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Department of Education Joins National Space Council
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona joined Vice President Kamala Harris at the Administration’s Inaugural National Space Council meeting on December 1, 2021. Each of the participating agencies were given the opportunity to discuss how they can play a role in securing America’s prominence in space. Secretary Cardona spoke on the STEM Education panel; his remarks begin at 1:21:00 in this YouTube recording. He highlights the important role of education in building a 21st century economy and ED’s relationship with NASA and the 21st Century Community Learning Center program and the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program as examples of efforts to expand access to STEM learning experiences.
Presidential Cybersecurity Education Awardees
Secretary Cardona announced that Kristina L. Rice, of Spotsylvania High School in Spotsylvania, Virginia and Sergio de Alba, of Miano Elementary School in Los Banos, California, were selected for the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award for instilling in their students the skills, knowledge, and passion for cybersecurity. Ms. Rice and Mr. de Alba were recognized during the NICE K12 National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Conference. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten opened the conversation by congratulating the winners, highlighting their accomplishments, and commending them for their commitment to preparing the next generation of cyber champions.
Computer Science Education Week
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the computer and information technology field is expected to grow by 13 percent from 2016-2026 — faster than the average growth rate of all occupations. Consequently, across the globe, educators and students are being introduced to computer science (CS) by engaging in coding and other activities designed to increase access to students that are underrepresented in the CS workforce. Numerous organizations offer resources to help you celebrate and participate. We join the educators, employers, and organizations in highlighting the importance to prepare every student the CS skills that are central to success in the 21st century workforce.
Community Math Night Facilitators’ Toolkit
The Appalachia Regional Education Laboratory (REL) developed this toolkit to help K–5 elementary school educators plan and implement the Community Math Night program to engage families in interactive math activities, build positive math attitudes, and create a community of educators, students, families, and other caring adults to support math learning. The toolkit includes planning and organizational resources, relevant research, and step-by-step instructions and printable materials for the interactive activities.
The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) build the capacity of educators to use data and research to improve student outcomes. Each REL responds to needs identified in its region and makes learning opportunities and other resources available to educators throughout the United States. The REL program is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the U.S. Department of Education. To receive regular updates on REL work, including events and reports, follow IES on Facebook and Twitter.
School Ambassador Fellowship Opportunity
STEM educators are encouraged to apply for the Department’s School Ambassador Fellowship (SAF). The SAF is designed to leveraging the expertise of school-based practitioners in the creation, dissemination, and evaluation of national education policy. The SAF has two options; a full-time appointment and a part-time fellowship. For more information and to apply, visit the School Ambassador Fellowship Website. Application are due January 14, 2022.
Education Technology Research and Development Grant Opportunity
The Department’s Education Sciences’ Small Business Innovation Research Program (ED/IES SBIR) provides non-dilutive seed funding to for-profit small businesses to develop and evaluate new education technology products to improve education and special education. The submission date for proposals under both solicitations is February 1, 2022.
The Phase I solicitation seeks proposals for $250,000 for 8-month awards for the research and development (R&D) and evaluation of new prototypes of education and special education technology products. Up to 14 awards are anticipated to be made through this solicitation.
The Direct to Phase II solicitation seeks proposals for $1,000,000 for 2-years for R&D and evaluation of new education technology products to prepare existing researcher-developed evidence-based innovations (products, interventions, practices) for use at scale and commercialization. Up to 3 awards are anticipated to be made through this solicitation. Direct to Phase II projects can be awarded without a prior Phase I award.
Environmental Literacy – TODAY, December 9, 2022, 3:30 – 5:00 PM ET
Join the U.S. Department of Education and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to explore how Federal, state, and local partners are engaged in environmental literacy programming and to learn about resources that can support programming in your area. Register here.
Recent Archives
November 30, 2021 – Energizing STEM
October 15, 2021 – Data Literacy
All STEM briefings and webinars are archived here.
AmeriCorps Tool Kit
The Superintendent’s/Principal’s Toolkit, designed to help schools leverage national service, is now available. AmeriCorps members and volunteers support students in nearly 12,000 public, private, and charter schools across the country to improve attendance and engagement, increase high-school graduation rates and expand college enrollment. Learn more how AmeriCorps can help your schools and organizations on the “What We Do” page. The updated toolkit aligns with ED’s Reopening Roadmap.
STEM at the National Museum for African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)
Join NMAAHC on December 13, 2021, from 4:30 -5:30 p.m. ET to learn more about NMAAHC’s STEM Education programs for the 2021-2022 school year. During the 60-minute virtual session, attendees will learn about NMAAHC’s STEM Teacher Fellowship, upcoming STEM teacher workshops, and student programs happening during the school year. Engage with NMAAHC’s STEM educator and discover new resources for enhancing learning in your classroom. This event will be recorded and shared for those unable to attend virtually. Questions can be sent to NMAAHC-STEM@si.edu. Teachers can register here.
NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project Call for Proposals
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement is seeking proposals from eligible U.S. minority-serving institutions to develop STEM ecosystems through the creation of co-designed STEM engagement activities that focus on building connections between indigenous communities and NASA. Tribal Colleges and Universities, Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions, and Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions are encouraged to apply. Awards will be made up to a maximum of $250,000/year for three years. Proposals are due February 15, 2022.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Decathlon
Over its lifetime, the Solar Decathlon has challenged more than 25,000 students to create high-performance, efficient, and affordable buildings powered by renewables while promoting student innovation, STEM education, and workforce development opportunities in the buildings industry. Now, it’s the 20th anniversary of the Solar Decathlon, and 133 teams from 107 collegiate institutions are off to the races as competition begins for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® 2022 Design Challenge and 2023 Build Challenge teams in 20 countries and 29 U.S. states.
Energy Internships
Want to tackle climate change? The DOE Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program is a 10-week summer research program for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM majors. Be a part of the solution by contributing to our mission of minimizing the environmental impacts of fossil fuels while working towards net-zero emissions. Travel and housing assistance are provided to eligible participants. Apply by January 10, 2022.
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program encourages undergraduate students and recent graduates to pursue STEM careers by providing paid summer research experiences at one of 17 participating DOE laboratories/facilities. They perform research, under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers, on projects supporting the DOE mission. Apply by January 12, 2022.
For Community College students, the DOE has a great internship program geared just for you. These paid internships in the DOE Office of Science’s Community College Internships Program will set you up for a Summer 2022 term at DOE’s national lab. Apply by January 12, 2022.
DOE Science Bowl
Registration has now opened for the 32nd National Science Bowl (NSB), hosted by the DOE Office of Science. Teams of four to five students (middle and high school) and a teacher who serves as a coach must register for regional competitions. The deadline to register for any event is no later than 3 weeks prior to the event. For example, if your regional is on Saturday, January 30, no registrations will be accepted after Saturday, January 9
The winning team from each qualifying regional competition will be eligible to compete in the National Finals held in Washington, D.C., from April 28 to May 2, 2022, with all expenses paid. The national event consists of several days of science activities and sightseeing, along with the competitions.
Need coaching tips from veteran coaches and NSB alumni? Click here for more information and to register to attend one of the NSB Coach Clinics.
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Lunabotics Junior Student Contest
NASA and Future Engineers, an IES grantee, are challenging young innovators to help design a new robot concept for an excavation mission on the Moon. The Lunabotics Junior Contest is open to K-12 students in U.S. public and private schools, as well as homeschoolers. Entry deadline is January 25, 2021.
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FAA Airport Design Student Challenge
The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) STEM Aviation and Space Education (AVSED) Program announces the Airport Design Challenge – a seven-week interactive, learning and collaboration opportunity during which students design virtual airports in Minecraft. K-12 students are encouraged to form teams and will receive guidance from FAA aerospace and engineering experts and learn about the aerospace industry. The challenge began on November 15, 2021, and concludes on January 14, 2022. Register today for the FAA Airport Design Challenge.
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EPA Environmental Justice Video Student Challenge
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Environmental Justice Video Challenge for Students. The challenge asks student teams from colleges and universities to submit a video that demonstrates innovative approaches to identify and characterize an EJ issue(s) in a community using data and publicly available tools. Participants will have the chance to win cash prizes and other benefits. The challenge is open now through April 1, 2022. Informational Webinar: December 6, 2021, at 12 p.m. ET – Register here!
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