As DFSME News expands its reach, we are receiving feedback from educators and the business community who value our focus on relevant high-tech STEM news and stories they can use in their classrooms and at work.
Each month we focus on a particular area of STEM interest such as January’s issue which was devoted to the importance of teacher recognition and awards. This month we are enthusiastically sharing events and celebrations happening this time of year, including Black History Month, Engineering Week and a preview of Women in History Month in March. Since Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) continues as a high priority for all of us, we highlight inspiring examples of those who have overcome barriers and achieved accomplishments. They, and their rich histories, serve as learning tools.
DFSME advocates STEM efforts in Food & Ag, Healthcare, Environment / Watershed / Energy / Climate Change / Materials Science and Computer Science / IT in the Financial Community. We are a STEM connector ecosystem that networks with educators, business people, and government.
We will keep you informed on gatherings and focused funding through seed and mini grants for teachers who welcome the support for high quality science and math education for EVERY student in Delaware. History proves that anyone can excel in STEM!
— Randy Guschl, Executive Director
Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education
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February is Black History Month and we’re thrilled to share stories of African Americans in science whose paths to success have been fraught with barriers and systemic inequities. DFSME thanks our many partners at the Smithsonian, Science History Institute, Corteva and others for these moving Black History Month stories. |
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For the Love of the Lab
Reatha Clark King wanted to be a research chemist, so she made the journey from the segregated South to Illinois. At the University of Chicago her dreams came true.
To read the Science History Institute article, click here.
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Barrier-Breaking African American Female Chemist
Learn about Bettye Green, believed to be the first African American female chemist employed to work in a professional position at the Dow Chemical Company.
To read the Science History Institute article, click here.
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First African American Woman to
Receive a Science Doctorate in Botany
Dr. Marie Clark Taylor was a passionate educator and botanist. The first woman to receive a Ph.D. in botany in the United States and the first Black woman to receive a Ph.D. in science from Fordham University (1941), Dr. Taylor had a decades-long career teaching undergraduates at Howard University where she became the first Botany Department chair. Among numerous contributions to education, Dr. Taylor promoted the use of plants as accessible materials to teach about cellular life processes and the value of hands on learning.
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George Washington Carver was born enslaved in Missouri during the Civil War. He made it his mission to use agricultural chemistry and scientific methodology to improve the lives of impoverished farmers in the post-war South. His work developing hundreds of new products from peanuts, a soil-enriching legume, earned him the nickname the Peanut Man.
Carver’s Early Background with Etta May Budd
As his early friend and art teacher, Etta May Budd took Carver aside one day and urged him to study something besides art. Etta told him he could never support himself or a family with his artwork. Instead of painting plants, she encouraged him to study them. She offered to go with him to Iowa State where her father was a professor. After thinking about it, Carver agreed to enroll at Iowa State.
Some time later, Etta visited George Washington Carver at Ames. There she discovered something that made her very unhappy. Because Carver was black he had to eat his meals in the kitchen rather than the dining hall with the other students. This was unacceptable to Etta. She brought him into the dining hall where the white students took their meals. There she ate with him until the other students accepted him.
At Iowa State Carver was a brilliant biology student. He even took graduate work and upon graduation, was offered a teaching position. He was the first black teacher that Iowa State had ever hired.
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Follow the historical series of relationships that changed the world! Learn of Etta May Budd's mentorship with Carver, to his connection with Henry A. Wallace – who later founded Pioneer Hi-bred International, to Wallace’s appointment to Secretary of Agriculture and then election to the position of Vice President.
From there, Wallace went on to Mexico and helped double corn production and increase wheat production five-fold working with Norman Borlaug. Borlaug went on to win the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for helping to feed the world with corn, wheat and rice.
To read and share this amazing agricultural journey with your students, click here.
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Black Women in Engineering
In celebration of #BlackHistoryMonth, the Society of Women Engineers helps us to highlight a few incredible women STEM engineers who have made significant contributions and advancements in all realms of science, engineering, and technology.
To learn more about the accomplishments of the following STEM women, click here.
Malika Grayson, Ph.D., Application Portfolio Manager, Northrop Grumman
Christine Darden, Doctor of Science, Retired Aerospace Engineer, NASA
Kimberly Bryant, Founder and CEO, Black Girls Code
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Women of Color in STEM
Have you ever used a GPS for directions or taken medicine for an illness? For too long, the contributions of women of color to science have widely gone untold. The Smithsonian Science Education Center created Stories of Women of Color in STEM to champion the ingenuity that has transformed America and beyond.
This e-book features biographies of trailblazing women who made history through their scientific discoveries and innovation. From pharmacologist and Nobel Prize winner Tu Youyou to mathematician Gladys West, learn how women have defied gender and racial stereotypes and overcome structural barriers to advance the science, technology, engineering, and math industries.
To read and share Stories of Women of Color in STEM e-Book, click here.
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Apply Now for DFSME Seed Grants!
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The Delaware Foundation for Science & Math Education (DFSME) is accepting applications for their 2022 Seed Grants.
DFSME provides Seed Grants each year for innovative programs that support their mission and vision and are suited to standards-based STEM education for Delaware teachers and students. Seed Grants are designed to provide a portion of the costs of a program that either is new or that replicates a successful program in a new geographic area or for a new population. Awards generally range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Click here to download the application details and requirements.
Deadline: Seed Grant proposals must be submitted by February 28, 2022 by 5 pm
Final decisions will be announced mid-April.
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Discovery Education
Spring 2022 Student & Community Challenges
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Discovery Education offers a wide variety of exciting challenges and sweepstakes that give schools a go-to framework for continuous student inspiration and engagement. Get students involved in making their lives and communities better with one good idea in a Discovery Education student challenge. From community improvement to STEM innovation, there are many exciting ways for students to turn simple problem-solving into real-world success.
Now Open for Entries!
Innovation Generation Trade Champions Challenge – Open until April 15
3M Young Scientist Challenge – Open until April 26
Innovation Ignition Student Challenge – Open all year
Stronger Than Hate Challenge, Ages 13-18 - Open until April 26
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What’s Happening with Data Science in Delaware? |
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During the past year, Delaware Math Coalition (DMC) leaders have remained steadfast in their commitment to providing high quality mathematics professional learning opportunities to teachers, coaches, and administrators of mathematics in the state.
Included in this year’s efforts, DMC members have been engaging in a focused study about Data Science. Data-driven decision making in education can transform classrooms – dramatically improving teacher responsiveness to students, saving teachers time, and ensuring instruction is relevant. Data and analytics also play a vital role in addressing inequalities in education. As part of professional learning, DMC members have reviewed the literature, consulted with experts, and heard from real Data Scientists in the field.
According to a member of the DMC community, "Access to Data Science stands to greatly improve equity in math education. Allowing all students to learn how to interpret and analyze data will help improve their problem solving abilities and preparedness to navigate the world. Data science also makes learning more relevant and interesting to students because they are studying their community/world in real time and learning tools and strategies they can use throughout their lives to effect change."
To read the latest DMC newsletter about K-12 Mathematics and more, click here.
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Upcoming Math Professional Learning Opportunities
Hosted by Delaware Mathematics Coalition
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Curbside Listening to Learn Video Study Focus Group Series
Held Virtually:
March 7 • 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
April 4 • 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
K-5 teachers, coaches, and interventionists are invited to join us for these mathematically intense conversations about students’ ideas and thinking, learning progressions, and implications for teaching.
The Best Virtual Takeout in Town!
Click here for more info about Listening to Learn with video interviews and diagnostic tools by Marilyn Burns.
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DCML Triple Crown Conference |
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Held Virtually: March 12 • 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
This year, DCML is hosting its second annual Triple Crown Conference. The conference includes three strands of professional learning that are designed to address the varied needs of Delaware’s mathematics leadership community.
Join us for a high-packed, high-energy day of fun learning and growing with your peers!!
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Million Women Mentors International Women’s Day Webinar: “Breaking the Bias”
March 8 • 2 pm – 3:30 pm
You are invited to celebrate International Women's Day and #BreakTheBias with Million Women Mentors (MWM), STEMx, and Learning Blade.
Hear from thought-leaders working across the STEM ecosystem about their organizational efforts to support women in pursuing, persisting and succeeding in STEM careers. Additionally, presenters will offer their ideas for what you and/or your organization can do to support women in the STEM workforce and ‘Break the Bias’ as it pertains to women in STEM.
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Save the Date! March 24, 2022
Virtual Event: 2nd Annual “Women and Girls in STEM Day”
Last year, Delaware Governor John Carney was joined by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Million Women Mentors, Delaware STEM Council and STEM advocates, as he signed the proclamation establishing March 24th as “Women and Girls in STEM Day.”
As a part of this year’s virtual celebration, the event will include a revealing of the initial ten accomplished Delaware women honorees in Delaware STEM history.
Stay tuned for more details!
To view the 2021 proclamation signing and celebration, click here.
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Live Online Delaware Essay Contest on
Climate Change & Environmental Justice
Cash Awards!
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The RENEW (Reflective Essays on Nature, Earth and their Wonders) essay contest for Delaware's high school students is a platform for them to reflect – in writing – on climate change and environmental justice. It offers them an opportunity to underscore the urgency for everyone to act individually and collectively to counter the imminent existential threat and overcome a grave moral challenge.
Encourage your students to register now through May 15, 2022.
All Delaware high schoolers, including public, private, parochial, and homes schoolers can participate. Cash awards range from $500 - $2,000.
Live Essay Dates & Times
Friday, June 10 at 9:00 am • Tuesday, June 14 at 7:00 pm • Sunday, June 19 at 1:00 pm
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FAME Summer 2022 Program
Now Open for Enrollment!
Summer Dates:
June 20 - July 28
All applications are due by May 2
These Spring dates still remain open:
March 5 - 19
April 2 - 9
May 7 - 21
For more information about Registration and a Summer Application, click here.
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Register Now for March 4!
American Student Assistance (ASA) Solve Together 2.0
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Solve Together: Tomorrow’s Leaders Tackling Today’s Challenges is a national contest for middle school classrooms and students. Solve Together is an engaging opportunity to bring career exploration and modern-day skill development to middle school classrooms. Through a set of challenges based on real-world problems today, students will problem-solve through teamwork and innovation, all while competing for a chance to win financial prizes for themselves and their schools!
The top three place-winning student and teacher teams can win between $500 - $1,500. Likewise, Schools have a chance to win $2,500 - $10,000.
Registration is open to middle school students and teachers. It will remain open until March 4.
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Create Positive Change
in the State of Delaware!
Get involved and help mark this event, “Give Where You Live”. Let's make history in the growing world of education. Together, we can make a difference!
By donating to DFSME, you help our organization to implement ways to strengthen STEM education and to achieve high STEM literacy across all demographics. DFSME is a small organization in a small state, doing BIG things for STEM education in Delaware.
Your financial gifts will help train K-12 STEM teachers, develop well-informed STEM citizens, and encourage today’s students to aspire to become tomorrow’s STEM employees and enthusiasts!
No amount is too large or small. Your donation is tax-deductible.
During Do More 24 Delaware, to donate to DFSME and our partner nonprofits that share our passion for a quality science and math education for EVERY student in Delaware, click here.
REMIND ME! To receive a reminder ahead of Do More 24 Delaware, click here.
Thank you for your support!
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This community fundraiser is powered by United Way of Delaware and brings together
more than 300 nonprofits that serve the entire state of Delaware.
Follow United Way of Delaware:
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February 16
FAME Summer 2022 Registration is Now Open
Program dates are June 20 - July 29, 2022 • Applications are due by May 2.
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February 24; 1 pm - 2 pm
STEMconnector Webinar:
How Industry Can Support Systemic Change to Advance K-12 STEM Equity
The complex changing of remote learning and innovations in educational technology can be daunting. Explore foundational challenges and partnerships that are advancing K-12 equity through systemic change, and engage in a dialogue that will surface new ideas and approaches.
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February 20-26
Engineers Week
E-Week is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce
by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.
For more information and free teacher resources, click here.
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February 21-25
Northrop Grumman's Virtual Engineers Week
Northrop Grumman invites local educators, parents and students grades 5-8 to participate in
E-Week that celebrates the fun and excitement of engineering. Sessions are open to the public.
For information, registration and STEM resources, click here.
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February 23-25
2022 DSCA Virtual College & Career Fair
The Delaware School Counselor Association (DSCA) and Wilmington University
will host a virtual college and career fair with
Live chat with College and University recruiters (Wed, Feb 23; 4-8 p.m.)
Information from in-state and out-of-state Colleges and Universities
Information about the Armed Forces
Resources on FAFSA, scholarships, financial aid, and careers.
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March 3-4; 6 pm - 6 pm
Do More 24 Delaware
Give where you live on Delaware’s Giving Day.
You can help support STEM education with a donation to
Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME).
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Save the Date! March 8; 2 pm - 3:30 pm
Million Women Mentors International Women's Day Webinar: "Breaking the Bias"
You are invited to celebrate International Women's Day and #BreaktheBias with Million Women Mentors (MWM), STEMx, and Learning Blade. Hear from thought-leaders working across the STEM ecosystem about their organizational efforts to support women in pursuing, persisting and succeeding in STEM careers. Additionally, presenters will offer their ideas for what you and/or your organization can do to support women in the STEM workforce and ‘Break the Bias’ as it pertains to women in STEM.
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March 12
Triple Crown Conference
Delaware Council of Mathematics Leaders Annual Conference includes
the varied needs of Delaware’s mathematics leadership community.
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March 14
National Pi Day
Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi).
Pi Day is observed on March 14 (3/14 in the month/day format) since 3, 1, and 4
are the first three significant digits of π.
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March 15
STEM Educator Network
STEM Educators Network kicks off 2022!
Join us for a virtual tour of Mt. Cuba with guide Dorothy Leventry.
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Save the Date! March 24
Delaware Women & Girls STEM Day
Established in 2021 by the State of Delaware Governor’s Office and
hosted in collaboration with Million Women Mentors and Delaware STEM Council.
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April 13
Catalyzing Change: From Curriculum to Career
Building a diverse and equitable STEM talent pipeline
This virtual forum brings together students of all ages, educators, and industry to showcase the mid-Atlantic region’s STEM opportunities and resources, and to discuss current and 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
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.
Registration opens March 1st.
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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 18-19
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!
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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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©2022 Delaware Foundation for Science & Math Education
501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.
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