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Education Innovation and Research (EIR): Mid-Phase & Expansion-Phase Grants Now Available
The Department just released two notices inviting applications (NIAs) for Mid-Phase and Expansion-Phase EIR projects. The EIR program provides funding to create, develop, implement, replicate, or take to scale entrepreneurial, evidence-based, field-initiated innovations to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students; and rigorously evaluate such innovations. The EIR program is designed to generate and validate solutions to persistent education challenges and to support the expansion of those solutions to serve substantially larger numbers of students.
The FY 2021 Mid-Phase grant competition includes four absolute priorities, one competitive preference priority, and two invitational priorities:
- Absolute Priority 1--Moderate Evidence
- Absolute Priority 2--Field-Initiated Innovations—General
- Absolute Priority 3--Field-Initiated Innovations—Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM), which includes a Competitive Preference Priority that focuses on expanding opportunities in computer science for underserved populations
- Absolute Priority 4--Field-Initiated Innovations--Fostering Knowledge and Promoting the Development of Skills That Prepare Students to Be Informed, Thoughtful, and Productive Individuals and Citizens (social emotional learning or SEL)
- Invitational Priority 1--Innovative Approaches to Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Underserved Students and Educators
- Invitational Priority 2--Promoting Equity and Adequacy in Student Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities, including STEM courses and teacher certification.
The FY 2021 Expansion-Phase grant competition includes two absolute priorities and two invitational priorities. Absolute priorities require strong evidence and field-initiated innovations. Invitational Priority 1 seeks innovative approaches to addressing the impact of COVID-19 on underserved students and educators. Invitational Priority 2 seeks projects promoting equity and adequacy in access to educational resources and opportunities, such as those addressing the Department’s Civil Rights Data Collection STEM Course Taking Report, 2018.
Total estimated funding for the EIR Early Phase (to be published later), Mid-Phase, and Expansion-Phase grants is $180 million. For Mid-Phase projects, the Department intends to award an estimated $32 million in funds for STEM projects and $32 million in funds for SEL projects. Applications are due July 7, 2021.
GEAR UP Funding
The Department issued a notice inviting applications (NIA) for fiscal year 2021 (FY21) for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership Grants. GEAR UP is a discretionary grant designed to help eligible low-income students, including students with disabilities, in obtaining a secondary school diploma and prepare for postsecondary education. Activities must include postsecondary financial aid information, reduce remediation at the postsecondary level, and improve the number of students who obtain a secondary school diploma, complete applications, and enroll in postsecondary education. Activities may include mentoring; tutoring; dual or concurrent enrollment programs for students in STEM; academic and career counseling; financial and economic literacy education; and exposure to college campuses. Applications are due June 28, 2021.
HSI-STEM Funding Opportunity
The Department issued an NIA for new awards for FY21 for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) STEM and Articulation Program. This competition specifically acknowledges the importance of student-centered programs that will increase the number of Hispanic and low-income students who graduate with degrees in STEM fields, as well as the need to promote support systems to ensure that community college students will continue to pursue STEM degrees once enrolled at a four-year institution. There is one absolute priority (increase STEM degrees), two competitive preference priorities (offer work-based learning and enhanced retention strategies) and one invitational priority (wrap-around services for students impacted by COVID-19). Applications are due June 14, 2021.
NAEP Science 2019
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science assessment is designed to measure students’ knowledge and abilities in the areas of Earth and space science, physical science, and life science. The most recent science assessment was given in 2019 to approximately 30,400 grade 4 students, 31,400 grade 8 students, and 26,400 grade 12 students. In 2019, the average science score for the nation was lower by 2 points at grade 4 compared to 2015. There were no significant changes at grade 8 or 12 compared to 2015. Results for science 2019 are now available and are reported on a national level at all three grades.
New Report Compares State Performance Standards Using NAEP
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released Mapping State Proficiency Standards onto the NAEP Scales. Results From the 2019 NAEP Reading and Mathematics Assessments. This study compares standards for proficient performances set by states in reading and mathematics for grades 4 and 8 using states’ performances in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report card.
National Summer Learning & Enrichment Collaborative
The National Summer Learning & Enrichment Collaborative that serves as a professional learning community to help states use more than $1.2 billion of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to build evidence-based summer programs, including STEM-based programs. Register for upcoming sessions are slated forJune 10, 24, July 8, 22, and August 12 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm EDT.
21stCCLC Summer Symposium
The Department opened registration for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant Program 2021 Virtual Summer Symposium. This three-day event, held July 20-22, 2021, offers State education agencies (SEAs), their grantees, and other interested parties successful strategies in implementing and managing all components of the program, including STEM content. The Symposium’s sessions are a combination of large-group presentations with nationally recognized speakers and smaller interactive workshops where attendees have the chance to work closely with education experts.
Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief FAQs
The Department recently updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document about how funding under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, including the American Rescue Plan ESSER (ARP ESSER) program, and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund may be used in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students in pre-K–12 education. For instance, a Local Education Agency (LEA) might also address the needs of students arising from the COVID-19 pandemic by using ESSER and GEER funds to initiate clubs, such as a robotic or STEM club.
Condition of Education 2021
The Condition of Education 2021, published by NCES, contains indicators on the state of education in the United States, from prekindergarten through postsecondary education, including math and science high school course taking, as well as labor force outcomes and international comparisons. This year’s edition also includes two Spotlight indicators, which use experimental data from the Household Pulse Survey to examine preliminary educational impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly related to online learning at both the K-12 and postsecondary levels.
Copy, Paste, Transpose: Math Anxiety Is More Common than You Think
This new Institute of Education Sciences (IES) blog explores research findings from four IES-funded researchers to help students, teachers and parents overcoming math anxiety and avoid transference.
Register Today
Advanced Manufacturing: Jobs of the Future
June 18, 2021, 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET Register here.
Advanced manufacturing—which includes both new manufacturing methods and production of innovative products—is an engine of America’s economic power and a pillar of its national security. Yet, there is a shortage of Americans with the STEM knowledge and technical skills required in advanced manufacturing careers. Join us as we learn how to further develop advanced manufacturing workforce skills.
Recently Archived STEM Webinars
Summertime STEM, May 4, 2021 – Summertime learning can be a fun and rewarding experience for students and educators. Learn from our dedicated panel of researchers, funders, and practitioners as we discuss the benefits of Summertime STEM learning and discover evidenced-based resources and best practices that can be implemented in your community.
For all archived STEM briefing presentations, check out ed.gov/STEM.
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This is not an all-inclusive list.
NASA Informal STEM Funding Opportunity
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement invites proposals from museums, science centers, planetariums, NASA Visitor Centers, youth-serving organizations, libraries, and other eligible nonprofit institutions via the 2021 NASA Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Proposals for Community Anchor Awards ranging from $20K to $25K for 1-2 years are due June 17, 2021 and proposals for Standard Awards ranging from $500K to $800K for 2-4 years are due July 19, 2021.
Racial Equity in STEM Education
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) seeks to support bold, ground-breaking, and potentially transformative projects addressing systemic racism in STEM. Contexts may include, but are not limited to: preK-12, two- and four-year undergraduate, and graduate institutions; municipal organizations; STEM workplaces; and informal STEM contexts, such as museums, community organizations, and media. Full proposals are due July 13 and October 12, 2021 and March 22, 2022.
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
NSF issued a request for applications (RFA) to recruit, prepare and retain highly effective K-12 STEM teachers and teacher leaders in high -need school districts. There are five tracks that include stipends, scholarships, fellowships, research, and capacity building. Eligible entities include Institutions of Higher Education, including Community Colleges and non-profit organizations offering teacher preparation or residency programs. Full proposals are due August 31, 2021.
Department of Navy STEM Education & Workforce Program
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in proposals to cultivate a diverse, world-class STEM workforce to maintain the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ technological superiority. The funding opportunity announcement (FOA) explicitly encourages programs that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students of all ages and the naval related workforce. Applications are due October 8, 2021.
Science Advisor & OSTP Elevated to WH Cabinet
On May, 28,2021, the White House announced that the U.S. Senate voted, in a unanimous voice vote, to confirm world-renowned scientist Dr. Eric Lander to become the 11th Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) – and the first in U.S. history to serve in the President’s Cabinet. Dr. Lander will also serve as the President’s Science Advisor. In a letter to Dr. Lander, President Biden underscored the need to refresh and reinvigorate our national scientific and technological strategy, including the transformation of STEM education by empowering teachers and deploying technology to enhance the educational experience.
Maintaining our Commitment to Military Students: Ensuring Access to High Quality Advanced STEM Programs
This free webinar, featuring Louie Lopez, the U.S. Department of Defense Director of STEM; Dr. Jarrod Wheeler, superintendent of the military-impacted Knob Noster Public Schools in Missouri; and Demetreia Adderley, a former military-dependent student who is now a Georgia teacher and a doctoral candidate, is being hosted by the National Math and Science Initiative. In addition to addressing needs and opportunities to support military-impacted students, Lopez will share opportunities for STEM learning and careers in the Department of Defense. You can register for this June 17, 2021 event here.
NASA TechRise Student Challenge
In August 2021, the NASA TechRise Student Challenge will invite teams of sixth- to 12th-grade students to submit ideas for climate or remote sensing experiments to fly on a high-altitude balloon, and space exploration experiments to fly aboard a suborbital rocket. Teachers are invited to join a NASA TechRise Educator Summer Workshop, which will dive into the basics of electronics, coding, and designing for flight. Teacher Workshops will be held July 28, 2021 and repeated August 11, 2021. For challenge details and to pre-register for the competition, please visit the contest website. View YouTube announcement.
Artemis Moon Pod Essay Winners
NASA has selected three students as the winners of the Artemis Moon Pod Essay Contest for their creative visions of a pioneering journey to the Moon. The winners will have the opportunity to travel with their families to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to see the first launch of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft during the uncrewed Artemis I mission.
NASA Classroom Resources
Search hundreds of STEM education resources can be searched by subject, grade level, type, and keyword here. NASA Wavelength is a digital collection of Earth and space science resources for educators of all levels — from elementary to college, to out-of-school programs. Explore NASA Science is also available in Spanish. Don’t’ forget to sign up for the NASA EXPRESS newsletter. |
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Decoding Science
The National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) recently launched Decoding Science, an interactive website featuring topics such as the Scientific Process, Building Scientific Knowledge, the Role of Repetition and Consensus, and Using Science. The site’s content is based on Reproducibility and Replicability in Science, a NASEM consensus report, funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the National Science Foundation (NSF) and vetted by experts in the practice, interpretation, and application of science.
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Please send questions on which the Department can be helpful to COVID-19@ed.gov.
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