Microgrant Program Started in 2024 to Commemorate Firm’s 60th Anniversary Expanded to Recognize More Winners in Additional Florida and Georgia Counties

MELBOURNE, Fla. – March 24, 2025 – BRPH, a nationally ranked architecture, engineering and construction firm, announced today it will award up to 10 grants of up to $1,000 each to K-12 educators who teach science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) in selected counties throughout Florida and Georgia. The firm created the STEAM Educator Microgrant program in 2024 in celebration of its 60th anniversary to support educators and help instill a passion for STEAM learning among elementary and secondary students. Last fall, the firm awarded $1,000 grants to six educators, three in Florida and three in Georgia. The program was so well received, the firm has decided to expand the program to as many as 10 total grants and has expanded the number of eligible counties in both states. The grants will be used to fund hands-on and immersive projects that educators might otherwise not have funds to execute. The contest is open to educators at private, public and charter schools.

To be eligible, educators must teach in one of the following counties/school districts:

  • Florida: Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Seminole, Volusia
  • Georgia: Bibb, Carroll, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Paulding, Walton

Educators must complete the application form at https://bit.ly/4hKE1rQ by July 31, 2025, and provide the following information:

  • A detailed description of the proposed project with a clear explanation of how the project relates to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics curriculum.
  • An explanation of how the proposed project will provide hands-on, immersive lesson(s) to inspire students’ interest in STEAM topics.
  • A detailed budget and timeline to explain how and when the funds will be spent, as well as the total number of students impacted. Educators may request any amount up to $1,000.

Recipients of the grants will be announced in fall 2025. See application for complete rules and requirements.

“BRPH has been providing architecture, design and engineering services for the education market throughout our 61-year history and we’re deeply invested in improving the lives of faculty, staff and students,” said Brian Curtin, CEO of BRPH. “We are especially proud to support the hard-working teachers in the districts where we do business and to help inspire the next generation of STEAM scholars who will one day join us as architects, engineers and constructors.”

Winners of the 2024 BRPH STEAM Educator Microgrants included:photo of child's hand using digital microscope to look at finger, with fingerprint on laptop

  • Nicole Sherburne at Dr. W.J. Creel Elementary School in Melbourne, Fla.
  • Stephanie Thomas at Sabal Point Elementary School in Longwood. Fla.
  • Kayla Wildenthaler at MILA Elementary School in Merritt Island, Fla.
  • Kimberly Cliatt at Walnut Grove Elementary School in Covington, Ga.
  • Stephanie Schumacher at Mary Lin Elementary School in Atlanta, Ga.
  • N’neka Taylor at Michelle Obama STEM Academy in Hampton, Ga.

Winning projects included aquaponics systems, digital microscopes, LEGO building kits, soapbox derby supplies, a monarch butterfly garden and supplies to design and build miniature houses.

ABOUT BRPH – BRPH is a technically focused, creative AEC firm dedicated to solving clients’ most challenging problems through architecture, engineering, design, interior design, construction and mission solutions. The firm partners with mission-driven clients in the aerospace, defense, manufacturing, commercial, education, entertainment and hospitality markets to identify gaps in their program delivery, then plans, designs, manages and constructs facilities and solutions that get the job done – beautifully and intelligently. Founded in 1964 to support America’s space program, BRPH is consistently ranked among the nation’s top firms and has completed a wide range of projects across the United States and throughout the world. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, BRPH operates regional offices in Jacksonville, Orlando and Boca Raton, Florida; Atlanta; Charleston, South Carolina; Huntsville, Alabama; Seattle; Phoenix; Santa Barbara and Palmdale, California. For more information, visit brph.com.