Schools
Worcester Educator Selected For National STEM Advocate Program
A longtime science educator in Worcester has been selected for a national program to expand student research opportunities.
WORCESTER, MA — A longtime science educator in Worcester has been selected for a national program to expand student research opportunities.
Jocelyn Coughlin, a 24-year educator at Worcester Technical High School who has chaired the school’s Science Department for the past decade, will receive a $3,000 stipend as one of 87 educators selected for Society for Science’s 2026-27 Advocate Program, the organization announced on Tuesday.
The yearlong program provides professional development, training and mentorship to help educators guide students through original research and science competitions.
Coughlin teaches biology, leads curriculum development and founded the school’s first Tech Science Fair, according to Society for Science.
“This opportunity will directly impact my students by allowing me to better guide them through real-world research and support their entry into STEM competitions, particularly for those who may not traditionally have access to these opportunities,” Coughlin said in the announcement.
The 2026-2027 cohort includes 87 Advocates and 13 Lead Advocates who will mentor educators in regional groups. Society for Science is investing $326,000 in the program, including $3,000 stipends for Advocates and $5,000 stipends for Lead Advocates.
Since the program began, it has supported 439 educators and more than 9,100 students, according to the Society for Science. More than 6,700 of those students have submitted over 12,000 entries to STEM competitions.
