Alabama’s CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem Joins the STEM Ecosystems CoP
ECOSYSTEM SPOTLIGHT
We’re excited to announce that Alabama’s CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem is now part of the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice! CREATE unites schools, businesses, and community partners to provide students with hands-on, real-world STEM experiences across Alabama’s Workforce Region 2. Their innovative programs and commitment to preparing students for future careers make them a fantastic addition to our growing network.
Join us for Episode 2: Translating Policy into Action on April 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET We'll continue the conversation with practical advocacy strategies.
STEM NEWS
DoD STEM Opportunities Interactive Map
Build robots, solve real world problems, and work at the cutting edge of technology. DoD STEM has opportunities for students of all ages, educators, and professionals. Check out these STEM programs, internships, scholarships, and more!
“Universities Are the Invisible Hand” Interview with Marcia McNutt & Michael M. Crow | Issues in Science and Technology
McNutt and Crow emphasize that sustained investment in science and universities is essential for America’s economic and technological leadership, warning that ideological cuts and uncertainty threaten this foundation. They advocate for rethinking STEM education and research structures to be more efficient, inclusive, and aligned with modern interdisciplinary challenges, aiming to prepare a highly capable STEM workforce nationwide.
That’s a Wrap on 2025! Explore the National STEM Festival in the News | National STEM Festival
The National STEM Festival drew national attention as students tackled real-world problems from water quality to cancer research. The festival highlighted student innovation and the growing importance of STEM competitions in inspiring the next generation.
North Country Students Explore STEM Careers at STARBASE April 2025 | DVIDS/US Army
Students from North Country school districts engaged in hands-on STEM career demonstrations at Fort Drum’s STARBASE Academy, a Department of Defense program connecting classroom learning to real-world STEM and military careers. The initiative fosters partnerships between schools and the military, offering students direct interaction with experts and exposure to technologies like solar and radio frequency systems. Read more
STEM Sparks: Igniting Engineering Creativity in Young Minds | International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA)
NASA eClips™ and ITEEA released a Primary Engineering Design Packet for PK-2 learners, emphasizing hands-on, design-based learning. The resource supports collaborative, play-based exploration and introduces simplified engineering design processes to build early STEM skills and curiosity.
Teacher Residencies | Learning Policy Institute
Teacher residencies offer a research-backed strategy to improve teacher preparation quality and address persistent teacher shortages by providing yearlong, mentored clinical experiences and financial support for candidates. States and the federal government are increasingly investing in these programs, with over 440 residencies now operating nationwide, helping to boost teacher retention rates and fill high-need subject areas. Read more
Teaching STEM in the Secondary School | Prof. Frank Banks & Dr. David Barlex
A new book explores integrated STEM pedagogy in secondary schools, highlighting cross-disciplinary collaboration and curriculum design to enhance motivation and achievement. Download the entire book here
Brain-Inspired Computing Innovation Supported by Targeted Grant Funding | GrantWatch.com
GrantWatch highlights various STEM-related funding opportunities supporting research, career development, and commercialization, including grants to promote STEM careers for minority groups and computer science education from PreK to 12th grade. These grants fuel innovation in emerging fields like brain-inspired computing and support workforce diversification.
ADVOCACY & FUNDING
Transitioning from ESSER to Sustainable STEM Funding | SmartLab Learning
With the expiration of ESSER funds, schools are urged to diversify funding sources for STEM programs by seeking local, state, federal, and private grants, and building partnerships to ensure long-term program sustainability and workforce readiness. Read more
Bipartisan Legislation to Boost STEM Workforce Funding | APS News
Congress has introduced the American Innovation Act, which would authorize annual increases to federal basic science funding by 5% plus inflation at the Department of Energy and other agencies, aiming to strengthen the STEM workforce pipeline and U.S. innovation capacity.
AICPA Backs Bill That Would Add Accounting to STEM Program | Journal of Accountancy
A bipartisan bill proposes including accounting in K-12 STEM programs, with AICPA support. The move aims to broaden access, particularly for underrepresented students, and strengthen the talent pipeline by recognizing accounting as a technology-driven STEM discipline. Learn more
NSF Invests $40M in STEM Workforce | NSF
The NSF is investing $40 million across five states and territories to enhance research infrastructure and expand STEM workforce development through its EPSCoR program. These multi-year grants support collaborative partnerships, training, and retention of a highly skilled STEM workforce, particularly in historically underfunded regions
STEM EVENTS
Job Quality Solutions Lab | Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Participants will leave with insight into how to bring stakeholders with diverse perspectives together to design stronger approaches to common workforce development challenges.
Date: Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, 3:00-5:00 pm ET Register Here
Webinar: Science is Elemental | CEE
The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), Advisor to the Congressional STEM Education Caucus, will host an exciting webinar, “Science is Elemental.” Learn about exciting workshops that engage students with fun science activities. Guest speaker: Ann Miller, PhD, is the Executive Director at Science is Elemental, a science education nonprofit dedicated to improving science education, particularly for those students who do not yet show interest in the sciences.
Date: Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, 5:30 pm ET Register Here
Believe in Better: The Ted Lasso Guide to Communicating Change | ELB Learning
In this free, fast-paced webinar, we’re channeling our inner Ted Lasso to explore what it really takes to inspire behavior change and learning adoption, one clear, confident conversation at a time. Join us and learn how to reframe resistance, tailor your message to different communication styles, and build lasting momentum.
Date: May 13, 2025 10 AM PT/1 PM ET Register Here
National Rural STEM Learning Summit 2025
STEM learning in rural communities shares many characteristics across vast geographies, yet it is also distinctly unique to each place. The National Rural STEM Learning Summit brings together STEM educators, administrators, STEM industry professionals, and community leaders to strengthen and elevate the quality of STEM education in rural communities through practice and dialogue.
Date: August 26-29, 2025 | Register Here
Director, Northwest LaSTEM Innovation Center, Region 7; Founding Chair, North Louisiana STEAM Alliance
5moExciting news!