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Early Phase Education, Innovation & Research (EIR) Grants Announcement
On July 28, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education released a notice inviting applications (NIA) for FY 2021 early-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.
Absolute Priorities
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Demonstrate a rationale
- Field initiated innovations - general
- Field initiated innovations – STEM/CS
- Field initiated innovations – SEL
Competitive Preference Priorities related to COVID-19 Impacts
- Expanded Computer Science (CS) opportunities for underserved populations (included under Absolute Priority 3).
- Innovative approaches to address impact of COVID-19 on underserved students most impacted by pandemic.
- Promoting equity and adequacy in students access to educational resources and opportunities.
Important Dates
- Pre-Application Webinar: Slides and Recording
- Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: August 17, 2021
- Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 27, 2021
For more information regarding the FY 2021 EIR Competition, please visit the program website. You may direct questions to the following EIR email: eir@ed.gov. We are also seeking peer reviewers for this competition. Additional information is available on the competition page.
Back to School Roadmap
The Department released the “Return to School Roadmap,” a resource to support students, schools, educators, and communities as they prepare to return to safe, healthy in-person learning this fall and emerge from the pandemic stronger than before. The Roadmap provides key resources and supports for students, parents, educators, and school communities to build excitement around returning to classrooms this school year and outlines how federal funding can support the safe and sustained return to in-person learning.
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Recently Archived
Advanced Manufacturing – July 28, 2021
Summertime STEM – May 4, 2021
Upcoming Topics
Environmental Literacy
Data Science
Transdisciplinary STEM & Convergence
Diversity Equity & Inclusion in STEM
For all archived STEM briefing presentations, visit: ed.gov/STEM.
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This is not an all-inclusive list.
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NASA's TechRise Student Challenge
NASA is initiating a new competition for the 2021/2022 school year, asking student teams to design, build, and launch experiments on suborbital rockets and balloon flights. The NASA TechRise Educator Summer Workshops dive into the basics of electronics, coding, and designing for flight. The NASA TechRise Student Challenge will start accepting entries August 18, 2021.
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Launch Back to School with NASA: Student and Educator Resources for the New School Year
As students across the country are saying goodbye to the summer and the new school year is kicking off, NASA is gearing up to engage students in exciting activities and thought-provoking challenges throughout the year ahead with its Launch Back to School with NASA. NASA has prepared a long list of mission-related resources and opportunities for students, educators, and families to utilize during the 2021-2022 school year. The agency offers many resources to inspire the next generation of explorers, and help educators and students stay involved in its missions.
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Back to School with the NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL)
The JPL Education team at the California Institute of Technology has created a packed Back to School resources center including: STEM Activities, Resources & Events; Student Challenges and STEM Stories & Opportunities.
Invention-Con 2021
Aspiring inventors or entrepreneurs of any age are invited to attend the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) free online Invention-Con 2021, August 18–20, 2021. The first day of this special event will focus on students and help them understand how to protect their creative work and use key USPTO resources. The August 18 agenda will feature Gitanjali Rao, Inventor and TIME magazine’s 2020 Kid of the Year, and other young innovators who will share their experiences and insights. Workshops and presentations will cover:
- The basics of patents, trademarks, and copyrights
- Best practices for turning an idea into an invention
- How students can create, write, and produce their own stories to document their work and to encourage others
- The world of branding as seen through the eyes of an artist, educator, and entrepreneur
- Tips from educators and students who have collaborated with student teams to receive U.S. patents
- Fun, free resources for students
The USPTO offers many other informative presentations, panels, and chats year-round. Find one that interests you on their events page.
Request for Information: STEM Education at 2-year Institutions & Community Colleges
The Department of Defense (DoD) recently released a Request for Information (RFI) that aims to inform STEM education at 2-year postsecondary institutions, including community colleges. The RFI has a dual focus: (1) Transitioning students from 2-year community college STEM programs to a STEM degree at a 4-year institution through a consortium-based approach; and, (2) Preparing an agile and diverse workforce through technical training and certificate programs, and supporting those programs through collaborative partnerships and consortia. All interested organizations are eligible to respond to the RFI. While not tied to funding, this RFI may inform future efforts and/or shape foci and priorities in National Defense Education Program. Questions regarding the RFI should be sent to osd.dodstem@mail.mil by August 23, 2021. Responses to the RFI should be sent to osd.dodstem@mail.mil by September 10, 2021.
National Science Board Awards
The National Science Board (NSB) presents two awards each year during a spring ceremony and dinner. The awards are the Vannevar Bush Award and NSB Public Service Award. The NSB is now accepting nominations for its 2022 honorary awards through September 13, 2021.
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USA Science & Engineering Festival X-STEM for All Access
X-STEM All Access, supported by the U.S. Space Force and others, is an entertaining, educational, and interactive online STEM experience for 6-12th graders. Through a series of daily livestream events, students will hear from an exclusive and diverse group of visionaries who aim to inspire kids about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Join moderator, Justin Shaifer (Mr. Fascinate), for a STEM adventure with new engaging speakers, brain breaks, and Q&A’s each day of the event, premieres September 21-24, 2021, or watch on-demand. |
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Statistics in Schools
Statistics in Schools (SIS) is a Census Bureau program that uses census statistics and resources to create activities and materials for students. Teachers and subject matter experts from across the country help develop and review each and every SIS activity to make sure it is valuable, engaging, relatable, and easy to use. These activities and materials boost students' statistical literacy, better prepare them for a data-driven world, and enhance their learning in many subjects. Explore this site for engaging resources and activities in social studies, math, English, geography, sociology and more. |
STEM Teacher Leadership Network
The STEM Teacher Leadership Network, funded by the National Science Foundation, is a professional learning community for teacher leaders, aspiring teacher leaders, as well as researchers and administrators interested in teacher leadership. This interactive site connects teacher leaders to further their work to improve schools, effect policy, and re-envision the future of STEM teaching and learning. Join the Active Member Network, view STEM teacher leader videos, participate in monthly interactive sessions, and connect with a specific interest group.
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New Federal STEM Websites
The federal government recently set up several useful STEM-related websites:
- The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program established the STEM4ALL website for federal internships, scholarships, and training opportunities.
- Launched by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), Q-12 Education is a consortium that will expand access to K-12 quantum learning tools and inspire the next generation of quantum leaders.
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Quantum.gov is the home of the National Quantum Initiative and ongoing activities to explore and promote Quantum Information Science.
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AI.gov is the home of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative and connection point to ongoing activities to advance U.S. leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Elementary & Secondary Education Report
The National Science Board (NSB) recently released the Elementary and Secondary STEM Education Report that shows the U.S. is trailing many of its global competitors in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. The report also includes preliminary data on the impact of COVID-19 on education.
The Call to Action for Science Education: Building Opportunity for the Future
Scientific thinking and understanding are essential for all people navigating the world, not just for scientists and other STEM professionals. The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s (NASEM) Board of Science Education will articulate priorities and make recommendations to state and national level policy makers on how they can elevate science education opportunities so that they are equitable and high quality. Register for the July 13, 2021, online report release event.
Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering
This new report provides statistical information about the participation of these three groups in science and engineering education and employment. Data and figures in this report are organized into the following topical areas: enrollment, field of degree, employment status, occupation, including academic careers, and disability status.
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Please send questions on which the Department can be helpful to COVID-19@ed.gov.
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