Improving STEM Education in Delaware

Converging on a Business/Education Interface

A new school year has just launched. We are anticipating 2022-2023 will be a great year for STEM education in Delaware schools.

We are receiving an increased interest by our business partners to engage with STEM teachers and community partners. Businesses remain invested in ensuring students graduate with STEM skills for the future Delaware STEM workforce. Our Business/Education Interface task team continues to make more meaningful connections. This theme is a major part of the October 15th STEM Equity Conference. Please register and learn from Delaware STEM Equity Success Stories. 

See you at this FREE Conference sponsored by business and community partners! Registration links are included in this issue.

We hope you enjoy this edition of DFSME News!

Wishing you a successful 2022-2023 school year,

Randy Guschl, Executive Director

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education

On August 24, nearly 50 people gathered at DuPont’s Wilmington Global Innovation Center to collaborate on “moving the needle” in STEM education.

Collaborating to Move the STEM Education Needle

Last month, DuPont hosted more than 50 Delaware educators, community leaders, and partners at the DuPont Experimental Station to commemorate the one-year anniversary of a first-of-its kind STEM careers partnership across the state of Delaware.

Last year, DuPont, the Delaware Department of Education (DDoE), and Discovery Education launched

a 3-year pilot program which commits funds and critical resources to increase student access to

high-quality STEM career and technical education in the First State. It also provides educators with supplemental STEM instructional materials aligned with the Delaware Pathways initiative, and helps students to “see what they can be” by providing DuPont volunteers in classrooms to share their career journeys and love of STEM.

During the meeting, local education leaders and teachers, STEM-based nonprofit partners, Discovery Education staff, and DuPont employees participated in small group discussions focused on equitable access to STEM and increasing student interest in STEM studies.

Pictured left: Nicole Poore, President of Jobs for Delaware Graduates, shares highlights from a table discussion.

John Wickert, Director of CTE and STEM Initiatives for the DDoE, spoke passionately about the program’s success in Year One and how it gives teachers much-needed support to bring innovative lessons into the classroom. Amy Nakamoto, Director of Global Partnerships at Discovery Education, explained the origins of their digital learning platform and where they see it expanding in the next few years. Alexa Dembek, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer for DuPont, reflected on DuPont’s history of innovation and how its current transformation is focused on a relentless pursuit of making a difference and taking on bold challenges, such as moving the needle in STEM. Alexa also applauded the Delaware ecosystem of STEM-focused organizations on working together toward common goals to make an impact in students’ lives.

Following the meeting, attendees toured DuPont’s Wilmington Global Innovation Center.

Delaware educators interested in this innovative partnership, click here.

Mountaire Farms Joins Efforts to

Help Improve STEM Education in Delaware

Mountaire Farms awarded the Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME) a sponsorship donation to help support the improvement of STEM Education in Delaware. Amanda Irwin, Mountaire Vice President of Processing Operations, hosted the visiting group, explaining Mountaire is a vertically integrated poultry company employing approximately 5,000 employees locally and an additional 5,000 people in North Carolina. JR LaPearl, Director of Mountaire Cares, also led a discussion regarding the Mountaire Cares program. Mountaire’s charitable giving helps reinforce all the work that local non-profits and charitable groups do through community leadership. Through Amanda’s directorship, Mountaire is committed to improved effectiveness in Delaware’s educational system through STEM education reform and impact.

For more information about Mountaire, click here. 

Pictured (L-R) Amanda Irwin, Mountaire Farms VP of Processing Operations; Randy Guschl, DFSME Executive Director, Lourdes Puig, DFSME Vice President; Daniele Kidd, Delaware Technical Community College department chair, Collegiate FFA advisor and DFSME board member; and JR LaPearl, Director of Mountaire Cares.

Welcome to the DFSME Team, Amanda!



Amanda joins the DFSME team as our newest board member. The Board welcomes Amanda in helping educators to prepare students for a strengthened Delaware workforce.

Amanda started her career in the Millsboro, Delaware facility as a summer intern during college and returned after graduation as a management trainee. 

In the past 25 years, she has held management positions in all areas of processing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Clemson University and a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Management from Wilmington University. Amanda has been a resident of Delaware for more than 30 years.

Amanda has been a supporter of STEM education as a parent and in her professional life as well. The opportunity to serve on the DFSME board aligns with her personal commitment to STEM education and professional development.

Croda Atlas Point recently sponsored "messy science labs" at Eisenberg Elementary School’s summer program in New Castle, DE. In collaboration with Delaware Technical Community College, Croda provided 250 students with a fun and informative slime and putty-making class that demonstrated the science involved in the creation of these sticky substances.

“We are so happy to support STEM learning for students in the Colonial School District. It is a pleasure to partner with both Colonial and Del Tech.”

— Chris Barnett, Atlas Point Director

Croda is a company whose purpose is to use Smart science to improve lives™. They develop and create innovative ingredients for consumer care and life sciences products.

To learn more about Croda, click here.

October 14

Delaware Math Equity Annual Conference (Virtual)

Statewide-In-Service: Delaware Equity Summit

Professional Learning Dedicated to Equity in Math

“Cultivating and Promoting Equitable Climates of Learning”

Conference sessions include a range of highly relevant topics and addressing systemic challenges of equity in education and the community.

Featured speakers include:

 Tanji Reed Marshall (Ed Trust), Jo Boaler (Stanford University), Pamela Jones Seda (Co-author of "Choosing to See: A Framework for Equity in the Math Classroom"), Beth Herbel-Eisenmann (MSU),

Eli Luberoff (Desmos), Mandy Jansen (UD), and many other inspiring leaders of math reform!

For information or to register, click here. 

To sponsor and support the event, click here. 

October 15

Delaware STEM Equity Conference (Virtual)

“What Does STEM Equity Success Look Like?”

Leaders of Delaware’s STEM Council, Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME), Delaware Mathematics Coalition (DMC), and Forum for the Advancement of Minorities in Engineering (FAME) are committed to building structures and systems that eliminate barriers to success in all STEM topics. This Conference engages PK20 educators, policy makers, and business leaders in meaningful learning experiences that are designed to leverage their capacity as agents of change.

Session leaders include: 

Luke Rhine (Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of CTE), Daniel Suchenski (DE STEM Council), Tonyea Mead (DDOE), Milton Muldrow (Wilmington University), Alexa Dembek (DuPont), Carolmarie Brown (Ashland), Jon Wickhert (DDOE), Andrea Gardner (Discovery Education) and other highly respected local and national STEM leaders who will engage participants in conversations and learning, focused on positively influencing and impacting classroom and systems level equity challenges in STEM.

For more information on speakers and to register, click here. 

To sponsor and support the event, click here. 

Please join hosts Delaware Mathematics Coalition, Delaware Department of Education, Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education, Delaware STEM Council, and FAME.

DFSME’s September “Shining Light Award”

Honors Brian Heeney, Next Generation Science Standards Educator

Brian Heeney of Delcastle Technical H.S. (left), accepts a DFSME Shining Light Award from DFSME Executive Director Randy Guschl.

This month’s DFSME Shining Light Award honors Brian Heeney, science content teacher leader at Delcastle Technical High School. As Delcastle’s science content teacher leader, Brian provides NGSS professional development for his department and district science staff. He serves as a NGSS Teacher Leader for the State of Delaware, facilitates curriculum training for biology teachers across the state, and was an item reviewer for the DeSSA biology assessment. Brian also presented on the use of digital cameras in science education at NABT.

Showing students the relevance of scientific understanding in our world is important to Brian. He is an advocate for phenomenon-based instruction in the classroom, providing students opportunities to direct their learning through the use of driving question boards. 

Brian is a 2021 State of Delaware finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST is the highest recognition that K-12 STEM teachers can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.

We are pleased to recognize Brian Henney as a superlative educator!

Brian Heeney was nominated by Rita Vasta, former NCC Vocational School District Asst Principal.

Nominate Your Favorite Educator to be a “Shining Light”

The DFSME Shining Light Award recognizes outstanding examples of the excellence of Delaware teachers. Every day in classrooms throughout the state, Delaware teachers enable young learners to be informed citizens in an increasingly complex world. They prepare their students to be competitive in the ever-changing global workforce and to be the problem-solvers of the next generation. Honorees receive a $100 gift card, a mini heavy-duty mag flashlight and lots of recognition!

ANYONE may nominate a Delaware STEM formal, informal or community educator.

Click here to download an easy-to-fill word document. Email completed form to Anne.dfsme@gmail.com with “Shining Light Award” in the subject line.

Data Science Camp Recap

What it Means to Engage in Data Science Inquiry

This past August, teachers from 10 different Delaware schools and institutions converged at the St. Andrews School to launch their journey to learn more about data science. Camp facilitators included Tech Impact Data Science team leader

Ryan Harrington, DCTM Past President and St. Andrews Math Department member

Eric Finch, and DMC Executive Director Dr. Jamila Riser.

Participants explored the use of tools such as COLAB and Edublocks, and played with coding challenges. The teachers were very enthusiastic about their experience and highly recommended the training to other colleagues in the state.

This pilot project represents a unique collaboration between leaders of DMC, Tech Impact, DCTM and DDOE. It was funded by a DFSME SEED Grant with contributions from LabWare Delaware.

For more information, click here. 

Free eBook by STEMconnector

Connecting the World is STEM

This eBook looks at the many ways microtechnology connects the world and how selected companies are leading in innovation and career pathways.



Tiny items with massive influence, semiconductor chips are

at the center of our digital world. Smart phones, video game consoles, computers, automobiles, appliances are just a few of the everyday items powered by microtechnology. It’s no surprise the global semiconductor industry is forecasted to grow from $450 billion in 2021 to over $800 billion by 2028.

In 2020, there were about 277,000 jobs in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

From the microchip to the metaverse, we hope this book inspires you to jump into the future with a career in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and microtechnology.

To download this FREE visual eBook by STEMconnector, click here.

The theme for this year’s Coast Day Essay Contest is Weathering the Storm. Students are asked to describe a type of extreme weather event that happens in Delaware such as tornados, flooding, hurricanes, and nor’easters, how the weather event can affect their neighborhood and community, and what they and their family can do prepare for the weather event. Essay Contest winners and students receiving honorable mention will be recognized in a special online ceremony later in October.

To download an Essay Packet, click here.

Mail completed essay submissions to David Christopher, Delaware Sea Grant, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958 or email dmchrist@udel.edu, using "Essay Contest" in the subject line. Must be postmarked or emailed, by 5 pm October 7, 2022 or drop off at the Delaware Sea Grant tent during Coast Day on October 2, 2022. 

Please pass this information on to any interested teachers, parents or students.

Join us October 2nd, as Coast Day returns to the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes, Delaware!

Coast Day showcases how UD scientists, staff, and students are improving our understanding of ocean environments and serve coastal communities. Attendees interact with researchers, try hands-on activities, and attend presentations on a range of topics, providing fun while learning about coastal, marine and environmental science.

For more information about Coast Day events and activities, click here.

Students, register now for the Challenge and start coding your app!

Deadline: November 1, 2022.

Each year, the Congresswoman’s office participates in the Congressional App Challenge to help encourage middle and high school age students to get involved in the STEM field.

This competition is open to all Delaware students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. Students of all skill levels are strongly encouraged to participate! The Delaware winner will be selected at the end of the year by Congresswoman Blunt Rochester and a panel of judges. The Delaware winner will be featured on https://CongressionalAppChallenge.us and the winning app will be eligible for display in the U.S. Capitol along with other state winners from across the country.

The Challenge is designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science.

For more information, visit https://CongressionalAppChallenge.us, or contact us by emailing StudentSupport@https://CongressionalAppChallenge.us, or Iris Turner at iris.turner@mail.house.gov.

To register for the 2022 Congressional App Challenge, click here. 

For 30 years the Mission of the Sussex County Science Fair has been to promote an interest in science and scientific investigation for students in Sussex County. The Fair provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to showcase their Science, Mathematics and Engineering projects.

Available to ALL students in grades 6-12 in any Sussex County School

Monday, March 23, 2023

Delaware Technical & Community College, Georgetown

What to Expect: The student investigates and designs a STEM related research project. They present the project at the Sussex County Science Fair, using a Tri-Fold Poster Board and their Log Book. 

STEM Research Categories: Biochemistry, Botany, Behavioral Science, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth & Space Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine & Health Science, Microbiology, Physics, or Zoology.

Timeframe: Students have a year in which to conduct their research. The time period goes from January of the previous year through February of the year of the Fair.

Student Sponsor: Student’s Teacher, or a Principal, Parent, or Scientist.

For more information, contact Sussex County Science Fair Directors Rob Schroeder at rdschroe711@gmail.com or Helen Gieske at hgieske@verizon.net.

SussexCountyScienceFair.org

Education - Core Sessions

Enrollment is now open for students rising into grades 7-12. The focus is academic planning, test prep for PSAT, SAT and ACT, and Skill Maintenance.

Workforce - Path to Success (CAST) / AME 302

The Cast Program is designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in entering the construction and skilled trades industry.

AME 302 Programs are for participants ages 16-24 that want to learn skills necessary to work in customer service industries. Workforce programs are free!

To download the registration info flyer, click here.

For enrollment information and application, click here. 

For more information, contact Lakia Belcher, Director of Education, at lbelcher@fameinc.org or Stephanie Lewis, Director of Workforce at slewis@fameinc.org.

September 22, 27 & 29

Discovery Education

Course: Getting Started with Discovery Education

Participants learn how to navigate Discovery Education’s K-12 learning platform

Sept 22 at 2:00 p.m.; and Sept 27 at 3:00 p.m.

Course: Supporting Literacy Across All Disciplines with Discovery Education

Sept 29 at 2:00 p.m.

For course descriptions and to download the flyer, click here.

……………………………………………………………

September 23

STEM Major Innovation Fair

September 21-25

HBCU Week Wilmington 2022

DuPont is a sponsor of this hands-on opportunity for students to learn about STEM curricula

that drives innovation, and encompasses work focused on protection, healthcare, next

generation automotive, digital, and IT business lines. The goal of the Fair is to both inspire

the next generation of STEM leaders and generate interest in a DuPont career.

For more information, click here.

To register, click here.

……………………………………………………………

October 2 • 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Coast Day - Lewes, Delaware

Coast Day returns to the UD Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes!

Coast Day showcases how University of Delaware scientists, staff, and students

are improving our understanding of ocean environments and serve coastal communities.

Attendees interact with researchers, try hands-on activities, and attend presentations on a range

of topics, providing fun while learning about coastal, marine and environmental science.

For more information and to register, click here.

……………………………………………………………

Save the Date! October 7 • 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Million Women Mentors STEM Leaders In-person Brunch

Join the MWM-DE Steering Committee for gatherings of STEM leaders to learn how to help

develop stronger connections between companies, universities, girl-serving organizations

and K-12 schools around engaging and mentoring more girls in STEM.

More details to follow in the coming weeks.

To learn more about Million Women Mentors, click here.

…………………………………………………………

Register Now! October 14-15

Delaware Mathematics & STEM Equity Conferences

One and a half powerful days of professional learning dedicated to Equity in Math and STEM.

Hosted by the Delaware Mathematics Coalition, Delaware Department of Education,

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education, Delaware STEM Council, and FAME.

We encourage you to register for both FREE conference days:

To Register for the Oct. 14th Math Equity Conference, click here. 

To Register for the Oct. 15th STEM Equity Conference, click here. 

……………………………………………………………

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 Educator Awards, the Jon Manon STEAM Team Educator Award and others!

For more information, click here.

DFSME thanks the following organizations for contributions to STEM education in Delaware.

STEM Legacy

DuPont | LabWare

STEM Heritage

Ashland | Mountaire | Verizon

STEM Sustainer

Bloom Energy

STEM Network

Delmarva Power an Exelon Company

STEM Business

Agilent Technologies | Croda

STEM Friends

Delaware Math Coalition | Delaware STEM Council | Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative

STEM Gifts in Kind

Beebe Healthcare | Chesapeake Utilities | Christiana Care | Corteva Agriscience | Cyber Streets

Delaware Department of Education | Delaware Design Company | Delaware Technical Community College Delaware Nature Society | DelawareBio | Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

EDiS | FAME, Inc. | ILC Dover | Junior Achievement | Million Women Mentors | Spekciton Biosciences LLC

Stroud Water Research Center | University of Delaware | Whisman Giordano & Associates

Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education

100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612 

Wilmington, DE 19801 

Tel: 302.397.0034 | Fax: 302.397.0036 

Email: anne.dfsme@gmail.com

www.dfsme.org