Educational Series Program (STEM Talino)

 

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, including Computer Science & Arts

Background

In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it’s more important than ever that our nation’s youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. These are the kinds of skills that students develop in science, technology, engineering and math—disciplines collectively known as STEM. If we want a nation where our future leaders, neighbors, and workers have the ability to understand and solve some of the complex challenges of today and tomorrow, and to meet the demands of the dynamic and evolving workforce, building students’ skills, content knowledge, and fluency in STEM fields is essential. We must also make sure that, no matter where children live, they have access to quality learning environments. A child’s zip code should not determine their STEM fluency. This is one of the signature project of FACC GSD, to give back to our local community of San Diego.

Charting a Course for Success: America’s Strategy for STEM Education

This Plan was published in December 2018 and sets out a Federal strategy for the next five years based on a vision for a future where all Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education and the United States will be the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and employment. It represents an urgent call to action for a nationwide collaboration with learners, families, educators, communities, and employers—a “North Star” for the STEM community as it collectively charts a course for the Nation’s success. Read more about this strategy and what the U.S. Department of Education (Department) plans to do to support by going here.

In October 2019, the Office of Science and Technology Policy at The White House issued the Progress Report on The Federal Implementation of The STEM Education Strategic Plan. This Progress Report provides an update on how federal agencies are implementing the STEM Strategic Plan and what activities they are doing. Organizations from across the country are aligning their STEM efforts with the Strategic “North Star” plan, as well. This Progress Report reflects the shared value of STEM education and training of our Nation, and also demonstrates the power of coordination in achieving important national goals. To read more, go here.

Department Offices that Support STEM

Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development (OPEPD)
Office of Career, Adult, and Technical Education (OCTAE)
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE)
Office of Educational Technology (OET)
Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA)
Institute of Educational Sciences (IES)
White House Initiatives
Federal Student Aid (FSA)

Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) Education, With a Particular Focus on Computer Science

STEM is a centerpiece of Secretary DeVos’ comprehensive education agenda. The STEM priority may be used across the Departments’ discretionary grant programs to further the Department’s mission, which is “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.” Read more here.

U.S. Department of Education Advances Trump Administration’s STEM Investment Priorities

In November 2019, the Department announced that it invested nearly $540 million to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, including computer science, through discretionary and research grants in Fiscal Year 2019, in accordance with President Trump’s directive to foster expanded opportunities in these in-demand career fields. Of that total, there was almost $100 million in funds to support projects with a focus on Computer Science. Read more by going here.

To learn about how the Department supported STEM in Fiscal Year 2018, click here.

Funding Opportunities

A snap-shot of Department programs that support STEM follows:
Migrant Education Program (MEP) Consortium Incentive Grant (CIG) Program – applications due 4/27/20 (contains a STEM competitive preference priority)
Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) Program
Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)-Grants to State Entities
Alaska Native Education Equity Program
Braille Training Program (Rehabilitation Services Demonstrations and Training)
College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)
Comprehensive Centers Program
Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (State Grants) (GEAR-UP)
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Research Grants
Education Research Grants Program
National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) Program
Special Education Research Grants Program
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program
Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP)
Perkins Innovation & Modernization Grant Program
Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Program
Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) Program
TRIO Program

More information about open discretionary grant opportunities can be found here or reach out to the Department’s STEM contact below. For examples of current STEM grantees, go here and here. For information about how to become a peer reviewer, please contact the program directly you are interested in reviewing for.

Call for Peer Reviewers

The Department is seeking peer reviewers for our Fiscal Year 2020 competitive/discretionary grant season, including in the STEM/CS areas (among others).  You can read our Federal Register notice which spotlights the specific needs of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). To learn how to be considered as a reviewer, go here.

Nominations Open for Inaugural Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award

Secretary Betsy DeVos announced on October 7, 2019 the call for nominations for the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award. This award was established on May 2, 2019, by the President’s Executive Order on America’s Cybersecurity Workforce. The U.S. Department of Education created the award in consultation with the Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism at the National Security Council and the National Science Foundation. The nomination period opened during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October 2019 and closed on January 31, 2020. Nominations will be reviewed by Department staff and awardees will be recognized during Teacher Appreciation Week in May 2020. For the rules, terms and conditions and specifics on how to apply, please visit here. Information on the Executive Order is available here.

The Department will announce the 2019 – 2020 call for nominations in the coming months.

Resources

ESEA, IDEA, and Perkins Resources (PDF), 335K
College Scorecard
Exploring Career Options – FSA
Work-Based Learning
Stackable Credentials that lead to careers
IES data and statistics, research and evaluation, and tools for educators
Out of School
STEM Data Story — A Leak in the STEM Pipeline: Taking Algebra Early
CTE Data Story — Bridging the Skills Gap: Career and Technical Education in High School
Civil Rights Data Collection
Federal Partnerships
STEM Education Advisory Panel
STEM Spotlights
K-12 Practitioners’ Circle
STEMIE
CTE Research Center

Communications

In February 2020, the Department recently created the U.S. Department of Education STEM Newsletter. Please go to our newsletter subscription page to opt-in to this great resource.

Homeroom Blog
Press Releases
Twitter
Newsletter Subscriptions
Early Learning: STEM – Math Video

STEM Education Briefings

The STEM Education Briefings are live-streamed and archived for your convenience. To attend future briefings, please RSVP to Patti.Curtis@ed.gov.

2019 (archived links)

July 31 – What Do We Know about Computer Science Education?
Sept 12 – The Grand Challenges in STEM Education: Recruiting and Retaining 100K STEM Teachers in 10 Years
Oct 17 – Early Engineering Education and State Efforts
Nov 14 – The STEM Opportunity Index
Dec 5 – Family Engagement in STEM

2020

Jan 22 – STEAM: Arts Supporting STEM
Feb 4  – STEM After School
Mar 26, 2pm – Early Math
April 28, 10am – STEM Competitions
May 26, 2 PM – Cyber Education
June 24, 2PM – STEM Teacher Prep

Other Federal Agency STEM websites

• NASA
• Smithsonian
• NSF
• National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Department of Energy (DOE)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Department Contact

Department: STEM Lead and Policy Advisor, Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development — Jean Morrow at Jean.Morrow@ed.gov

R STEM education in the U.S. is increasing in popularity—more schools are implementing STEM learning into their curriculum and making it an integral part of what they teach. In this article, we will discuss the 7 benefits of STEM education

7 BENEFITS OF STEM EDUCATION

Fosters ingenuity and creativity:

Ingenuity and creativity can pair with STEM and lead to new ideas and innovations. Without ingenuity and creativity, the recent developments in artificial intelligence or digital learning would not be possible. These technologies were created by people who learned that if the human mind can conceive it, the human mind can achieve it. No doubt they had a great K-12 STEM education teacher.

Builds resilience:

During STEM education activities, students learn in a safe environment that allows them to fall and try again. STEM education stresses the value of failure as a learning exercise, which will enable students to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. This allows students to build confidence and resilience, which will enable them to keep going when the going gets rough. After all, failure is part of a process that ultimately leads to success.

Encourages experimentation:

Without a little risk-taking, and experimentation, many of the technological advancements that have occurred in the last couple of decades would not be possible. Many of these innovations were created by people who were told that their ideas wouldn’t work and their response was, “Let’s try it and see.” This type of attitude can be encouraged with STEM learning during the K-12 years. How can you accomplish this? By allowing students to experiment and take risks during learning activities.

Encourages teamwork:

STEM education can be taught to students of all ability levels. Students of varying levels of ability can work together in teams to find solutions to problems, record data, write reports, give presentations, etc. The end result is students who understand how to collaborate with others and thrive in a team-oriented environment.

Encourages knowledge application:

In STEM education, students are taught skills that they can use in the real world. This motivates students to learn, as they know that the skills that they acquire can be utilized immediately, and in ways that positively impact them and their loved ones. The ability to apply their knowledge to new and novel tasks will bode well for them when they enter the workforce.

Encourages tech use:

STEM learning teaches kids about the power of technology and innovation. So, when students encounter new technologies, they will be prepared to embrace them, instead of being hesitant or fearful. This will give them the upper hand in the global landscape, as the world is becoming increasingly tech-centered.

Teaches problem-solving:

STEM education teaches students how to solve problems by using their critical thinking skills. By engaging in STEM learn experiences, students learn how to examine problems and then create a plan to solve them.Encourages adaption:To succeed in life, students have to be able to apply what they have learned to a variety of scenarios. STEM education teaches them to adapt the concepts that they learn to various iterations of a problem or issue.