|
STEM Workforce: A Work in Motion
Dear Educators and Community, the past few years have brought unprecedented changes to workforce development in STEM. The state of the STEM workforce is evolving at an incredible speed, transforming the way we are preparing students for careers and jobs.
DFSME’s hard work in Delaware continues! Our Advocacy to Action is a catalyst for change for a world-class STEM presence in our state’s education system, with areas of concentrated effort in teacher recruiting, retention and rewards. We acknowledge that awards and recognition are an important component of the equation, as well as our STEM events and gatherings, small and large grants, and our STEM ecosystem network with like-minded and passionate people.
Thank you for all you do for EVERY student in Delaware!
Randy Guschl, Executive Director
Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education
We hope you enjoy this Edition!
| |
|
The 9th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards:
“Prioritizing STEM in the First State”
The 9th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards ceremony was hosted live at Buena Vista Country Estate in New Castle, Delaware on Nov. 9th. Throughout the evening, six awards with accompanying unrestricted cash prizes were presented to individuals and teams of educators, from the elementary through high school levels, for their accomplishments in STEM education.
“The Delaware STEM Educator Awards celebrates the work of our STEM educators,
and also sharing their stories. Too often the great things happening in our schools
don’t get the recognition they deserve. So, to our celebrated educators I say,
our community needs to hear your stories.”
— Dr. Mark Holodick, Delaware Secretary of Education
Throughout the evening, many of Delaware’s foremost elected representatives made appearances virtually to draw attention to the profound achievements and tireless work of the teachers being recognized. State officials included Governor John Carney, Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester.
2023 Honorees
The 2023 Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners
1st Place KRISTA BIVENS | Smyrna School District
Certified Educators Award, Elementary School Level
1st Place SARAH LEONARD | Appoquinimink School District
Certified Educators Award, Middle School Level
2nd Place TOMMIE POLITE | Seaford School District
Certified Educators Award, Middle School Level
1st Place SHARON BURKE | Caesar Rodney High School
Certified Educators Award, High School Level
KELLY TOWNSEND, SARAH SMITH & RAYMOND HELIE | Padua Academy
Community Educator STEM Award, High School Level
TODD KLAWINSKI | Caesar Rodney School District
Community STEM Educator Award, High School Level
PADUA ACADEMY
Jon Manon STEAM Team Educators Award
| |
Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, an enduring supporter of the DFSME mission, Honorary Chair of Million Women Mentors - Delaware (MWM-DE) and Co-Honorary Chair of National MWM, offered closing remarks:
"STEM skills prepare us for a lifetime of success…It is on us to build up tomorrow's STEM workforce so that Delaware can be at the forefront of innovation in our country.”
The awards celebration was made possible by the evening’s keynote sponsors Ashland and DuPont, as well as supporting sponsors Agilent, LabWare, Mountaire and Walmart.
To read the full article by Jan Castro, click here.
| Odyssey Charter School is a finalist for the Yass Award. Photo courtesy Odyssey Charter School | |
Odyssey Charter School Wins Special Recognition
Wilmington's Odyssey Charter School brought home a significant honor in a national competition - as well as a financial reward.
The Center for Education Reform recognizes sustainable and transformational approaches to education with its Yass Prize. This week, Odyssey was named a finalist for the prize, and is the winner of a $500,000 award. According to the Center's CEO Jeanne Allen, they look for initiatives outside of the cookie-cutter approach to education innovation. "We are just seeking to make sure students receive an education that truly is sustainable, transformational and outstanding," Allen said.
According to Odyssey Charter School Head of School Elias Pappas, "the sustainable piece is how are we to have a model that will continue to persist, and continue to increase its impact. We have very innovative ways in our school that we're able to do that. We also teach our kids to become advocates for themselves, for the State of Delaware, for their local communities and for Odyssey Charter School."
Pappas received the news and the recognition as the school was preparing for the holiday break, but is looking forward to celebrating the honor with staff, teachers and students. "This is a huge impact for us, because it's going to allow us to build out our next building and address the 1,000-plus families who are on our wait list."
To read the full WDEL story and watch the YouTube video, click here.
|  | 15 Delaware Teachers Develop Experiential Curricula: “Bringing the Amazon Home” | |
A cohort of 15 Delaware teachers has developed interdisciplinary curricula, including participating in field-based experiential learning in the Peruvian Amazon, in partnerships with the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware and the Maijuna Community of Sucusari, Peru.
Through the Aceer Foundation and funded by National Geographic, the Conservation Learning Web is a bold, innovative educational framework of experiential learning-into-learning ecosystem. Each curriculum is accompanied by multimedia learning materials that can be implemented by teachers worldwide. Curricula span the breadth of K-12 education, including environmental sciences, sociology, math, art, and more.
The Amazon Rainforest Measures Up, Joseph Parrett, Kindergarten
Why Forests Matter, Merry Ostheimer, 2nd Grade
Nature & Youth Nurturing Each Other, Cynthia Papettas, 2nd Grade
Protecting & Conserving the World’s Environment, Christine Tapert, 2nd - 4th Grades
Turning Windows Into Mirrors, David Ostheimer, Elementary School
People & Ecosystems: A Mutual Dependency, Brooklynn Dodd, 5th Grade
Let Me Live!, Holly Brykk, Middle School Spanish
Honey Bees – The Key To A Sustainable Future, Ashley Carter, Middle School
Surviving A Changing Ecosystem, Monica Cohen, High School Science
Ecosystem Engineers & Keystone Species, Mike Doody, High School Science
How Traditional & Modern Medicine Intersect, Barbara Prillaman, High School
Cynthia Papettas, middle school teacher, Delaware, (inset photo above) said, “Teachers can really benefit from sharing with their students the wonderment of plants and how diverse their usage can be – food from their fruit, and furniture from their dried leaves. Learning about the process of harvesting and using chambira palm can be super engaging, and is a great way to share culture with students.”
Bringing the Amazon Home is supported by institutional partnerships with FECONAMAI, the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware, The Delaware Teachers Institute, The Longwood Foundation, Delaware Department of Education, and Stroud Water Research Center, among others.
For access to this amazing Aceer Foundation collection of learning units, click here.
To read more about Aceer Foundation’s Experiential Education approach, click here.
|
|
DFSME Executive Director Randy Guschl (right) presented the Shining Light Award to Lars Jensen (center), Chemistry teacher at William Penn High School. Lars was nominated by Nicholas Baker (left), Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, Colonial School District. | |
|
DFSME’s December “Shining Light Award”
Honors Lars Jensen, Science Educator
| |
This month’s DFSME Shining Light Award honors Lars Jensen, science teacher at William Penn High School, Colonial School District. Lars has been a strong advocate for STEM education since beginning his career at William Penn HS, teaching courses in Chemistry and AP Chemistry and coaching science leaders within the secondary department. He has also been an early adopter of the Ihub Chemistry program.
Lars actively engages students to participate in the Annual Colonial STEAM Showcase where he facilitates a large group performance – a very big hit with young scholars. Lars continually utilizes Penn’s planetarium to connect astronomy principles within his science program. Additionally, he offers professional learning with colleagues on Penn’s planetarium program to ensure their students have a memorable science learning experience.
Lars has been a consistent nominee for Delaware Teacher of the Year. He is the Lead Teacher in the science department and a facilitator of Professional Development programs.
Lars is a Colonial resident and grew up attending Colonial schools. For eight years he has found great joy from teaching alongside the teachers that inspired him to become an educator.
We are pleased to recognize Lars Jensen as a superlative educator!
Lars Jensen was nominated by Nicholas Baker, Ed.D,
Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, Colonial School District
|
|
|
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
| |
|
Interested in Biotech?
Biotech Career Paths in Delaware
| |
Biotech is one of Delaware's biggest industries, and it continues to grow. Short for biological technology, biotech is the technology of living things. It includes medical technology like pharmaceuticals and gene editing; environmental technology such as green energy; and agricultural technology including sustainable farming practices.
If your students want a career where they help people and the environment, biotech is an industry that focuses on both. And there is a wide range of job settings, from wet labs to farms.
Delaware has long been a science hub as the home of DuPont, a chemical company that has a strong involvement in such biotech development as energy generation, polymers and food. Other biotech companies in Delaware include DuPont spinoff Chemours, Agilent, Incyte, Prelude Therapeutics, CorriXR Therapeutics and Versogen, to name a few.
“Biotech IS the future of Delaware. From biotech startups and agricultural biotech to research organizations supporting innovation in pharmaceuticals, biomaterials
and catalyst industries, Delaware’s vibrant science economy is growing.”
— Delaware Prosperity Partnership, Delaware’s Economic Development Agency
Delaware High School Biotech Pathways
Delaware public high schools offer Pathways, a program that combines academics with workforce development for all students in a range of areas, including Biotech.
To read the full article by Technical.ly along with a comprehensive list of Delaware Biotech Pathway options, click here.
| | |
|
29th Annual NCC Science Fair
Submission Deadline - February 9
The 29th Annual NCC Science Fair is slated for March 6, 2024, hosted by Delaware Tech, Stanton Campus. Get started with your students and their projects now!
New Castle County students in grades 6-12 are eligible to participate in this challenging yet rewarding experience. Participants can submit an individual or team project (up to three persons).
Students compete at their grade level and will be judged by a diverse panel of experts. Judges will evaluate the projects and may question students about how they arrived at their scientific conclusions.
Winners are presented monetary awards in each category and are eligible to compete in the Delaware Valley Science Fair hosted by Drexel University in April 2024. Finalists of the Delaware Valley Science Fair will elevate to the International Science and Engineering Fair to be held May 2024.
To download the pdf with details, click here.
For more information, click here.
To register, click here.
|
|
 | |
Sussex County Science Fair • Register Your Projects Now!
March 3-4 at Delaware Tech, Owens Campus
The Sussex County Science Fair offers the opportunity for your students to participate in the 2024 Sussex County Science Fair. The benefits of participation are multiple.:
• Science fair investigation reinforces the current state science standards while also enhancing skills in language arts, math, and communication.
• Carrying out a long-term project helps develop organizational skills, prepare for college and the workplace; and presents an opportunity to enhance the academic resume.
• Science fair participation provides an opportunity to receive prizes and recognition both monetary and academic.
2024 Sussex County Science Fair Important Dates:
January 11
Submit the Sussex County Science Fair entry form 2024 for all who plan to participate. Mail forms to P.O. Box 570 Nassau, DE 19969.
February 8
Submit all ISEF Forms for participating projects. Please check all submitted forms for completeness including any and all required signatures before submitting.
March 3
Projects will be set up at Del Tech Owens Campus in Georgetown 1pm-4pm.
March 4
Projects will be judged. Students should arrive by 10am to meet with the judges. Lunch will be served at 11:30am. Awards will be distributed at a ceremony beginning at 12:45pm and ending by 2pm.
April 2-4
Delaware Valley Science Fair
For further information and details, click here.
| |
|
Save the Date! FREE STEM Event
Wednesday, March 20 • 5:30pm – 7:00pm
| |
Join us for an event for middle and high school students to experience Delaware Tech programs through student-designed activities, build connections toward STEM careers, and have fun!
- Interactive hands-on activities in engineering, chemistry, biotechnology, computer science, physics and mathematics (will vary by campus)
- Tours of energy and engineering facilities
- Drawings for door prizes
The STEM Expo will be held at three campus locations simultaneously:
DOVER
Education Technology Building, Del-One Conference Center, 100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE
For more information, contact Stephanie Lee.
GEORGETOWN
Jason Technology Center Gymnasium, 21179 College Drive, Georgetown, DE
For more information, contact Joe Rineer.
NEWARK
Stanton Gymnasium, 400 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark DE
For more information, contact Tia Gordon (Stanton) or Julia Underwood (Wilmington).
For Event details, click here.
| |
|
December’s 2023 Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honoree
Delaware’s (Un)Hidden Figures
At the Proclamation Signing on March 28, Million Women Mentors Delaware (MWM-DE) marked the occasion by announcing the 2023 Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM honorees. This annual recognition celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of these Delaware women in STEM, as well as illuminate the many STEM career paths for Delaware girls. Each month we highlight an Honoree.
| |
Erin Kennedy is an Analytical Chemist at DuPont. She is a dedicated and passionate volunteer and mentor for the Delaware Chapter of the American Chemical Society and MOE Robotics.
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.
| |
|
Million Women Mentors Call for Nominations 2024!
Deadline for Submissions is Feb. 29, 2024
Please nominate a mentor, colleague or other notable female scientist, researcher, technologist, or engineer for recognition by Million Women Mentors - Delaware. Nominees should have ties to Delaware by birth, education or career, and may be living or deceased.
We will select 10 honorees for recognition during our celebration of Delaware Women & Girls STEM Day in March at Legislative Hall in Dover. Date to be announced.
For questions, please contact us at mwm.dfsme@gmail.com.
| | |
|
Career and Technical Education Resources
Discovery Ed
Curious how you can support STEM and Career and Technical Education with Discovery Education resources? Here is a wonderful resource broken down into categories based on student characteristics. You will be introduced to several Discovery Education channels that will bring STEM to life.
For more information or questions, please email Andrea Gardner at agardner@discoveryed.com.
For more information on Discovery Education’s Learning Channels, click here.
|
|
|
Deadline February 9 • Event: March 6, 2024
The 29th Annual New Castle County Science Fair
Hosted by Delaware Technical Community College, Stanton Campus.
Get started with your students and get your projects going now!
To download a pdf with project details, click here.
……………………………………………………………
Register Your Project Now! • Event: March 3-4, 2024
Sussex County Science Fair
To download a registration form, click here.
For more information, click here.
……………………………………………………………
Save the Date! March 2 • 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Yes! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit 2024
FREE! For Delaware high school students and educators who are advisors to school teams.
Students explore the most pressing state, national and global environmental issues
and engage in steps they can take on campus and beyond.
Includes lunch and morning snack.
Clayton Hall, University of Delaware, 100 David Hollowell Drive, Newark, DE 19716
For more information, click here.
……………………………………………………………
Save the Date! March 18-19, 2024
DETSA State Leadership & Contests – Live Event
Registration closes Sunday, January 28, 2024
This annual live two-day event brings together the brightest young minds in Delaware to
showcase their talents, leadership skills, and commitment to leadership and innovation within
STEM. Exciting activities, competitive events, workshops, keynote speakers, and networking
opportunities for students, advisors, and industry professionals.
Clayton Hall, University of Delaware, 100 David Hollowell Drive, Newark, DE 19716
For registration questions, contact Mike Fitzgerald at Mike.Fitzgerald@doe.k12.de.us
or Lindsey Klemash at lklemash@detsa.org
……………………………………………………………
Save the Date! • March 20, 2024 • 5:30-7:00 PM
9th Annual Delaware Tech STEM Expo 2024
Join us for an event for middle and high school students to experience
Delaware Tech programs through student-designed activities,
build connections toward STEM careers, and have fun!
Held at 3 Campus locations simultaneously: Dover, Georgetown, Newark
For more details, click here.
……………………………………………………………
Save the Date! April 16, 2024
2024 Delaware Pathways Conference
The conference will explore, feature, and celebrate the progress of our statewide career pathways system that values equity, and 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 advance career readiness.
Delaware Tech, Terry Campus, Dover
For questions or additional information, contact Helana Rodriguez at hrodriguez@dscc.com
| |
Our Sponsors & Supporters | |
DFSME 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
Email: anne.dfsme@gmail.com
www.dfsme.org
| |
|
©2023 Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education
501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.
| | | | |
