U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science’s Post

Valley City State University has been named a 2024-2025 STEM School of Excellence in recognition of a wide range of STEM-related initiatives the university leads or collaborates on. The award was announced by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) STEM Center for Teaching and Learning, which annually recognizes schools for their commitment to providing a robust integrative STEM education experience. ➡️ Read more at https://lnkd.in/gwJaV5FU

In this article from VP of Global Educational Strategy Jason McKenna, he advocates for an early start to STEM education. 🧠 He explains that by the age of 6, many children already perceive computer science, engineering, and physics as male domains and emphasizes that "early exposure to STEM is essential to combat these stereotypes and foster an inclusive, equitable future in STEM fields." This article also offers action items for district leaders in order to achieve early STEM education within schools. 🗞️ Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/42qGSC8

Interested in engaging with the five equity frames for STEM education from the NASEM report, Equity in preK-12 STEM education: Framing decisions for the future? Yesterday, Mike Heinz invited me to work with a group of New Jersey leaders to explore those frames together. Here's the slide deck, in case it's useful for science leaders to explore frames with educators: https://lnkd.in/d4f7bmZk

Concord University Leverages Prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant to Help Those with STEM Degrees Become Valuable Teachers in Rural America https://lnkd.in/eKqNduws

Our work with encouraging and inspiring STEM education with local students in the national spotlight. Enjoyed highlighting all our great work in this recent article #STEMEducation #EmpoweringAppalachia #AppalachiaOpportunity

This probably applies to most disciplines…

Happy anniversary to the Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge Program! This year, the program celebrated 20 years of improving representation in STEM fields. Studies have shown that underrepresented minority students are more likely to use a master’s degree as a pathway to obtain a Ph.D. To increase the number of underrepresented minority students engaged in Ph.D.-level STEM research, in 2004 Fisk University and Vanderbilt partnered to form the Bridge Program. At the time, they had no idea how impactful it would be. “I stumbled on this program, and I respected what it stood for,” said Hannah Nnabugwu, who is working toward her master’s in chemistry from Fisk. “I am in this program because I want to grow my resume and network, meet people who are similar to myself, and create a solid foundation—mentally and physically—and skills before entering into a doctorate program, especially with having access to the resources at Vanderbilt University.” Celebrate the Bridge Program’s anniversary, learn more about its history, and hear more student experiences ⬇ https://lnkd.in/ewsNGuXn

The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council at the Department announced their 2025-26 menu for the STEM Scale-Up Program today. It's packed with science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs that PK-12 educators can apply for starting next week. https://lnkd.in/gdYr-7Vn

"I'm not a science person" I've heard that reaction so many times from adults after sharing I have a PhD in chemistry. But it stings differently and more impactfully, when it comes from a student. From a kid who hides behind that identity as a protection mechanism, thinking it will lower my expectations of them, to a kid using it as an excuse to "check out." Or a kid who just is not that interested in the content because their passion is in drama, or political science, or poetry, or fine arts, or.... I've found that when a student takes on that as part of their identity, it is rooted in not having experienced science yet. The true experience of developing an experiment you care about, the struggle of carrying it out, gathering data, and the satisfaction of answering your question. Because the truth is, we should all have a part of our identity rooted in the scientific method. The curiosity and creativity, the perseverance, the skepticism, the methodical approach, the critical thinking and problem solving, the project management... We need more STEM research experiences, earlier, and often! So when I read this report, I found it to be so valuable, so validating, as someone who has dedicated their career to STEM research education. And this part stood out to me: "Of all the arguments supporting increased investment in STEM education R&D to solve our current STEM crisis – tepid federal spending, ominously powerful inventions, and the dearth of talent for advancing and managing those inventions – a fourth argument eclipses each of them: STEM education improves the lives of individuals irrespective of their occupation. And in so doing, STEM education improves communities and the country at large. Learners fortunate to enjoy quality STEM education develop creativity through imaginative design, interpretation, and representation of investigations. The tools they use strengthen technology literacy. The mode of discovery is highly social, honing communication and cooperation skills. With no sage-on-the-stage they develop independence of thought. Failure happens, forging perseverance and resilience in its wake. Asking and answering questions nurtures curiosity. Defending and refuting ideas cultivates critical thinking, Truth and facts are evidence-based yet always tentative. Empathy is cultivated through alternative interpretations or points of view. And confidence to pursue STEM as a career comes from doing STEM. The prospect of an entire population of Americans thus equipped is the most compelling case for strategically increased R&D investment in STEM education." Every student should have STEM experiences that make them feel like a science kid, even if its not their career choice. Stay tuned! We at STEMbridge Consulting are developing new core offerings and are undergoing a website revamp. Can't WAIT to share what we've been working on as we try to ensure all students are having valuable STEM research experiences, early and often.

These sessions are always amazing, and STEM education is a hot topic right now. If you are interested how STEM is changing and how the spaces that house it are evolving, please sign up at the link below! #STEM #education #hdr