2023 STEAM Scholarship Award Winners

H/2023 STEAM Scholarship Award Winners

The Da Vinci Science Center has bestowed its STEAM Scholarship Awards (formerly known as the Hall of Fame Awards) annually since 1999 to students who show a unique passion for science, educators who inspire enthusiasm for science with innovative approaches, professionals and companies who bring science to life every day, and partners who support the Science Center’s mission.

Below are the winners of the 2023 STEAM Scholarship Awards.

2023 STEAM Student Scholarship Award Winners

The Science Center recognizes four exceptional high school students, who have demonstrated a passion for the sciences both in-and-out of the classroom. Each student receives a $2,000 scholarship.

Jessica Esch, Liberty High School

Jessica plans to study computer science at Villanova University.

Nina Rivera, Louis E. Dieruff High School

Nina plans to explore a career in the areas of psychology, neuroscience, and psychiatry.

Evan Lan, Parkland High School

After graduation, Evan will pursue a degree in biomedical engineering.

Rishab Yanala, Parkland High School

Rishab plans to study Biomedical Engineering and is considering several universities to attend in the fall of 2024.

Erel STEM Scholarship Award Winner

This is a scholarship that recognizes an outstanding female high school senior who has demonstrated strong academic ability and a commitment to learning, achievement and serving others in the community. This scholarship provides both a mentorship opportunity as well as financial support of $2,000 to be used toward the cost of tuition.

The Erel STEM Scholarship is funded by Fusun Bubernack, philanthropist and entrepreneur, in honor of her parents, Hasan Fehmi & Sabahat Erel, and their commitment to the importance of quality education and the pursuit of excellence.

Vanessa Ferriolo, Louis E. Dieruff High School

After needing to have emergency neurosurgery in her past, Vanessa became interested in Neurology and plans to become a Neurology Physician’s Assistant. She wants to give children with similar neurological problems the hope for a full recovery.

Sponsored by Fusun Bubernack and ET&T

STEAM Educator Award Winners

The Da Vinci Science Center STEAM Educator Awards celebrate K-12 educators who facilitate curiosity-driven projects in which all students are encouraged to think broadly across the academic disciplines and connect their learning to their own lives. These teachers guide students in career exploration, meaningful collaboration with peers, and the creative use of technology, helping them develop their STEAM identities as competent problem-solvers and innovators.

Kari Bennett, Broughal Middle School, Bethlehem Area SD

Kari teaches in Bethlehem Area School District, which is also her alma mater. She graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology Education, which she now teaches at Broughal Middle School.

Tanya Hendershot, Shawnee Elementary School, Easton Area SD

Tanya’s approach to STEAM teaching in her first-grade classroom is to allow her students to explore the world they live in, with relationship to their own interests, while looking at a multitude of career paths they could follow as they grow in life.

Brandi Kennedy, Louis E. Dieruff High School, Allentown SD

Brandi teaches biology, physical science, environmental science, and geology. In her time at DHS, Brandi has been the recipient of two Teacher Innovation Grants via the Allentown School District Foundation, as well as a Lehigh County conservation grant.