two distinguished accolades this year. The first, the Judges Award, was presented as part of the 2024 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation hosted by the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority. This award applauded ASAP’s extraordinary progress in enhancing STEM education and acknowledged its grassroots advocacy across the state.
The project also earned the ASU President’s Award for Social Embeddedness, recognizing its innovative and collaborative approach to engaging the community. This award speaks to ASAP’s dedication to partnerships that create meaningful, lasting change for Arizona students.
Reflecting on the success, Rachna Mathur, Senior STEM Strategist at ASU Prep, shares, “Being part of both the startup team and the implementation at ASU Prep has been incredible. The effort to create thousands of up-to-date STEM resources by teachers, for teachers, shows the power of professional collaboration. It’s all for free—and it’s transforming classrooms.”
Dr. Wylie adds, “The recognition we’ve received recognizes the work of our STEM fellows and the transformative impact they’re making in their communities. Looking ahead, we aim to continue supporting educators throughout the state and fostering a vibrant STEM education ecosystem that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.”
Let’s take a look at that transformative impact in action.
Julia Wright – Hands-on math
Julia Wright, a math and personal finance teacher at ASU Prep Global Academy, designed four stimulating STEM activities to bridge the digital divide and support interactive learning for remote learners.
Partnering with the Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain, Wright worked with gifted middle schoolers to bring abstract concepts to life through real-world applications. Students applied geometry principles by calculating slopes and angles, graphed exponential functions by tracking water cooling rates and solved systems of equations to estimate items in mystery jars. Another activity had students collect temperature data using digital tools, comparing classroom and ambient readings.
“Watching students gain confidence, sharpen their inquisitiveness and trust their independent thinking was incredibly rewarding. The enthusiasm and energy they brought to each project were a testament to the effectiveness of the hands-on approach,” Wright shares.
Danielle Houseman – Coding and creativity
Danielle Houseman, a sixth-grade computer science teacher at ASU Prep STEM Academy, has transformed her STEM Lab into a dynamic space for exploration and innovation.
With support from ASAP funding, she introduced middle school students to Python coding using Edison robots. This project provided hands-on learning opportunities, encouraging students to develop problem-solving skills and explore the potential of computer science.
“I emphasize the importance of collaboration and tackling real-world problems through inquiry,” says Houseman. “I’ve cultivated a space where students are inspired to engage and explore using state-of-the-art technologies.”
Beyond coding, Houseman has spearheaded an array of projects, from hovercraft design and magnetic levitation vehicles to Rubik’s Cube mosaics and bridge engineering. Her diverse initiatives have made the K–6 STEM Lab a hub for discovery, blending science and engineering with curiosity-driven innovation.
Bryce Wolcott – Online labs reimagined
For Bryce Wolcott, an online chemistry and biology teacher at Khan World School at ASU Prep, the challenge was clear—how can students in a remote setting experience high-quality labs?
With the support of ASAP, Wolcott partnered with Science Interactive to provide his students with mail-order lab kits, replicating the hands-on classroom experience. The kits allowed his students to explore complex concepts in chemistry and biology, from chemical reactions to the principles of biology, using professional-grade materials.
“The ability of my students to complete hands-on labs in my courses has been immensely valuable in terms of their content knowledge and engagement,” Wolcott explains.
He also collaborated with Carolina Biological to design high school lab kits, which he plans to pilot soon.
Wolcott credits ASAP with not only helping him innovate in his teaching but also connecting him to a passionate community of STEM educators. Reflecting on the fellowship, he shares, “After nearly 20 years in teaching, this program sparked a new passion for improving my practice and it’s been exciting finding ways to support and learn from other Arizona teachers.”
Transforming STEM education through collaboration
ASAP’s success demonstrates the power of collaboration. By empowering educators with tools, funding and a sense of community, the project has sparked innovation in classrooms across the state. From Julia Wright’s real-world math applications to Danielle Houseman’s dynamic STEM Lab and Bryce Wolcott’s reimagined online labs, ASU Prep teachers have become leaders in redefining STEM education.
Highlighting the program’s broader impact, Mathur notes, “It’s amazing what happens when teachers are empowered to innovate—not just for their schools but for the entire state.”
Through its partnership with ASAP, ASU Prep remains committed to shaping the future of STEM in Arizona, one classroom at a time. And as these teachers and students continue to thrive, the future looks brighter than ever.
