Gratitude for the Informal STEM Education Community
Welcome to Insights & Opportunities: A Hub for Informal STEM Education! Insights & Opportunities is a twice-monthly newsletter for educators, administrators, legislators, and advocates who recognize the importance of informal STEM learning.
This newsletter is brought to you by me, Sarah Dunifon, and my team at Improved Insights. I’m a long-time STEM educator, researcher, and equity advocate. Along with my team, I now work on cutting-edge informal STEM learning research and evaluation.
Each edition of this newsletter offers exciting insights, resources, and opportunities for informal STEM learning professionals, including funding, jobs, professional development, informal STEM learning research, evaluation tips and resources, and so much more! We hope you find it valuable. Now, let’s get started.
Like most across the U.S. last week, we took a pause to reflect on what we’re thankful for. At Improved Insights, we’ve had a tremendous year of opportunity and growth. We are so grateful to our clients and friends for their important work in advancing STEM equity and informal STEM learning. We are honored to have the chance to observe these efforts first-hand and work alongside our dedicated partners to craft a brighter future for all learners. We wish you all a safe and peaceful holiday season!
Are you missing our Insights this week? Check out all of our articles here!
60-Second Suggestions
Here are a few of my favorite things this month, usually pertaining to informal STEM education and evaluation, but occasionally some fun personal stuff, too.
The REVISE Center has recently opened free access to thousands of peer-reviewed articles and reference resources from a wide variety of education research journals through EBSCO. Check out their page for more information and to sign up for free EBSCO access.
The Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences invites museum and library professionals to submit abstracts for a Special Collection to Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal aimed at advancing the field of citizen science. The upcoming issue focuses on the worldwide pivotal roles that museums and libraries play in enhancing the well-being and progress of their communities. An increasing number of galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) are actively engaging the public in participatory science endeavors through diverse channels, such as field trips, citizen science kits, exhibit experiences, etc. Articles directly related to a wide variety of topics relevant to participatory science in GLAMs will be considered. The abstract submission deadline is February 28, 2025.
On the theme of gratitude, the American Alliance of Museums is seeking to recognize outstanding individuals, programs, and organizations dedicated to excellence in the museum field. They are seeking nominations for the following: Award for Distinguished Service to Museums; Nancy Hanks Memorial Awards for Rising Stars; and Recognition for Advancement of the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion in Museums. Learn more about the awards and submit your nominations for outstanding museum professionals, programs, and those doing good work within your own community!
Opportunities
Check out these new opportunities for the informal STEM learning community.
Funding:
2025 Summer Programs, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, up to $50,000. Summer programs serving the Hartford, CT area are invited to apply for funding. Programs should support Hartford youth and people with disabilities during the summer of 2025. Eligible programs include summer camperships, enrichment opportunities, tutorial experiences, or counselor-in-training programs. The application deadline is January 13, 2024.
Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL), National Science Foundation (NSF), up to $3.5 Million over 5 years. NSF's Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL) Program is seeking project submissions from informal STEM learning organizations. Grants will be awarded to five project types: (1) Synthesis; (2) Conference; (3) Partnership Development and Planning; (4) Integrating Research and Practice; and (5) Research in Support of Wide-reaching Public Engagement with STEM. The program seeks proposals that center engagement, broadening participation, and belonging. Up to $3.5 million in funding over five years is available in certain project categories. Submissions are due January 8, 2025.
AMS Young Scholars Program, American Mathematical Society (AMS), up to $15,000. Directors of US-based summer math programs for high school students are invited to apply for funding of up to $15,000. Funds will be utilized as scholarships for program participants (no less than 50%), and the remaining will support program expenses. Programs must have a proven track record and promote engagement with math in a way that builds curiosity and confidence. Applications are due by January 22, 2025.
Cleveland Foundation Grants Program, Cleveland Foundation, variable. Nonprofits are invited to apply for grants that enhance the lives of all residents in the greater Cleveland, OH area. Priority areas include education, neighborhoods, youth development, among others. Applications are due December 31, 2024. Note that organizations not yet registered in the grant portal should plan to complete registration at least two weeks in advance of the deadline.
Education Grants Program, PGE Foundation, $5,000-$25,000. Oregon-based nonprofits are invited to apply for education grants that provide young people of all backgrounds with real opportunities that will prepare them for jobs of the future. Funding proposals may include hands-on applied learning experiences for middle and high school students; curriculum or teaching methods; and collaborative models that support system-wide transformation of learning ecosystems. Applications are due January 10, 2024.
Jobs and Fellowships:
AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (Nationwide), $8,000 summer stipend. AAAS’ 10-week program places STEM graduate students and postdocs in newsrooms nationwide (e.g., National Public Radio, Los Angeles Times, WIRED, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, NOVA) to enhance their science communication skills and contribute to accurate media reporting. Fellows work with professional journalists to translate complex scientific concepts for general audiences, gaining valuable writing experience. Open to U.S. citizens and international students studying in the U.S. Application window closes January 1, 2025.
Environmental Education Fellowship, Dunes Learning Center (Chesterton, IN), $880/bi-weekly. Environmental Education Fellows are key members of the Dunes Learning Center team and are responsible for providing meaningful experiences for children and adults regarding the diversity of ecosystems and cultural history of the Indiana Dunes. Post-graduate fellows will lead educational and interpretive programs, inquiry-based science, and resource stewardship for students ages 6-17. The fellowship runs from June 2025 to May 2026.
Manager of Programs, Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) (Washington, DC or remote), $60,000. The Manager of Programs supports ASTC’s Impact & Inclusion initiatives, focusing on workforce diversity and scaling equity-focused approaches in science learning. Responsibilities include project management, leadership development, grant administration, and event coordination. Applications are due December 9, 2024.
Programs Coordinator, Shoals Marine Laboratory (Kittery, ME), $925/week. Shoals Marine Laboratory is a residential teaching facility on Appledore Island, Isles of Shoals, ME. The Programs Coordinator is a seasonal position from April-September, 2025. The Coordinator will deliver programs, coordinate logistics with instructors and group leaders, and facilitate the curricular needs of instructors and group leaders across departments. They will also organize and lead at-sea educational activities. Applications are due January 5, 2025.
Professional Development:
2025 IMLS Museum Grant Application Reviewer, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Office of Museum Services is seeking grant reviewers for the 2025 Institute of Museum and Library Services funding cycle. Selected reviewers will be eligible to receive an honorarium of either $300 or $500 for their service, depending on the type of review. On average, each reviewer will receive 7-12 applications, which will take an average of 1 hour each to review. Reviewer applications are due December 6, 2024.
Diversity in STEM Education Summit: Building a Coalition for Attracting and Retaining a Diverse STEM Teaching Workforce, The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), 2025 (Washington, D.C.). The SSEC invites leadership teams to submit applications for the 2025 Diversity in STEM Education Summit in Washington, D.C. The Summit will engage leaders in addressing problems of practice related to attracting and retaining a diverse STEM teaching workforce. The outcome of the Summit will be district-specific "action plans" for addressing this problem, with support from SSEC mentors, coaches, and advisors. Team applications are due December 13, 2024.
ISE Equity Visionaries, REVISE Center, January-June 2025 (virtual). The REVISE Center invites informal STEM education (ISE) professionals to apply for the ISE Equity Visionaries cohort. The program will be made up of a series of educational, networking, and supportive workshops and discussions designed to strengthen the capacity of prospective organizations to apply for federal funding opportunities through the National Science Foundation (NSF). Applications to the cohort are due December 19, 2024.
Leveraging Emerging Technologies for Equitable Content Creation Webinar, Media Education Lab (virtual). Paris Whalon, a librarian from UT Knoxville, will discuss and demonstrate how libraries can integrate new technologies like virtual reality, 3D printing, and podcasting equipment to foster equitable content creation. The webinar will focus on ensuring that technologies are accessible to all users and how they can be used to elevate underrepresented voices in media production. The webinar will occur on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at noon ET.
Thanks for tuning in to this edition of Insights and Opportunities. While you’re waiting for the next edition, tell your friends! We appreciate you sending along a blog post you enjoyed, a job opportunity you think a friend should apply for, and resources you found valuable. Sharing this newsletter is the best way to support this work. Until next time - thanks!
