Key Takeaways from the Federal Strategic Plan for Advancing STEM Education and Cultivating STEM Talent Report for the Informal STEM Learning World
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.
Key Takeaways from the Federal Strategic Plan for Advancing STEM Education and Cultivating STEM Talent Report for the Informal STEM Learning World
The Federal Strategic Plan for Advancing STEM Education and Cultivating STEM Talent, a report by the Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CoSTEM) of the National Science & Technology Council was recently released in November 2024. This interagency report conveys a commitment to advancing STEM education, engagement, and workforce development. This article will outline the key takeaways from the plan for those who work in informal STEM learning (ISE).
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ISE Takeaways
The plan makes a direct case for the need for and benefits of ISE, including the importance of lifelong learning and access to quality STEM learning opportunities.
The pillar of STEM Engagement, defined as engaging youth and families, communities, and the public, directly calls on ISE as a means to its ends.
The other pillars relate either to ISE indirectly or to creating a well-rounded STEM-literate population and workforce.
The plan calls for participatory, inclusive, and collaborative approaches to building and researching learning opportunities.
The plan details which agencies are - or will be - focusing on ISE (by way of the STEM Engagement pillar).
To read the full article, check it out in our Insights.
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 will present a two-part webinar and workshop, From Project to Research: Why, What, How, which will discuss the importance of research in understanding the impacts of informal STEM education programs and how to design and prioritize equitable research. Part one of the webinar will take place Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET.
January is National Mentoring Month! This page on the NOAA website captures the stories of eight different women working in the National Marine Sanctuary System. This is a great resource for young people who are interested in marine science and looking for encouragement, practical advice, and more information about what these careers look like.
The Field Museum in Chicago is celebrating the U.S. debut of the exhibit, “Cats: Predators to Pets” with their “That’s My Cat” photo contest! Each month through April, the Field Museum invites the public to submit photos of their cats around a theme and hosts a round of social-media polling to select a winner. Past themes include, “If I Fits, I Sits” and “Cats Wrapped.” As fellow cat lovers and museum enthusiasts, this one is right up our alley (cat).
Emily’s farm cat, Boo, doing a “blep”
Opportunities
Check out these new opportunities for the informal STEM learning community.
Funding:
2025 NOAA Pacific Northwest Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program, NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, up to $150,000. The 2025 NOAA Pacific Northwest Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program is currently accepting applications. The program supports locally relevant environmental education programs for students and teachers in grades K-12. These programs engage youth in meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEEs) that provide memorable hands-on, experiential learning and that positively impact coastal, marine, and watershed ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Applications are due March 7, 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.
First Solar Community Giving Fund - Civic Engagement and Environmental Impact Grants, Greater Toledo Community Foundation, $10,000-$15,000. Nonprofit organizations based in the U.S., India, Malaysia, and Vietnam are invited to apply for funding that supports projects and services focused on "green" and STEM education initiatives, access to clean energy and water in underserved areas, and further development of innovative and sustainable technologies. Awards typically range from $10,000-$15,000. Applications are due February 1, 2025.
Gulf Research Program, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, up to $750,000. Nonprofits, state, and local entities (excluding federal agencies) are invited to apply for grants of up to $750,000 for programs that increase the scientific and environmental literacy and problem-solving skills of children and youth (K-8) in the Gulf of Mexico region. Applications should be submitted by March 19, 2025.
Pathways Out of Poverty Program, The Herb Block Foundation, up to $25,000. Nonprofits serving the greater Washington, D.C. region are invited to apply for funding through the Pathways Out of Poverty program. Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded to support efforts to help young people and adults gain a quality education. The foundation seeks proposals that focus on improving student achievement and the healthy development of young people, including after-school activities and mentoring programs. Letters of inquiry are due February 5, 2025.
Jobs and Fellowships:
Natural Science Museum Internship, Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Natural Science Museum (Nantucket, MA), $15.00/hour. The Natural Science Museum Internship immerses college-age interns in all aspects of Natural Science Museum operations, including exhibit design, educational programming, collections preservation, animal collection, and more. The internship will run from May-August, 2025, and applications are due February 1, 2025.
Researcher, The Exploratorium (San Francisco, CA), $47.00/hour. The Researcher will perform in-house evaluation and research for exhibit development projects and museum programs. This includes the design, implementation, and coordination of activities related to research and evaluation projects.
Senior Evaluation & Research Associate, Science Museum of Minnesota (St. Paul, MN), $27.00/hour. The Senior Evaluation and Research Associate will plan and conduct evaluation and research studies, develop and conduct online surveys (e.g., Alchemer or Qualtrics), and conduct various studies centering equity-oriented theory and practice. Applications are due January 21, 2025.
Summer Informal Education Internship, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (Vail, CO), $500/week stipend plus housing. The Summer Informal Education Internship will take place May-September of 2025. Selected college-age applicants will participate in opportunities and work closely with educators, horticulturists, and other staff to develop knowledge, skills, and practical experience related to informal environmental education. Applications are due February 1, 2025.
Youth Education Program Manager, Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (Columbia, MO), $40,000. The Youth Education Manager will supervise a team to lead youth education programming, including operations, administration, and curriculum development. They will maintain existing and develop new community partnerships, schedule lessons and field trips, manage the program budget, and participate in program evaluations.
Professional Development:
2025 AAAS Annual Meeting, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), February 13-15, 2025 (Boston, MA). The 2025 American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) Annual Meeting will explore the theme of Science Shaping Tomorrow, with a focus on shaping science policy and celebrating projects and collaborations that bring together science, policy, and communication. Register by January 22, 2025, to receive a discounted rate.
2025 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, American Alliance of Museums, May 6-9, 2025 (Los Angeles, CA). Early bird registration is now open for the AAM Annual Meeting & MusemExpo. The event will bring together 5,000+ attendees from museums of all types and sizes to focus on the theme of Museums & Trust. Early bird pricing is available through January 31, 2025.
Broadening Research and Instructional Design for Greater Equity in STEM (BRIDGES) Conference, BRIDGES, January 31-February 1, 2025 (virtual). Join BRIDGES for a free virtual conference from January 31-February 1, 2025. The conference will encompass three main pillars: (1) promoting chemistry education practices centered around equity principles, (2) demonstrating how DEI principles can inform chemistry education research, and (3) breaking down academic silos to facilitate interdisciplinary knowledge sharing and skill-building. Sessions will take place via Zoom beginning January 31, 2025, at 10:30 AM ET.
Science for All Summit, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, February 20-21, 2025 (Chapel Hill, NC). The third annual Science for All Summit, hosted by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, will take place in Chapel Hill, NC February 20-21, 2025. The Summit provides an opportunity for educators, practitioners, researchers, thought leaders, and other change agents to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in STEM.
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