Sparklight announced on April 24 that it has awarded a $2,500 STEM grant to Genoa Central High School in Texarkana as part of its annual “Dream Bigger” social media campaign. The grant is intended to support innovative science, technology, engineering and math education opportunities for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
The funding will enable the school to introduce electrophoresis—a laboratory technique used for separating and analyzing DNA—into classroom instruction. This initiative aims to give students hands-on experience with biotechnology concepts.
“We are incredibly grateful to be selected as a Sparklight Dream Bigger winner,” said Melodie Smith, Genoa Central High School biology teacher. “As a small school, this funding is transformative, allowing us to bring biotechnology into our STEM program and provide students with hands-on, real-world learning experiences that inspire curiosity, build confidence and prepare them for future careers.”
Kenny Walker, Sparklight Senior Regional Director for South Central region said: “Strong communities start with strong schools and access to meaningful learning experiences. This grant helps bring advanced science concepts to life for students and supports educators who are preparing the next generation for careers in STEM.”
Since its inception in 2019, Sparklight’s “Dream Bigger” initiative has distributed more than $200,000 in grants supporting STEM education and expanding access to innovative learning opportunities across K–12 schools. In 2026 alone, twelve schools and organizations within Sparklight’s twenty-four state service area were chosen for funding of impactful student-focused projects.
More information about Sparklight’s services can be found at www.sparklight.com.
