North Dakota’s Gateway to Science is proud to announce that STEM Educator Annie Beck has been selected as the new North Dakota STEM Research Ambassador for the Society for Science.

This new role is a direct result of an exciting partnership between NDGTS and the Society for Science, designed to expand access to authentic STEM research opportunities for students and teachers across the state. 

Connecting Classrooms to Research 

As STEM Research Ambassador, Annie will connect with educators, administrators, and science fair directors to identify needs and resource gaps in North Dakota classrooms. She will also lead professional learning cohorts, provide training for educators, and help schools develop meaningful student research opportunities. This work will not only strengthen STEM education in North Dakota but also link local efforts to the Society’s national network of programs, educators, and competitions. 

For Annie, this role is a natural extension of her work at NDGTS. Annie has long integrated research into her classrooms—whether helping students grow tomato seeds that traveled on the International Space Station, test local waterways for salinity levels, or design community-based projects with real-world impact. At NDGTS, she recently spearheaded the completion of the Outdoor Explorium project, a nature-based learning space that connects STEM with hands-on exploration. 

A Partnership for Statewide Impact 

The partnership between NDGTS and the Society for Science builds on our organization’s mission to inspire the discovery of science through hands-on experiences. By bringing authentic student research opportunities into more North Dakota schools, we are helping students build critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills that will serve them for a lifetime. 

We are thrilled to see Annie step into this role and grateful for the chance to work alongside the Society for Science to make STEM research more accessible for students and teachers across the state. 

Together, we are creating pathways for North Dakota’s next generation of scientists and innovators.