March is Women’s History Month, selected to correspond with #InternationalWomensMonth! Let us honor all those women who lead the way with their skill, dedication, and perseverance – even when faced with adversity. During the month of March, we give extra attention to the amazing accomplishments of strong, determined women.

Delawareans will celebrate the second annual “Delaware Women and Girls in STEM Day” on March 24. Established In 2021 by the State of Delaware Governor’s Office, last year’s events were hosted in collaboration with Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long.

This groundbreaking event and concept was initiated by Jackie Means, “Delaware’s STEM Queen”
and Founder of the Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative.

We are fortunate to have such steadfast and committed women at the helm of STEM education
in our state.
 
— Randy Guschl, Executive Director
Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education
Live on March 24 at 1:15pm
Governor Carney Will Proclaim
"Women and Girls in STEM Day"
Million Women Mentors to Announce Inaugural Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honorees

Join us live on Thursday, March 24 as Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long sign the second annual “Women and Girls in STEM Day” proclamation. The proclamation celebrates the contributions of women and girls in STEM in the State of Delaware.

Members of Million Women Mentors Delaware (MWM-DE) and Lt. Gov. Hall-Long, National Honorary
Co-Chair of MWM, and Jackie Means will announce the inaugural list of Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM honorees. This annual recognition will highlight the accomplishments, perseverance, brilliance and tenacity of women in STEM, as well as illuminate the many STEM career paths for Delaware girls.

To watch the live streaming event on Facebook, visit https://www.facebook.com/LtGovernorDE.
 
We want to hear from you! As we continue to add future honorees, nominations will be accepted from all Delawareans. The Nomination process will open in May 2022, so stay tuned!
 
In the following months, DFSME News will highlight the STEM honorees and their role-model stories that can be shared with students, colleagues and friends. Additional details will also be available on Million Women Mentors’ website in coming months.
 
Million Women Mentors is the premier network dedicated to encouraging girls and women around the world to pursue, persist and succeed in STEM careers.
On Exhibit through April 17, 2022
Delaware Women Hall of Fame
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame, the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy commissioned Delaware artist Theresa Walton to create portraits of every woman inducted from 1981 to 2021. Walton, a retired educator with over 25 years’ experience, paints in both watercolors and acrylics and has exhibited in various venues in the Newark and Wilmington area. The exhibit features 160 portraits and celebrates the tremendous achievements of women from across Delaware in a variety of professional fields.

The public is invited to view the portraits at the Delaware Art Museum through April 17, 2022. 

To view each Hall of Fame portrait and her contribution, click here.

For more information about the Delaware Art Museum exhibit and to plan your visit, click here.
Women’s History Month celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of women in history, society, and culture. It has been annually observed every March since 1987. Some important dates on the timeline include women winning the right to vote in 1920, Sandra Day O’Connor becoming the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981, and Sally Ride being the first woman and teacher in space in 1983. This month is about honoring magnificent ladies!
Smithsonian Debuts the Largest Collection of Female Statues to Honor Trailblazers in STEM for Women’s History Month
 
The Smithsonian is commemorating Women’s History Month by honoring more than a hundred women who are changing the future. The museum has unveiled a new historic exhibit, “#IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit", featuring 120 life-size 3D statues of women who have excelled in the fields of STEM.

Each statue features a QR code that visitors can scan with their phones to learn more about the woman depicted. The Smithsonian and partners describe the project especially important for girls and young women to see so that they will know that they too can grow up and they too can change the world.
 
To read the Today show article and see coverage of the unveiling, click here.
Stephanie Kwolek, Delaware Chemist
and Inventor of Kevlar®

Stephanie Kwolek was a chemist and an inventor who worked at DuPont for forty years. While working for DuPont, Kwolek invented Kevlar, though she did not know what it would be used for, she knew that the compound, five times stronger than steel by weight could have many uses. 

In 1980, Kwolek received the Chemical Pioneer Award from the American Institute of Chemists, and an Award for Creative Invention from the American Chemical Society. In 1986, Kwolek retired as a research associate for DuPont, but continued to show a passion for chemistry for the rest of her life until her passing in 2014.  
 
To read the full article by American Chemical Society, click here.
Emily Bissell, Founder of Wilmington’s
First Public Kindergarten, and Stamping Out Tuberculosis with Christmas Seals

Born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1861, Emily Perkins Bissell is known for being the founder of Wilmington’s first public kindergarten. She is also known for her efforts to introduce child labor laws in Delaware. In 1883, she founded an organization, now known as the West End Neighborhood House that originally provided social services to Wilmington’s immigrant Irish and German families. 

Bissell was passionate in her pursuit of finding the cure for tuberculosis. She popularized the system where people attached a special kind of stamp to their mail during the Christmas season, and the proceeds would go to fighting the disease. Though the idea failed at first, Bissell continued on, eventually making three thousand dollars, which was well beyond her original goal.  

She spent the remainder of her life promoting Christmas stamps and helping to eliminate tuberculosis before dying in 1948. In 1980, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 15 cent stamp in her honor.

To read more about Bissell and “7 Delaware Women who Changed the World,” click here.
Mary Jackson, Renowned Mathematician and NASA Aeronautical Scientist of “Hidden Figures” Fame

Mary Jackson, the renowned mathematician and NASA aeronautical scientist of “Hidden Figures” fame had a circuitous route to her historic career as the first Black woman to work for the space agency. The HBCU graduate and three of her fellow Black women co-engineers and mathematicians at NASA were awarded Congressional Gold Medals in 2019.

Jackson began her engineering career in an era in which female engineers of any background were a rarity; in the 1950s, she very well may have been the only black female aeronautical engineer in the field. For nearly two decades she enjoyed a productive engineering career, authoring or co-authoring a dozen or so research reports, most focused on the behavior of the boundary layer of air around airplanes. As the years progressed, the promotions slowed, and she became frustrated at her inability to break into management-level grades. In 1979, seeing that the glass ceiling was the rule rather than the exception for the center’s female professionals, she made a final, dramatic career change, leaving engineering and taking a demotion to fill the open position of Langley’s Federal Women’s Program Manager. There, she worked hard to impact the hiring and promotion of the next generation of all of NASA’s female mathematicians, engineers and scientists.

Jackson was named Langley’s Volunteer of the Year in 1976.

To learn more about Mary Jackson, click here.
2020 PAEMST Winners Announced
Two Delaware Educators Receive
National Teaching Award
Delaware teachers Brandi Luloff (left) and Leona Williams (right) were awarded the
2020 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
 
President Joe Biden has named two Delaware teachers recipients of the 2020 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest recognition that K-12 STEM teachers can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.
 
Brandi Luloff of Townsend Elementary School in the Appoquinimink School District is the 2020 mathematics awardee. Leona Williams of Forwood Elementary School in the Brandywine School District is the 2020 science awardee.
 
Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Holodick congratulated both for this prestigious honor.

“Brandi and Leona’s students know first-hand how great teaching leads to great learning. I am pleased these teachers are getting this national recognition for the work they lead in their schools every day,” he said, noting he witnessed as Brandywine’s former superintendent how Williams connects STEM content to relevant topics and issues that impact students and their families. “It naturally increases student engagement and interest.”
 
To learn more about Brandi Luloff’s bio and PAEMST Award, click here.
 
To read more about Leona Williams bio and PAEMST Award, click here.
Interested in Science & Chemistry?

Project SEED Virtual Camp

Application Deadline is
March 21, 2022

Project SEED Virtual Camp is a two-week program sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS), and will take place this July. This virtual summer camp is open to students focusing on college readiness and professional development, lab preparedness and exposure to chemistry-related career paths.

For eligibility criteria and to apply, click here.

Students must apply before
Monday, March 21 in order to be considered for participation.

Register Today!
Catalyzing Change:
STEM Talent Conference
April 13, 2022
 
Hosted by DESCA

Keynote Speakers:

Kimberly Markiewicz
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, DuPont
 
Mark Holodick
Delaware Department
of Education Secretary

  • New technologies are bringing with them new skills needs. What does the new STEM economy look like for future talent?

  • What do today's employees look for in an employer? Your chance to talk to industry and tell them what's important to YOU!

  • Companies are increasingly offering pre-employment opportunities. From apprenticeships to internships, our panel talks about how to leverage these to gain skills and experience.

To register, click here.
For information, agenda and to download the flyer, click here.

YES! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit

Event: Thursday, April 14
7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Clayton Hall Conference Ctr, Newark DE

Early Bird Registration: March 25
Registration Deadline: April 8
Space is limited to first 300 registrants
 
YES! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit will bring together high school students from across Delaware who are interested in protecting our Earth. Open to all public, parochial, home schoolers and independent schools in Delaware. Planned by students, YES! inspires youth-led action and environmental leadership through keynote speakers, breakout workshops, and nonprofit and agency exhibitors. Get involved!
 
All teams must include an adult advisor who agrees to serve as the point person for the team.
Masking and Proof of Covid vaccination or negative test will be required at the summit. 
 
For registration details and to register your team, click here.
Wilmington’s 2022 Youth Career Development Program
Delaware Department of Parks and Recreation
 
Program begins on June 20, 2022
Deadline to apply is Friday, April 1
 
The City will employ hundreds of youths this summer in numerous professions and internships within City government as well as in the business and community sectors. Mayor Purzycki said the Youth Career Development Program is intended to help younger City residents develop valuable work skills and prepare them for a successful career and future.
 
Those interested in summer employment must apply online or by using their smartphone. Once an account is created and the registration is received by YCD staff, the applicant will be scheduled for an intake appointment to review the application and required documents.

For further information, eligibility and to download the flyer, click here.
Aquatic Resources Education Center, Smyrna DE
April and May, 2022

Students rotate through 6 eco-stations to investigate various components and connections in a tidal salt marsh ecosystem. All fifth grade students are invited to participate including home schoolers. Aquatic Resources Education Center is operated by the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, focusing on wetlands, fishing and other aquatic education themes.
 
This field trip is free of charge! Bring your students to explore the Delaware Bay coastal ecosystem and the abundant wildlife it supports.
 
To download the flyer, click here.
For more information or to register, contact Mary Rivera at mary.rivera@delaware.gov.
To visit our website, click here.
Get Funding for Programs that Benefit Youth and Adult Learners to Expand Delaware’s Workforce
Create Learning Opportunities for Delawareans in the Business Community
Deadline March 28, 1 p.m.
 
The Delaware Workforce Development Board (DWDB), in partnership with Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment and Training (DOL) and Delaware Department of Education, (DOE) invites eligible applicants to propose services and request funding to engage Delaware’s business community in a planning process that results in the creation or expansion of paid work experiences for youth and adult learners in Delaware.
 
The purpose of the investments as a result of this RFP is to increase employer participation in student education, training, and employment programs that leads to an increase in the number of:

  • Youth served through summer youth employment or other DOL funded programs.
  • Secondary school students participating in work-based learning and/or co-operative education programs.
  • Postsecondary students participating in work-based learning and/or clinical/experiential learning programs.
  • Strengthen employer-led efforts to recruit youth (ages 16 to 24) into the workforce and/or to expand the capacity.
 
For more information about submitting this RFP, click here.
FAME Summer Program
is Open for Enrollment!
Deadline: May 2, 2022

Summer dates:
June 20 - July 28
All applications are due by May 2

Spring dates still open:
April 2 - 9
May 7 - 21

For registration information and a Summer Application, click here.

To download the flyer, click here.

March 1-31
Women's History Month
A dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked
contributions of women to United States history.

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March 21 - Application Deadline
Project SEED Virtual Camp
Sponsored by American Chemical Society, this 2-week program takes place in July
and is open to students focusing on college readiness, professional development,
lab preparedness and chemistry-related career paths.
For more information and free teacher resources, click here.

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March 24 1:15 p.m.
Delaware Women & Girls STEM Day
Join us live as Gov. John Carney and Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long celebrate the
2nd annual Delaware Women & Girls STEM Day. Million Women Mentors
will reveal the inaugural 10 Outstanding Women in STEM Honorees.
Live on Facebook at 1:15 p.m. at https://www.facebook.com/LtGovernorDE

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April 1 - Registration Deadline
City of Wilmington Youth Career Development Program 2022
Program begins June 20th. Youth Career Development Program is intended to help younger City residents develop valuable work skills and prepare them for a successful career and future.
For further information, eligibility and to download the flyer, click here.

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April 7
Cohort Three: Emerging Leaders in Biotechnology
March 17 - Application Deadline
This talent accelerator program introduces high school and college women to biotechnology
jobs in an all-female cohort environment. Students get hands-on laboratory experiences
and meet female luminaries from all across the spectrum of STEM careers.
For more information, click here.

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April 9
Exploration: Planets
Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation (DASEF)
NASA is racing toward new planetary discoveries. Race along with them! You and your child will
get the most up-to-date information about Mars via data from NASA's InSight planetary lander.
Design and build a model of a planetary rover and a robotic hand, and more.
To sign up, call (302) 834-1978 or email your name and phone number
to Lynne Bloom at dasef.outpost@gmail.com.

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April 13
Catalyzing Change: From Curriculum to Career
Building a diverse and equitable STEM talent pipeline
Brings together students of all ages, educators, and industry to showcase the mid-Atlantic region’s STEM opportunities, resources and discussion around future talent skills and needs.
To learn more, download the program and register, click here.

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April 14
YES! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit 2022
April 8 - Registration Deadline
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.
To learn more about YES!, click here.

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On Exhibit through April 17
Delaware Hall of Fame at Delaware Art Museum
Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Hall of Fame, 160 portraits are on display
in celebration of the achievements of women in Delaware.
For more info and to plan your visit, click here. 

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April 19 • 4 p.m.
April STEM Educator Network
We are excited to announce that the April STEM Educator Network meeting
is with Melissa Tracy (Odyssey Charter School) who will discuss Student Advocacy.
Please register in advance for this zoom meeting.
After registering you will receive a confirmation email and information to join.
To register, click here.

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May 2
Application Deadline: FAME Summer Program 2022
Summer program runs from June 20th through July 29th 2022
Preparing and motivating students in grades K-12, with a specific focus on under-represented
minorities and girls to enter college and complete a degree in STEM fields of study.
To register, click here.

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Save the Date! October 14-15
Delaware Mathematics & STEM Equity Conferences
Two powerful days of professional learning dedicated to Equity in Math and STEM.
Sponsored by the Delaware Mathematics Coalition & Delaware Department of Education.
 
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Save the Date! November 17
8th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards Ceremony
Live Zoom Videocast from Buena Vista Country Estate in New Castle, Delaware.
Co-hosted by Delaware STEM Council and DFSME, the event announces winners at the
Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12) levels,
the Community Award, the Jon Manon STEAM Team Educator Award and others!
For more information, click here.

Our Sponsors & Supporters
Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education thanks the following
organizations for contributions to STEM education in Delaware.

Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education
100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612 
Wilmington, DE 19801 
Tel: 302.397.0034 | Fax: 302.397.0036 
©2022 Delaware Foundation for Science & Math Education
501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.