Highlands Biological Station’s STEM Outreach Program that serves preK-12 schools throughout the rural mountain counties of western North Carolina, will likely be discontinued in early 2026.
The program offers more than 50 different place-based science programs that integrate multiple subject areas and align with NC science Essential Standards.
“Sadly, our longstanding and celebrated HBS school Outreach Program will likely be discontinued at the end of February, because our primary grant award (the NC Science Museums Grant Program) was reduced by 50%,” said Patrick Brannon, HBS Outreach Education Specialist.
In 2021, HBS school Outreach was awarded the “Exceptional Environmental Education Program” by EENC.
“Our science programming supplements existing lessons and curricula by bringing additional resources to classrooms and outdoor learning laboratories for a diversity of students, including demographics that might otherwise have limited opportunity for direct interaction with the natural world,” said Patrick Brannon, HBS Outreach Education Specialist. “For example, a teacher recently remarked that one of her special-needs students is usually nonverbal, except for when ‘Mr. Patrick’ visits with his science lessons.”
Informal science education, such as those offered through museums and nature centers, extends student learning beyond the classroom through activities that reinforce STEM concepts, and can raise student interest, confidence, academic achievement, and desire for science careers.
By building longstanding relationships with teachers, schools throughout the mountain region have come to depend on HBS Outreach as a regular part of their annual science curriculum. Now, its Outreach Program has even become multi-generational.
“Recently, a new teacher at Highlands School commented that she was excited to have me visit her classroom, because she enjoyed my presentations back when she was a first-grade student there,” mused Brannon.
Highlands Biological Station averages two Outreach programs every day, most often at different schools. “Local teachers usually schedule programs months in advance, as my calendar fills almost immediately due to high demand,” Brannon said.
Over the past 22 years, HBS Outreach has delivered over 4,500 STEM Programs to 159,000 preK-12 students across the region.
In 2025 alone, Brannon has presented more than 350 programs to nearly 16,500 children, including 65 different schools and other community organizations throughout 11 different WNC counties inclduing Macon and Jackson.
“Because most are remote, economically disadvantaged Title I schools with limited budgets, science programs are presented in the classroom or at nearby outdoor recreational areas at minimal or no charge. This permits schools to take advantage of our educational resources without a cost or travel burden, while also allowing HBS to serve a greater number and wider range of students and teachers,” stated Brannon.
Despite being a part of WCU, the HBS school Outreach Program currently receives no direct financial support from the University. It also receives no monetary assistance from the Highlands Biological Foundation. Consequently, HBS Outreach is forced to rely entirely on grants and other external funding sources for its sustainability.
“Maybe some compassionate, philanthropic person will read this and come to our aid,” said Brannon. “In the meantime, we strive to secure financial support in other ways, with the hope of ensuring continuity for the thousands of school children of western North Carolina who benefit from this important community service every year.”
- Staff Reports