CTE/STEM to Share Pathways and Youth Opportunity at the 7th Annual Delaware Pathways Virtual Conference
Dec 7 - 8, 2021
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The path to achieve the American Dream has changed. At the height of the pandemic, one in eight Delawareans were not working. Today, we face labor market projections which state that by 2026, 49% of Delaware’s workforce (245,513 jobs) will be replaced, which includes new entrants into the workforce (28,670 new jobs) and those exiting due to retirement and transition (216,843 jobs). The challenges we face aren’t just the result of a temporary economic downturn, but of a changing world, an economy forever altered by global competition and new technology.
Today we are confronting the incongruous reality that Delaware employers are hiring, but they can’t find enough qualified applicants. We are frustrated because we know that Delawareans can do the work, but might not have the right skills. We can change this trend by better connecting our educators and employers. It is our responsibility to provide Delawareans with a bridge to the life they want —workforce training for people who want to upgrade their skills, education systems for our youth that align with the knowledge they need in the new economy, and a more responsive government that supports their drive to succeed.
That is why we are investing in new opportunities for our youth and adults to partner with employers through Delaware Pathways. The path to middle-class security is not what it was 30 years ago and our approach to career preparation can’t be either. Let’s ensure that all youth and adult learners, particularly those who have been marginalized, are on a path to fulfill their educational goals and career aspirations.
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Take the First Step in Career Pathways |
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The conference agenda includes sessions designed for educators, school administrators, school counselors, employers, higher education, and community-based organizations.
• New instructional supports and digital learning tools for Delaware STEM and CTE teachers in partnership with Discovery Education.
• New scholarship information and focus on SEED+, Inspire, Elevate DE, and FAST.
• Innovative partnerships models that center community, school, and employers.
• Expansion of earn-and-learn models like work-based learning as well as youth and registered apprenticeship.
• Innovative practices in middle grades and how to connect in-school and out-of-school learning.
Cost to attend is $20 for both days.
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To learn more about Delaware Pathways program, details and options: |
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The Seventh Delaware STEM Educator Awards:
Recognizing Exceptional Educators State-wide
STEM educators, advocates, and leaders gathered together on November 4, 2021, to recognize the most innovative and dedicated STEM educators working in The First State today through the Seventh Delaware STEM Educator Awards. The Delaware STEM Council and the Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME) hosted the ceremony in a hybrid format from Buena Vista Country Estate in New Castle. The special evening was made possible thanks to the event’s signature sponsor, Ashland, as well as sponsors Labware, DuPont and Agilent.
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“This recognition of Delaware’s star STEM educators is a celebration which is near and dear to my heart. Each year, the entries have become increasingly impressive, and winner selection has become more and more challenging. I have been fascinated by Delaware educators’ ingenuity, and the variety of creative initiatives they have submitted for recognition.”
– Dr. Susan Bunting, Delaware Secretary of Education
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All first place award winners in each category receive an unrestricted cash prize of $6,000, as well as free access to all parks in the Delaware State Park system.
1st Place Middle School Certified STEM Educator Award Winner
GAIL MORRIS | Gauger-Cobbs Middle School
Morris is a Computer Science and Business Education Teacher at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School and the 2019-2020 Gauger-Cobbs Middle School Teacher of the Year.
1st Place High School Certified STEM Educator Award Winners (Tie)
MELISSA BLAIR TRACEY | Odyssey Charter School
Tracey is a Social Studies Teacher and Model UN and Youth in Government Adviser.
DANIEL RICE & PETER BURNHAM | Delmar Senior High School
Rice is a Science teacher and Burnham is a Manufacturing and Engineering Technology teacher.
1st Place Community Educator Award Winner
JACKIE MEANS
Means is the founder of the Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative and a medical diagnostics major at University of Delaware. She is awarded for her initiative to educate elementary school students about 3D printing technology.
Armbrecht Award Winner
TONYEA MEAD | Delaware Department of Education
Mead is a Science Education Associate at Delaware Department of Education.
Jon Manon STEAM Team Award Winner | Middletown High School
GENE BEITMAN, MATTHEW JUCK, DAVID WESSELL, ATILANO RODRIGUEZ
A group of Math and Science educators from Appoquinimink High School.
As the Council and DFSME look forward to the Eighth Delaware STEM Educator Awards ceremony slated for fall of 2022, the evening’s ceremony concluded with a reminder to all Delaware educators that the application for the 2022 running is now available online.
To learn more and access the 2022 application, click here.
To read the full article by Jan Castro, click here.
Heartfelt Thanks to the 2021 Delaware STEM Educator Awards
Event Sponsors & Partners!
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Tonyea Mead Honored with Armbrecht Award |
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Tonyea Mead, Education Associate, Science, Delaware Department of Education, has been honored with the 2021 Armbrecht Award for Outstanding STEM Advocacy. The DFSME award was presented to Mead during the 7th Delaware STEM Educator Awards on November 4, 2021 by Genara Andrade, New Business Development Manager, DuPont, and board member of DFSME.
Mead is honored for her dedication to high-quality STEM education for all Delaware students. She has been invited to present at conferences world-wide, has led dozens of STEM programs both for teachers and students, and is a major catalyst between the Department of Education, the Science Coalition and business and our broader communities.
The Armbrecht Award is given in memory of Ross Armbrecht, Ph.D., DuPont research chemist and former DFSME Executive Director. The award acknowledges a Delawarean educator who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and collaboration between businesses, educators and community leaders to improve math and science education for all students in Delaware.
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Gov. Carney Names Former Brandywine Superintendent to Lead the Education Department
By Krys’tal Griffin, reprinted from Delaware News Journal Oct 12, 2021
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Mark Holodick pictured here as superintendent of the Brandywine School District in 2018. He is also a past Board Member of DFSME. Photo courtesy of the Brandywine School District.
A longtime Delaware educator and a former superintendent of the Brandywine School District has been tapped as the next secretary of education.
Gov. John Carney on Tuesday nominated Mark Holodick to replace Susan Bunting to lead the department overseeing Delaware schools.
Bunting is leaving the department in December after four years in the role, Carney announced last week. Final approval of Carney’s nomination will come from the Delaware Senate.
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Holodick served as superintendent of the Brandywine School District from 2009 to 2020 and oversaw 16 schools with over 10,000 students. He left to take a job at the University of Delaware.
Holodick previously worked as the principal of Concord High School and at a blended middle and high school in the Delmar School District.
In 2016, Holodick was named Administrator of the year by the Delaware Association of Educational Office Professionals, and in 2017 he was named Superintendent of the Year by the Delaware Chief School Officers Association.
Last year, Holodick joined the Delaware Academy for School Leadership at UD where he leads professional development and coaching programs for principals and other school and district leaders.
"I appreciate being given the opportunity to work collaboratively with educators and stakeholders across Delaware with a focus on improving opportunities and outcomes for all students,” Holodick said. “If confirmed by the Senate, I will assume the position of Secretary with much gratitude and enthusiasm.”
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Outgoing Secretary of Education, Dr. Susan Bunting, receives accolades from Dan Suchenski, Delaware STEM Council executive director after her keynote address during the Delaware STEM Educator Awards held on November 4, 2021.
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“Susan has spent a lifetime dedicated to public education in Delaware,
and the people of our state have been lucky to have her at the helm.
No one has made a bigger impact than Susan on preparing the next generation
of Delaware educators and helping them grow into effective teacher-leaders."
– Governor John Carney
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Million Women Mentors Honors Jennifer Kmiec
with the 2021 Trailblazer Award
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At this year’s Million Women Mentors Summit in October, the MWM “State of the State Award” was presented to the current active, volunteer State Leaders for their exceptional commitment to advancing opportunities for girls and women in STEM across their respective states. During this award presentation, MWM Delaware leader – Jennifer Kmiec – was recognized with the MWM Trailblazer Award.
MWM is an initiative of STEMconnector to spark interest and confidence in women and girls to pursue STEM careers and leadership opportunities through the power of mentoring. The mission of the MWM network is to encourage girls and women to pursue, persist, and thrive in STEM careers.
Congratulations Jennifer!
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YES! is a statewide confab for all Delaware high school students interested in protecting our Earth, from home schoolers, to all public, parochial and independent schools in Delaware. The inaugural YES! was held in 2020 in Dover. Planning is now underway for the third annual February 25, 2022 event.
YES! is a wide collaborative partnership of Delaware nonprofit organizations, educators, agencies, businesses, and students who want to make a difference by engaging Delaware's youth in issues and advocacy on environmental issues!
Get Involved
Are you passionate about what we're doing? Let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to volunteer that best suits you. We're excited to have you join the team!
To learn more about the YES! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit, click here.
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Giving Tuesday is November 30th |
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Giving Tuesday is the Global Day of Giving, celebrated on the Tuesday immediately following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
We hope that you will consider supporting the Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education by getting involved with our community. Help others through the gift of your time, donations, goods or your voice.
You can help make it happen!
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NASA’s Powerful SLS Rocket Fully Stacked for Artemis I Moon Mission:
Liftoff for Deep Space in February 2022
By NASA Oct 25, 2021
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NASA has completed stacking of the agency’s mega-Moon rocket and spacecraft that will launch the next generation of deep space operations, including Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Engineers and technicians successfully secured the Orion spacecraft atop the fully assembled Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida just before midnight on October 21. Credit: NASA |
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NASA’s atop the agency’s powerful Space Launch System rocket, and the integrated system is entering the final phase of preparations for an upcoming uncrewed flight test around the Moon. The mission, known as Artemis I, will pave the way for a future flight test with crew before NASA establishes a regular cadence of more complex missions with astronauts on and around the Moon under Artemis.
With stacking complete, a series of integrated tests now sit between the mega-Moon rocket and targeted liftoff for deep space in February 2022.
To read the full article about NASA’s Artemis I program and launch, click here.
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What is the Relationship Between Artemis and Apollo?
Artemis is the daughter of the Greek Gods Leto and Zeus. Directly after her birth, Artemis helped her own mother deliver her twin brother, Apollo, God of the sun, poetry, music, archery, prophecy, and healing. While Artemis quickly became the best hunter in the land, Apollo became insistently jealous. He would often break her bow in two and trip her as she ran. When Artemis was the right age, she begged her father Zeus to allow her to live in the forests and mountains. He agreed and in no time, she was able to catch and hunt anything she sought after – never missing a target.
So maybe you’re thinking, Apollo was just being an overprotective brother? It seems like that’s what siblings do for each other!
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“Far too many students, from kindergarten classrooms to college lecture halls, are learning science by reading about it in a textbook, by listening passively, or memorizing disconnected facts. They’re left asking, ‘what does science have to do with my life'? Our report proposes a vision for the future of science education in which all students experience the joy, beauty, and power of science in the classroom and throughout their lives."
– Margaret Honey, President and CEO of the New York Hall of Science and Chair of the Committee that wrote the report “Call to Action for Science Education”
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To download the full report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, click here.
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November 20 • 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Second STEAM Symposium
Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation (DASEF)
invites young women and men to learn about exciting STEAM careers.
Clayton Hall, University of Delaware.
Shop while your children have an educational day!
Event is Free and includes lunch. For the flyer, click here.
Please register in advance. To register, click here.
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December 7-8
Delaware Pathways Conference
Don’t miss this informative event that will explore further development of a statewide
career pathways system that empowers young people to enroll in higher levels
of education and pursue competitive employment. The conference will highlight students, educators, community partners and employers who have deployed innovative
and effective solutions to support college and career readiness of our youth.
Cost to attend is $20 for both days.
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December 21 • 5 p.m.
STEM Educators Network
STEM Educators Network offers the 4th in the series.
Join us to find out more about Face-to-Face (F2F).
Please register in advance for this virtual meeting. To register, click here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with info about joining the meeting.
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February 25 • Save the Date!
Yes! The Youth Environment Summit
YES! is a statewide confab for all Delaware high school students interested in protecting our
Earth, from home schoolers, to all public, parochial and independent schools in Delaware.
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Our Sponsors & Supporters |
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Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education thanks the following
organizations for contributions to STEM education in Delaware.
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STEM Legacy
STEM Heritage
STEM Sustainer
STEM Network
STEM Business
STEM Friends
STEM Gifts in Kind
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Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education
100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tel: 302.397.0034 | Fax: 302.397.0036
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©2021 Delaware Foundation for Science & Math Education
501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.
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