Community Engagement
Igniting Curiosity Honors Students Launch STEM Learning Nonprofit
What began as a competition entry has grown into a promising new outreach effort. Clemson Honors students Elizabeth “Mercy” Crapps and Ryan Mehlem co-founded ARCS-Ed (Advancing Rural Communities through STEM Education), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects college students with middle school classrooms to inspire curiosity through hands-on science learning. “There are students across South Carolina with the potential to change the world,” said Crapps, a Biological Sciences major and National Scholar. “They just need someone to ignite that spark early.” Crapps and Mehlem, a Biochemistry major, developed the idea behind ARCS-Ed as part of the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina’s Pay It Forward competition, which challenged students to create solutions for rural issues. The project earned top honors among Clemson submissions and a $1,000 prize for each member of their team. Their prize entry proposal included designs for engaging experiments — from CO₂ color-change reactions to flaming dollar bill demonstrations — to make science accessible, exciting, and memorable. They have already tested those experiments with students across the Upstate, including at James M. Brown Elementary and Robert Anderson Middle School.
Now that its nonprofit status is official, ARCS-Ed is expanding its outreach with school partnerships, a growing volunteer network, and guidance from an advisory board of educators and outreach leaders. “Mercy and Ryan reflect the spirit of what we hope to inspire in all Honors students — curiosity, courage, and a drive to make a difference,” said Jeff Fine, senior associate dean of the Honors College. “Their work is Honors education in action.” “This initiative is our way of giving back and paying forward the opportunities Clemson gave us. It’s about making STEM accessible and exciting for every student, no matter their ZIP code.” Ryan Mehlem
Learn more at arcs-ed.org.
ARCS-Ed co-founder Elizabeth “Mercy” Crapps delivering a STEM experiment at an Upstate middle school.
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