West Virginia University Receives $800,000 STEM Grant To Help Underrepresented High School Students

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University will get $800,000 from the National Science Foundation to recruit underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

The state's U.S. senators, Democrat Joe Manchin and Republican Shelley Moore Capito announced the funding Wednesday.

The project will include research and education with high school biology students in rural schools, a news release said. Students will study a parasitic orchid species native to Appalachia.

"This project will serve as an educational opportunity for high school students in West Virginia, especially in rural communities where recruitment to STEM is low and will recruit underrepresented students in STEM including first-generation college students," Manchin said in a statement.

Capito said that the funding will help "students better understand native plant life in Appalachia."

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