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Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Grants Open
The SEED grant program is now accepting applications for efforts that increase the pipeline of highly effective educators. The SEED program will award $65 million to support the implementation of evidence-based practices that prepare, develop, or enhance the skills of educators. Preexisting teacher shortages in critical areas such as STEM, special education, multilingual education, career and technical education, and early childhood education have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—directly impeding student access to educational opportunity. Research shows that existing educator shortages disproportionately impact students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and, often, rural communities. The Applications are due June 3, 2022.
Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Grants Open
On April 27, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) published in the Federal Register the notice inviting applications (NIA) for the EIR program’s Early-phase, Mid-phase, and Expansion competitions. Absolute Priority 3 supports the Secretary’s priority in “Promoting Equity in Student Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities” and is intended to support innovations to improve student achievement and attainment in STEM education to ensure our Nation’s economic competitiveness. There are numerous resources on the EIR competition webpage. Early phase applications are due July 21, 2022, and the others are due June 21, 2022.
Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Grants Open
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the ITEST grants. The goal of this app
lied research and development program is to advance the equitable and inclusive integration of technology in the learning and teaching of STEM from pre-kindergarten through high school. The program’s objective is to support all students’ acquisition of the foundational preparation in STEM disciplines. Proposed ITEST projects are expected to: 1) engage students in technology-rich learning; 2) prioritize the full inclusion of groups who have been underrepresented and/or underserved; 3) motivate students to pursue technology-rich careers; and 4) leverage strategic and community partnerships. Applications are due August 12, 2022.
Use ED Funds to Partner with AmeriCorps to Support Student Learning
AmeriCorps operates a variety of programs that bring people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges through national service, including in schools. In particular, AmeriCorps volunteers regularly support students in underserved districts in a manner that promotes equity and excellence, for example, by providing high-quality tutoring, mentoring, or coaching. This work of AmeriCorps members is particularly important for helping students recover from the impact of the pandemic and addressing their social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs. ED recently issued a letter clarifying that ED grantees and subgrantees may use Federal funds, including annually appropriated funds and COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, as matching funds for AmeriCorps programs. For more information on how to use Federal funds for this purpose, please review the Department’s April 1, 2022 letter.
In Case You Missed It: From Recovery to Thriving, American Rescue Plan Summit
ED hosted a virtual summit to help states, districts, and schools get ideas and strategies on how to best utilize Federal relief funds to support students and schools in the areas of learning recovery, mental health, and labor shortages. With many concurrent sessions, we wanted to be sure you have access to all the sessions. You can access the learning session recordings here under the Resources link along with the fact sheets.
Call for Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Peer Reviewers
ED’s EIR grant program is seeking both evaluation reviewers and content reviewers this summer and fall. We seek evaluation peer reviewers with evaluation and research experience who can review applicants’ proposed evaluation plans (typically randomized control trials and quasi-experimental designs). Knowledge of What Works Clearinghouse standards is required. We also need content peer reviewers who have direct and significant pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education experience in one or more of the following content areas:
- Rural education
- Social emotional learning
- Equity in advanced coursework
- STEM, including computer science
- Trauma-informed practice
- Equity in student-centered learning (e.g., universal design for learning)
- Expanded/accelerated learning
- Multi-tiered systems of support
- Equity in project-based learning
Compensation is $500 per application (approximately $4,000-$6,000 total) after successful completion of all required tasks. Visit the EIR program website for additional information about the grant program. To apply as a reviewer, send your resume (maximum of 5 pages) to EIRpeerreview@ed.gov.
2022 ED Green Ribbon Schools Announced
On Earth Day, April 22, in a video message from Secretary Miguel Cardona, blog, report, and press release, ED announced the names of the 2022 ED Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS), District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees. Across the country, 27 schools, five districts, and four postsecondary institutions have been recognized for their innovative efforts to address the three pillars of the program: 1) reducing environmental impact and utility costs; 2) improving health and wellness; and 3) ensuring effective sustainability education.
For those schools interested in applying for an ED-GRS award, check out the resources on Green Strides and review Frequently Asked Questions for all three award categories. Interested colleges and universities may contact their state higher education authorities, while schools and districts may contact state educational agencies (SEA). SEAs can find award implementation guidance on ED’s website and may email ed.green.ribbon.schools@ed.gov for more information.
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Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award Open for Nominations
The call for nominations is now open to honor two K-12 teachers for excellence in cybersecurity education. Now in its third year, the award is part of a coordinated Federal effort to develop and maintain a superior cybersecurity workforce. Teachers are critical for preparing students with the skills needed to fortify our nation’s security and to succeed in the ever-evolving cybersecurity environment. Learn more about the award as well as review the rules, terms, and conditions and details on how to apply here. Nominations are due July 31, 2022.
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STEM 4 All Video Showcase Includes 25 ED Grantees The 2022 STEM 4 All Video Showcase, funded in part by the National Science Foundation, includes 267 short videos that showcase Federally-funded projects aimed at improving STEM and Computer Science education. The videos highlight strategies to broaden participation, and increase access and equity, including 25 ED-funded projects. All videos from 2022 and earlier years will be added to the collection in the STEM for All Multiplex.
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Learning with NASA is Out of this World (archived video)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has a long history of inspiring American students to reach for the stars. By engaging students in real life design challenges, teachers provide learning opportunities that have lifelong impacts. NASA’s Artemis mission, which will send the first woman to the moon, is inspiring students, in partnership with LEGO Education, by offering free Build to Launch Curriculum to schools nationwide. Students will have a chance to learn from and interact with NASA’s top aeronautics leaders as Artemis prepares for its first launch in 2022. This exciting mission offers students meaningful, hands-on experiences that aim to inspire the STEM workforce of the future. Check out this webinar with ED and NASA to learn more about the Artemis mission and the collaboration with LEGO Education.
All STEM briefings and webinars are archived here.
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NEW National Institutes of Health STEM Hub
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences, together with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has launched an online clearinghouse of STEM resources. The website provides links to free, easy-to-access, NIH-funded educational content educators and parents can use to engage K-12 students in health science. Topics include the brain and mental health, scientific tools and methods, molecules, cells, and much more. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
NASA STEM Engagement & Educator Professional Development
Join the NASA STEM Engagement & Educator Professional Development Collaborative at Texas State University for educator professional development webinars. Attendees earn a certificate that can be submitted for professional development hours.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) National Summer Teacher Institute
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are pleased to host a virtual National Summer Teacher Institute on innovation, STEM, and intellectual property during the week of July 25-29, 2022. Participants are introduced to teacher-friendly materials designed to enhance student learning and inspire the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers. They will be exposed to experiential training tools, practices, and project-based learning models to support elementary, middle, and high school teachers and increase their knowledge of inventing and innovating. Apply now!
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STEM Innovations and Global Competence Course for K-12 Educators
The U.S. Department of State recently launched a new free, five-hour, self-paced massive open online course (MOOC) for U.S. educators – STEM Innovations and Global Competence. The course focuses the interconnectedness of our world and the rise of new technologies that demand students be prepared to work across borders. Educators can access lesson plans and videos applicable across content areas and grade levels. Educators who successfully complete the course will receive a U.S. Department of State Global STEM Educator badge and certificate noting five hours of independent professional learning. Certified continuing education units are available. The course is only available through September 2022. Enroll today.
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The Department issued a FAQ supplement on using the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds. The Department’s Education Stabilization Fund (ESF) Transparency Portal displays award and expenditure data by state for all four major ESF programs: ESSER, GEER, the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) Fund, and the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Program.
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