Texas EcosySTEM | Broadening Participation in STEM
Texas' statewide approach demonstrates how embedding STEM education into core curriculum creates widespread reach while building a sustainable pipeline of future-ready talent across America's second-largest state.
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
Science at Work: The People and Industries Powering America’s Prosperity | Science is US
This report highlights the critical role of STEM professionals in driving the U.S. economy, with 34% of the workforce engaged in STEM fields. It emphasizes the significant contributions of workers without bachelor’s degrees, showcasing the accessibility of STEM careers.
Governor Proclaims STEM Education Month | North Carolina Governor's Office
North Carolina's Governor has proclaimed April 2025 as STEM Education Month, recognizing how STEM drives the state's economy and provides skills essential for workforce development. The proclamation highlights North Carolina's commitment to removing traditional barriers in STEM fields and notes that many leading companies have established a presence in the state because of its commitment to preparing STEM-ready workers. Shout out to NC STEM Learning Network!
Expanding STEM Education Will Secure America’s Future | eCampus News
Expanding STEM education is vital for strengthening the U.S. tech talent pipeline, driving economic innovation, and maintaining global competitiveness. Building robust connections between education and employment ensures students are prepared for the evolving workforce.
Making It Work: Ten Stories of Promise and Progress in High School Work-Based Learning | American Student Assistance
This white paper highlights progress in high school work-based learning across 10 states, emphasizing innovative solutions to challenges like funding, transportation, and business partnerships. It provides actionable insights for expanding real-world learning opportunities to better prepare students for future careers.
O*NET OnLine | U.S. Department of Labor
O*NET OnLine offers detailed information on over 900 occupations, helping users explore career paths, skills, and education requirements. It supports STEM leaders in identifying emerging job trends, workforce needs, and essential technologies to shape future-ready talent.
2025 AIP Research Agenda | American Institute of Physics (AIP)
AIP’s inaugural annual research agenda outlines five key focus areas, including leadership transitions in scientific societies, quantum science breakthroughs, and federal physical science workforce trends. These initiatives aim to address critical challenges in education pipelines, workforce development, and historical documentation to strengthen the physical sciences community.
Breakthrough Prize Announces 2025 Laureates | Breakthrough Prize Foundation
The 2025 Breakthrough Prizes, known as the “Oscars of Science,” awarded $18.75 million to researchers for transformative discoveries in life sciences, physics, and mathematics. Highlights include advancements in gene-editing technologies, treatments for diabetes and multiple sclerosis, and groundbreaking work in particle physics and mathematical theory.
Ultrathin Conductor Developed for Nanoelectronics Could Be Better Than Copper | National Science Foundation (NSF)
Researchers at Stanford University have developed niobium phosphide, a material that conducts electricity better than copper in films just a few atoms thick. This breakthrough could enhance energy efficiency in nanoelectronics, especially in applications like data centers, by enabling faster and more efficient electrical signals in ultrathin wires.
ADVOCACY & FUNDING
Keep STEM Talent Act | U.S. Senate
This bipartisan legislation aims to retain international graduates with advanced STEM degrees by providing a streamlined path to permanent residency, addressing green card backlogs, and enhancing national security through rigorous vetting. By incentivizing highly skilled talent to remain in the U.S., the bill supports workforce growth in critical fields like AI and cybersecurity.
A Blueprint for Reimagining the Federal Role in Education R&D | Forbes
This article highlights the critical need for federal education research to address urgent national challenges like literacy and math achievement. It emphasizes modernizing data systems and leveraging innovative technologies to empower states and districts with actionable insights for improving student outcomes.
Crisis Philanthropy: Field-Building | Stanford Social Innovation Review
Philanthropy can maximize impact by funding field-building efforts that strengthen shared capacity and coordination across organizations. These investments enable scaled, collaborative action and improve the social sector’s ability to address complex challenges effectively.
NSF Slashes Graduate Fellowship Program | Science.org
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has halved the number of recipients for its prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program, awarding only 1,000 fellowships this year compared to 2,037 last year. This sharp reduction may signal broader funding challenges for early-career researchers, impacting the pipeline of future science and engineering talent. Read more
AWS Imagine Grant Program U.S.
A public grant opportunity open to registered nonprofit organizations who are using cloud technology to accelerate their missions.
Deadline to apply: Round one applications accepted: April 14 - June 2, 2025
STEM EVENTS
IEEE TryEngineering Educator Sessions: Summer 2025
IEEE TryEngineering, with funding from the onsemi Giving Now program, invites teachers and curriculum leaders to participate in Semiconductors: An Introduction, an IEEE TryEngineering Educator Session, a two-day event taking place at five universities across the US in the Summer of 2025. Check out these great semiconductor resources! Learn more about the summer sessions here.
Tools of the Trade: Non-Coding Approaches | DS4E
This webinar explores accessible tools that empower educators to integrate data science concepts into their curriculum without requiring programming skills. Date: April 16th, 2025 6pm ET Register Here