The Lancaster Science Factory was selected from more than 2,000 national applicants as one of 64 quarterfinalists for the 2022 Yass Prize. All 64 finalists will receive a $100,000 award and move into the next phase to compete for awards up to $1 million before the end of the year.

The quarterfinalists were recently announced at the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Detroit. The awardees, located in 33 states and the District of Columbia, represent eight different kinds of education providers.

The award highlights education providers that strive to offer education that is sustainable, transformational, outstanding and permissionless (STOP). In conjunction with the $1 million Yass Prize, which will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Forbes on Fifth, the STOP Awards Initiative will distribute over $10 million to honor the remaining education innovators, providers and entrepreneurs through the course of the competition.

The next phase will determine the 32 semifinalists, which have the ability to receive a $200,000 STOP Award and will take part in a four-week hybrid accelerator program. The applicants will be paired with an array of technology leaders, change agents and investors to identify ways to take their ideas to the next level. This philanthropy model is intended to reward innovators in the education space and amplify their work through numerous experiences and an extensive mentorship network.

At the end of the accelerator process, organizers will name the seven finalists, from which the grand prize winner will be chosen. The remaining six finalists will each receive a $250,000 STOP Award.

The Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless Education is powered by the Center for Education Reform in partnership with Forbes. For more information, visit http://www.YassPrize.org.

The Lancaster Science Factory is a nonprofit science center located at 454 New Holland Ave., Lancaster. Its mission is to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence by fostering an inclusive environment for hands-on STEM exploration. The center seeks to make the facility and educational programs accessible to all. To learn more, visit http://www.LancasterScienceFactory.org.