STEMKids Launches into Exciting Research Mentorship Program

Dr. Coleman Bailey instructing children about vision during the first STEMKids Research Mentorship Program meeting on February 20, 2026. Photo credits: Bethany Atwood

Bethany Atwood, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn

After only a couple of months following the STEMKids’ first anniversary, a new and exciting program appeared behind the scenes. Designed to broaden and encourage the minds of Watauga’s kids, the STEMKids Research Mentorship Program is hosting research project opportunities for elementary and middle school kids throughout Watauga County. An extension of the existing STEMKids weekly experiences, this mentorship program has a special focus on discovery and development, with the ultimate goal of allowing kids to participate in science fair projects beyond Watauga County.

Led by Watauga High School students, the STEMKids Research Mentorship Program offers Watauga County students the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of STEM through scientific research and discovery.

“The STEMKids Research Mentorship Program, and also the STEMKids expo, is an opportunity for the students in our county, grades 3rd through 8th, to participate in research projects and take those to a higher level competition, if they want to do so,” said senior Lilla Heath, co-founder of STEMKids.

Although STEMKids has been leading science demonstrations and programs for children in Watauga County for a little over a year, the mentorship program has a different goal. The program is intentionally designed to provide expanded opportunities for children in western North Carolina to explore science research.

“We saw the benefits of providing that opportunity for younger students, because if you start earlier, then you are going to be more likely to want to do it in high school and do it at a higher level, and being in a rural county in Western North Carolina, there are not a lot of opportunities available,” said Heath.

Children involved in the STEMKids Research Mentorship Program are given a lot of freedom in choosing which projects they want to pursue. While they have to choose between categories such as chemistry, engineering, technology, and consumer science, the children are able to select a unique topic within that category to explore what they are interested in.

“Our whole goal is to provide education opportunities outside of school, beyond homework and lesson plans, and all of these kids can choose whatever they’re passionate about,” said Heath. “They can be interested in sports or baking, and they can look more into it, research it, and build a project off of it.”

The STEMKids Research Mentorship Program is organized and made possible through the efforts and dedication of Watauga’s very own student volunteers. Every Friday afternoon, student volunteers gather and set up a lively program for the children of Watauga County to experience the excitement of science. There is never a dull moment for the volunteers of the STEMKids Research Mentorship Program.

“It’s a great way to get service hours, be involved in your community, and help the younger generation,” said junior STEMKids officer Naomi Smith.

Through the combined efforts of Watauga High students, Watauga administrators, and the curiosity and willingness of the Watauga County children, the STEMKids Research Mentorship Program has set the stage for an exciting new era of science education in Watauga. The opportunities provided by the program are innovative and, most importantly, fun.

“They’re learning how to research, they’re learning how to be dedicated, hardworking,” said Smith. “Those are really important skills for higher education, and they’re learning them early on.”