March is Women’s History Month, selected to correspond with #InternationalWomensMonth. Let's honor all the women who lead the way with their skill, dedication, and perseverance. During this month, we give extra attention to the amazing accomplishments of strong, determined women.

Delawareans will celebrate the third 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. Hall-Long is also Honorary Co-Chair of the National Million Women Mentors. This groundbreaking event 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 STEM helm in our state.



– Randy Guschl, Executive Director

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education

We hope you enjoy this Edition!

STS-7 mission specialist Sally Ride floats in the microgravity of low Earth orbit on the aft flight deck of the orbiter Challenger during STS-7 in 1983. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Sally Ride is best known as the first American woman and teacher in space. She is also remembered as a soft-spoken physicist who wanted to inspire young people to consider careers in technical fields. Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model, inspiring generations of young girls to reach for the stars. Following her career with NASA, in 2001 Ride founded her own company, Sally Ride Science, to pursue her passion of motivating girls and young women to pursue careers in science and math.

As an important piece of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative, Margaret Weitekamp, a curator of space history at the National Air and Space Museum, talks about Sally Ride's role as the first American woman in space, and how her leadership changed the perception of women in science. To see and share the Smithsonian’s Sally Ride “Her Story” video, click here.

To explore and be inspired by more Smithsonian “Her Story” examples, click here. 

Science History Institute

Celebrating Women in Science

Dr. Michael Somogyi and Dr. Irene E. Karl at the Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, photograph of the biochemistry professor (back row, center) and the metabolic disorder pioneer (back row, right) with four as-yet unidentified female colleagues, ca. 1942–1943.

Photo courtesy of Science History Institute

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Science History Institute is shining the spotlight on women in science by sharing their stories – stories that have often been obscured or even forgotten. For example, in the photo above, for nearly eight decades, only Dr. Somogyi was identified by name; the five women were labeled simply as “female laboratory assistants.” But thanks to a successful social media campaign in 2020, renowned biochemist Irene Karl has now been identified and the quest to name the others continues.

Discover more “hidden figures” by checking out the Women in Chemistry video series.

Marie Maynard Daly

First African American Woman

to Earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry in the U.S.

In 1947, Marie Maynard Daly (1921–2003) became the first African American woman to receive a doctorate in chemistry in the U.S.

at Columbia University. Overcoming the dual hurdles of racial and gender bias, Daly conducted important studies on cholesterol, sugars, and proteins. In addition to her research, she was committed to developing programs to increase the enrollment of minority students in medical school and graduate science programs.

Daly's early research included studies of the effects of cholesterol on the mechanics of the heart, the effects of sugars and other nutrients on the health of arteries, and the breakdown of the circulatory system as a result of advanced age or hypertension. Later she studied how proteins are produced and organized in the cell.

To check out more about Daly’s contributions in science, click here.

Uma Chowdhry

Dreaming and Achieving the Impossible

An ambitious teenager, Uma Chowdhry left her home in India to study physics and engineering in the U.S. But after falling in love with chemistry, particularly materials science, the study of solids at the molecular level, Chowdhry decided to work in industrial research. She was fascinated by the possibility that her findings might end up in a practical application on the open market.

Polymer science and technology are just two of the areas to which Uma Chowdhry contributed. For Chowdhry, a leader in both research and business, it was not enough to make a new material that she was proud of as a scientific accomplishment; she also had to find practical uses for it. She focused on moving new chemicals from beakers in the lab to products in the store.

In 2006, Chowdhry became DuPont’s Chief Science and Technology Officer, a position from which she retired in 2010, after 33 years with DuPont. She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1996 and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2003.

To learn more about Uma Chowdhry’s inspirational journey, click here.

Save the Date! March 24

2023 Delaware Women and Girls in STEM Day

Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long will proclaim March 24, 2023 “Delaware Women and Girls in STEM Day”. This will be the third annual celebration of women and girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in the State of Delaware. This special event was initiated in 2021 by Jacqueline Means, “The STEM Queen” and Founder of the Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative.

Million Women Mentors to Announce the

2023 Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honorees

Million Women Mentors Delaware (MWM-DE) will mark the occasion by announcing the 2023 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.

View the Proclamation Signing on March 24 at 12:30 p.m.

on Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/LtGovernorDE.

Watch for spotlight stories when DFSME News will highlight an Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM honoree each month in the coming year in celebration of the groundbreaking achievements of these Delaware women.

Million Women Mentors is the premier network dedicated to encouraging girls and women around the world to pursue, persist and succeed in STEM careers.The Delaware STEM Council and DFSME are partners in the event along with MWM-DE and the Office of the Governor, State of Delaware.

DFSME’s March “Shining Light Award”

Honors Kathleen Volturo, General Sciences Educator

This month’s DFSME Shining Light Award honors Kathleen Amanda Volturo. Kathy has worked in education for 20 years. Her focus is in General Sciences. Her first 11 years were spent at St. Mark’s High School followed by a year at Dickinson High School, and currently she teaches at Hodgson Vo-Tech of NCC.

Kathy’s teaching approach is to provide students with a means to connect with the material through personal understanding. Though educators are strongly encouraged to follow a set methodology, Kathy always looks for ways to enhance a given curriculum to make it as relatable to each student as possible. She feels that education isn’t a hat that fits all students the same way. She works hard at finding that equitable connection that promotes learning – and even enjoying – the student experience.

Kathy’s exemplary career highlights include Teacher of the Year (2008-2009) at St. Mark’s High School. She has been in the running for Teacher of the Year at Hodgson Vo-Tech (2018-2022). She attained a Masters in Applied Technology with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in General Science. Additional interests include being Science Assistant Summer Camp Counselor, Z-Club Moderator and Bowling Club Moderator.

We are pleased to recognize Kathleen Volturo as a superlative educator!

Kathleen was nominated by Dave Cadogan of Moonprint Solutions, Dover, DE.

____________



Anyone can Nominate a Shining Light Educator!

Who will YOU Nominate?

Every day in classrooms, Delaware teachers quietly go about enabling 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 problem-solvers of the next generation. Honorees receive a $100 gift card and a mini heavy-duty mag flashlight.

Email completed form to anne.dfsme@gmail.com.

Delaware Technical and Community College honored Donald L. Baker II in observance of Black History Month on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Georgetown Campus.

Don Baker II Honored by

Delaware Technical Community College

Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering (FAME), was congratulated on the achievement by Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (pictured far right) who said "You are planting the seeds and we are seeing the results already. You have taken FAME to the next level which is why we honor you today."

"I grew up with fantastic parents," said Baker. "Education was at the core. Love was at the core. Being a good human was at the core. Knowing how to hustle, positively, was at the core. This award is about them, it's not about me."

Baker reminded the audience that while the celebration of Black History Month is in February, the work itself is year round. "Selflessly, others who built this nation, women who built this nation, deserve to continue to be recognized in their month, and outside their month."

FAME, Inc. prepares and motivates K-12 students, with a specific focus on under-represented minorities and girls, to enter college and complete a degree in engineering or other STEM related fields of study. To learn more about FAME, click here.

Donald L. Baker II, Delaware Thought Leader and Partner

Don Baker has built a reputation for tackling the root causes of social issues including hunger, poverty, social/racial injustice, and education. The arts also became an important passion for him. He has served as a change agent for several institutions statewide, nationally, and internationally.



Locally and nationally, Baker has maintained multiple volunteer roles including serving as an appointed member of the NCC Diversity Commission, AFP International Board Member, Delaware Foundation of Science and Mathematics (DFSME) Board Member, and an NSTA member, as well as serving numerous other institutions.

Staying true to his Delaware roots, he continues to serve as a valuable thought partner for organizations like the DE STEM Council, the United Way of DE, DE Pathways, DFSME, the DE Community Foundation, DE Alliance for Non-Profit Advancement, DE Grant Makers Association, Leadership Delaware, and other organizations.

Women & Gender Equity at 100

Discover Data – ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies

Teachers, during #WomensHistoryMonth, make classroom connections as students analyze data on women’s changing roles in entertainment, professional sports, and leadership with the “Women & Gender Equity at 100” curriculum connector from Nielsen Foundation.

Students grades 6-12 will explore progress towards gender equity by analyzing data on women’s changing roles in entertainment, professional sports, and leadership.

Available to all Delaware HS/MS Teachers through their use of Discovery Ed programming.

To get the Curriculum Connector, click here.

To download the Discover Data Curriculum Connector Activity Sheets pdf, click here.

Save the Date! April 4

STEAM Showcase

William Penn HS • Open to the Public

On behalf of Colonial’s STEAM Leadership Team, we invite you to attend and participate in Colonial's Annual STEAM Showcase on Tuesday, April 4th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at William Penn HS. This will be an exciting event for our students and teachers to promote the connections between Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics!

A few key aspects of Colonial’s efforts in fostering STEAM education that will be featured include:

• Student-led STEAM projects across the grade levels
• Opportunities for STEAM connections across content areas
• Exciting course opportunities within the STEM College at William Penn HS
• Technology-infused learning across grade levels

This is an opportunity for students, families, and the community to participate in interactive activities that showcase the wonderful learning experiences Colonial has to offer!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Hosted by Colonial School District

#CSDSTEAM

Volunteer to Be a Judge!

Delaware Technology Student Association (DETSA)

State Conference

April 5-6, 2023 | Clayton Hall | University of Delaware

Attention Teachers and Advisors of STEM, Communication Technology, Technology Education, Engineering, Computer Science and Manufacturing. We are looking for judges for the 45th DETSA state conference and contest.

The officers anticipate student leaders from 47 schools will submit over three-thousand entries in STEM contests such as: Architectural Design; Biotechnology; Coding; Cybersecurity; Digital Video Production; Dragster Design; Engineering Design; Fashion Design and Technology; Forensic Technology; Geospatial Technology; Inventions & Innovations; Mechanical Engineering; Medical Technology; STEM Animation; Photographic Technology; Robotics; Structural Engineering; System Control Technology; Website Design; Video Game Design; and more!

LIVE events will be held on Apr 5-6 in partnership with the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware. Top medalists will earn the opportunity to represent Delaware at the National TSA Conference that is planned for June 28–July 2, 2023 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

For questions or to volunteer, email Mike.Fitzgerald@doe.k12.de.us 

Contests, Workshops, Tours & Events | TSA Website

Registration is Open!

2023 Delaware Pathways Conference

April 21 • 8:30am – 12:30pm

Clayton Hall | University of Delaware

The Delaware Pathways Conference will explore, feature, and celebrate progress in the development of a statewide career pathways system that values equity, student identity, and empowers young people and adults 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 career readiness.

To Register and view the schedule, click here.

STEM Goes Red Delaware

May 1, 2023 • 9am-2:30pm

Clayton Hall | University of Delaware

The American Heart Association strives to open doors for girls to bring them into health sciences careers locally and improve opportunities for girls currently underserved in Delaware. This in-person event for 8th to 10th grade girls will be open to students all over the state who are chosen by their schools to attend.

STEM Goes Red programming will feature workshops and exhibits that address career questions girls have. Business leaders will share how they navigated school, job and family as they came up through the ranks. Delaware girls have a much brighter future when they see themselves in great STEM careers.

Tickets include Go Red Luncheon. To learn more, visit 2023 STEM Goes Red Delaware.

For more information about STEM Goes Red Delaware, please email karen.gritton@heart.org.

“Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”

The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs

will be sponsoring six events in celebration of National Women’s History Month.

Admission is free and open to the public (some require reservations).

March 18

The Kidnapping of Bathsheba Bungy

A performance about the kidnapping of a free African American to be sold into slavery.

March 19

The Big House

A program about the first female prison guards employed in the U.S., here in Delaware.

March 24 and March 28

Well Seasoned Heirlooms

A Zoom program spotlighting recipes and women throughout Delaware history.

March 25

Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site: Touring the Homestead

Join historical interpreters to learn about the Cooch’s Bridge homestead.

March 25

A Delaware Mystery: The Disappearance of Little Horace Marvin Jr.

A recounting of the 1907 story and national manhunt of the Delaware child, by Brian Cannon.

For more information and full details on these events, click here.

Requests for Proposals are Being Accepted!

DFSME 2023 Seed Grants

Deadline for submission is April 28 at 5 p.m.

DFSME provides seed grants each year for innovative programs that support our mission and vision. The awards generally range from $1,000 to $5,000.



For more information and details, click here.

March 18 • 9am - 3pm

DASEF STEAM Symposium • Grades 5-12 • FREE Event

The Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation hosts keynote speaker 

Elaine Stewart from the Goddard Spaceflight Center, lead engineer for 

the Roman Space Telescope and support staff for the James Webb Space Telescope mission.

DuPont employees talk about their careers in a panel discussion and STEAM activities

 will include Coding, Ozobots & Turing Tumble. Capacity is limited.

Clayton Hall, University of Delaware.

Please register in advance for this FREE event. To register, click here.

 ……………………………………………………………

March 22 • 8am - 3pm

5th Annual Women Leading Delaware Education Conference: “She Leads”

Hosted by Delaware Academy for School Leadership is housed within the

School Success Center in the College of Education and Human Development

at the University of Delaware, along with the Delaware Department of Education.

For leaders K-12 and higher ed to address issues specific to women and leadership

during an impactful day of connection, introspection and inspiration.

Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Cost is $89-$99.

For more info and to register, click here. 

 ……………………………………………………………

March 23 • 4pm

Inspiring Women in STEM Quarterly Networking

Join us for the inaugural Inspiring Women in STEM Quarterly Networking event.

Hosted by Delaware BioScience Association.

591 Collaboration Way, Main Floor, Fintech Innovation Hub, Newark DE 19713

Cost is $50 per person. For info, contact info@delawarebio.org

To register, click here. 

 ……………………………………………………………

March 24

Delaware Women & Girls in STEM Day

Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long will proclaim March 24, 2023

“Delaware Women and Girls in 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.

For more information or questions, email mwm.dfsme@gmail.com.

 ……………………………………………………………

March 25 • 10am – Noon

Appoquinimink STEM Showcase

Features all Appoquinimink elementary schools and early childhood centers’

STEM/science fairs in one place. Also includes K-5 STEM Challenges and Activities for all students.

Parents will be on hand to share stories of their careers in STEM.

The public is welcome. Odessa High School Cafeteria & Performing Arts Center.

For more information, email Todd Dunn at Todd.Dunn@appo.k12.de.us.

……………………………………………………………

March 29 • 5:30-7:30pm • 3 Locations

8th Annual Delaware Technical Community College STEM Expo

A FREE event for middle & high school students to experience DTCC programs through

student-designed activities, build connections toward STEM careers, and have fun!

Held simultaneously at three DTCC campus locations: Stanton/Newark, Dover & Georgetown.

For more details, click here.

 ……………………………………………………………

Save the Date! April 4 • 6-8pm

Colonial Schools STEAM Showcase

FREE and open to the public, Fun see-and-do event for all ages.

Includes the “Wonders of Science” demo, hands-on STEAM activities,

and little hands using microscopes, planting seeds and more.

William Penn High School, Colonial School District

 ……………………………………………………………

April 18

2022 Carothers Award

“There and Back Again: Therapies for the Treatment of Obesity & Diabetes”

Presented by Dr. Ann E. Weber of Kallyope, Inc.

Reception 5:30-6:30 pm • Dinner Served 6:30 pm • Award presentation 7:30 pm

DuPont Country Club, Wilmington DE

Must register by April 11th. To register, click here. 

 ……………………………………………………………

April 25-29

Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week 2023

Recognize, appreciate and advocate for those who work with young people

during out-of-school hours. An estimated 10.2 million children participate in afterschool

programs each year. Now more than ever is the time to promote

afterschool programs and thank their devoted staff!

 ……………………………………………………………

April 26

GM STEM Day: Come Dream with Us

Learn about how GM develops vehicles, meet influential contacts in STEM fields at GM to boost

your knowledge for highly technical jobs and the automotive industry.

Hosted by Junior Achievement of Delaware, 522 Walnut Street, Wilmington DE 19801.

For more information and to register your students, click here.

 ……………………………………………………………

May 2

National Teacher Appreciation Day

National Teacher Appreciation Day is a day to honor those incredible professionals

who create an everlasting impact on our own lives and those of our children.

For National Teachers Day activities, click here.

……………………………………………………………

July 27-28 • Applications due by April 4

City Blossoms - Regional Garden-Based Learning Summit

If you are passionate about garden-based learning and eager to build community with other orgs

and advocates in the garden-based education field, then join us at the Regional Garden-based

Learning Summit. You are encouraged to attend in teams of two with a counterpart

from another collaborating org. For more info, visit https://bit.ly/3kYdwI7

 ……………………………………………………………

Save the Date! October 13, 2023

Delaware Mathematics & STEM Equity Conferences

A powerful day of professional learning dedicated to Equity in Math and STEM.

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

Delaware STEM Council, DFSME, and FAME, Inc.

 ……………………………………………………………

Save the Date! November 9, 2023

The 9th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards Ceremony

Applications are being Accepted NOW!

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 Award, the Jon Manon STEAM Team Educator Award and more!

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

Agilent Technologies | America Chemical Society | Croda | Delmarva Power an Exelon Company

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. | 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