Year-End Special: Rural Innovation Spotlight & 2025 Funding Preview
SLE Summary 12/20/2024
Roots of Innovation – How Putnam County is Cultivating STEM in Every Subject
Through a powerful partnership between STEM2Hub and the Putnam County School District, rural northeast Florida is experiencing an educational transformation that weaves STEM learning into every aspect of school life - from physics in physical education to engineering in art class. This STEM Ecosystem collaboration has created an innovative approach that breaks down traditional subject barriers, proving that STEM education can thrive anywhere when supported by strong community partnerships. What started as a mobile makerspace has blossomed into a comprehensive program that's transforming not just education but the entire community, demonstrating how STEM Ecosystems can create lasting change in rural areas.
The National STEM Learning Summit is now accepting applications for speakers.
News & Opportunities
East Syracuse Minoa Central School District STEM Learning Ecosystem: 25 Girls Attend Panel with Female STEM Leaders
Twenty-five girls from ESM participated in a panel discussion featuring prominent female leaders in STEM, including Heather Drake Bianchi and NewsChannel 9 Meteorologist Kate Thornton. The event aimed to inspire and empower young women by sharing personal experiences and insights from successful professionals in the field. Moderated by Cary Mullin, the panel emphasized the importance of mentorship and representation in STEM careers. Read more.
4th Quarter Afterschool STEM Research Review | Afterschool STEM Hub
The Afterschool STEM Research Review newsletter, brought to you by the Afterschool STEM Hub, aims to provide you with summaries of recent research from the field of afterschool, summer, and out-of-school time science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. They want to offer ideas and recommendations for how the findings can be applied to practice, further research, and policy. This edition focuses on afterschool programs supporting youth-led community change. The two articles we review evaluate both the programs’ impact on youth and the youths’ impact on their communities.
BROADCOM FOUNDATION Champions Women in Engineering | Broadcom Foundation
This article highlights Broadcom Foundation's commitment to advancing women in engineering through scholarships, mentorship programs, and STEM education initiatives. It emphasizes fostering diversity in STEM fields by supporting women at various stages of their educational and professional journeys. The foundation aims to inspire and empower the next generation of female engineers to thrive in technology-driven careers.
Why Supporting STEM Education Helps Ensure U.S. Prosperity | NewsUSA
NewsUSA highlights the importance of STEM education for maintaining U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation leadership. The article emphasizes that investing in STEM education creates a skilled workforce capable of driving technological advancements and economic growth. It likely discusses various initiatives and programs aimed at promoting STEM learning, from early education through higher education and workforce development, to ensure America's continued prosperity in the global economy.
DoD STEM HBCU/MI Summer Research Internship Program
The DoD HBCU/MI Summer Research Internship Program offers research opportunities for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions. This program provides hands-on experience in various scientific and technological fields related to defense research. Participants gain valuable skills and connections while contributing to important projects within the Department of Defense.
领英推荐
Preparing Today's Youth for the Jobs of the Future | Jobs for the Future (JFF)
This resource provides policy recommendations for preparing youth, especially disconnected youth, for infrastructure, climate, and semiconductor careers. It emphasizes the importance of youth-centered policies, collaboration between education and workforce systems, and innovative approaches to skill development. The recommendations aim to leverage unprecedented investments in these sectors to create inclusive economic opportunities for young people.
Charts That Defined Education in 2024 | The 74
The 74 Million presents key education trends from 2024 through data visualizations. Major themes include ongoing impacts of pandemic learning loss, with math and reading scores still below pre-COVID levels for many students. The article highlights persistent concerns about chronic absenteeism remaining higher than pre-pandemic rates. It also notes shifts in higher education enrollment patterns, including declines in four-year college attendance and increases in community college and trade school enrollment.
DoD STEM Emerging Tech: Cyber Service Academy (CSA)
The Cyber Service Academy is a United States Department of Defense program aimed at developing the next generation of cyber professionals. It offers intensive training in cybersecurity, network operations, and digital warfare to prepare students for careers in military and civilian cyber roles. The program combines academic coursework with hands-on technical experience to equip participants with cutting-edge skills needed to defend against evolving cyber threats.
Advocacy & Funding Highlights
CHIPS for America Announces $285 Million Award for Semiconductor Manufacturing Institute | NIST
The Biden-Harris Administration is investing $285 million to establish SMART USA, a new Manufacturing USA institute focused on developing digital twins for semiconductor design and manufacturing. This institute, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, aims to enhance U.S. competitiveness in semiconductor technology through collaboration between industry, academia, and government partners across more than 30 states. SMART USA's goals include creating 1,000 new jobs, engaging 50,000 learners, and generating $1 billion in economic impact within five years, reinforcing America's commitment to technological leadership and innovation in the semiconductor industry. Read more here.
Project ACCESS: Accelerating Career Connections and Employment Success Strategies | Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Jobs for the Future (JFF) invites community and technical colleges to apply for $300,000 grants to expand programs connecting learners to paid work-based learning and quality jobs. The initiative aims to support 10 colleges, particularly those serving students facing systemic barriers, over a two-year period. Selected colleges will receive funding, technical assistance, and opportunities for national recognition while contributing to equitable workforce development.
Deadlines: January 17, 2025: College proposals due
NEA Big Read Grants | Air Midwest
Air Midwest, Inc. is accepting applications for its National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant program. This program awards grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to organizations aimed at bringing communities together through the shared activity of reading and discussing the same book. In addition to funding for purchasing the books, each grant recipient will receive resources to assist in their program's success.
Deadlines: Intent to Apply: January 23, 2025; Applications: January 30, 2025
Time for Change Youth Challenge | Changemakers
Changemakers is accepting applications for its Time for Change Youth Challenge 2024, which invites young people nationwide to share their innovative ideas and address issues that matter to them. The challenge is open to students in grades K-12 attending First Book-eligible schools (including Title I-eligible, Tribal, or Military Base schools). Final prizes include 15 grants of $1,000 and two Grand Prizes of $5,000, awarded in categories for K-5th, 6th-7th, and 8th-12th graders.
Deadline: January 30, 2025
Whether you're an educator inspiring young minds, a policymaker shaping the landscape of STEM education, or an industry partner bridging classroom learning with real-world applications, your role in our Ecosystems is vital. Together, we're not just adapting to the future—we're actively creating it. Stay connected at www.stemecosystems.org