Earth DAY! Celebrations Abound!

In this issue, DFSME celebrates a collaborative effort between STEM educators, advocates, and leaders from across the state to recognize Earth Day 2024. We’ve gathered news and events that encompass Earth, Watershed, Climate Change, Agriculture and Environment for educators to share with their students, colleagues and friends.

Among this month's stories, we recap the fifth annual Youth Environmental Summit (YES!), that inspires and empowers Delaware high school students to protect our Earth. This is the 3rd year that I’ve attended the student-run conference, and each year I am more impressed with the curiosity students have around environmental science. DFSME's "STEM Spot" shared air quality maps to help students think about what affects The Air We Share. Students visiting our table had many engaging questions and ideas on how we can solve some of the difficult environmental issues that our communities are facing today. I look forward to continuing work with DFSME to help our educators further prepare the next generation of problem-solvers. Celebrate!

— Joseph Iannone

Sr. Manager, Process Engineering & Labor, Bloom Energy

and DFSME Energy, Watershed, Environment, and Climate Change (EWECC) Committee Lead

A capacity crowd of more than 500 high school students and 40+ school team teaches and advisors participated in the 5th annual YES! Summit on Leap Day in February.

Delaware High School Students Leap Into Action

for the Environment

Students attending the YES! Summit represented more than 34 Delaware high schools from all three Delaware counties. Held at UD’s Clayton Hall in February, the Summit was organized by student leadership guided by a team of adult advisors from the education and nonprofit arenas.

The YES! Summit featured plenary speakers including state Representative Sophie Phillips, DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, Dr. David Donohue who spoke about the impact of our diets on the planet, and Kristy Drutman of Brown Girl Green and a member of the EPA’s National Environmental Youth Advisory Council.

"This is my second year as a student leader, and it has been a very exciting one!

As a YES! workshop facilitator and an environmentalist, I was thrilled to

have learned so much more about how we, as a young generation,

can make an impact on our environment and planet going forward!"

— Ashwika Musku, Grade 11, Newark Charter School, Christina School District

More than 40 exhibitors showcased how students can become involved in various campaigns and advocacy initiatives, explore college majors in the environmental field, and learn more about agency and nonprofit initiatives in Delaware.

The Summit offered workshops with panel discussions on green careers, college pathways, greening school campuses, plastic pollution, fast fashion, food waste, coastal erosion, corporate sustainability, PFAS, EcoSchool certification, climate change, sea level rise, and environmental sciences in college.

Agency, nonprofit and corporate supporters enabled YES! to be free for all attendees.

Looking Ahead to 2025! Apply Now!

Student Leadership Application Deadline: May 24

Are you currently an 8th, 9th 10th or 11th grade student who cares deeply about the environment? If your answer is YES! then click the button below to learn more! Application deadline is May 24, 2024.

Learn More

Mountaire, which leads the chicken industry in reduced water usage, sprays clean treated wastewater to grow crops, a beneficial use project.

Mountaire Farms Chicken Production

More Sustainable than Ever Before

Chicken is the number one protein in the United States. Consumers love its nutritional value, its affordability, versatility and taste. Another reason they should love it, is for its sustainability. The environmental footprint of chicken production has decreased 50 percent since 1965. According to the National Chicken Council, it takes 58 percent less water, and 72 percent less farmland to produce the same amount of chicken.

Mountaire Farms is the nation’s fourth largest chicken company, with operations in Delaware. They are a leader in finding ways to reduce waste, and the first chicken company to utilize environmentally friendly packaging methods. No boxes have to end up in landfills.

Mountaire was among the first companies to switch from Styrofoam trays to fully-recyclable, clear plastic trays, a major shift that set them apart from their competition. And Mountaire continues to lead the industry in reduced water usage, achieving environmental impacts that are half the industry average.

“Water is a finite resource. We have worked very hard to find ways to use the least amount of water possible, and it shows. The added benefit is we have less wastewater to treat as well.”

— Jay Griffith, Vice President of Processing Operations, Mountaire

As the world population continues to grow, so does the demand for food. Mountaire Farms is committed to meeting that rising demand for food while ensuring that they do everything possible to minimize their environmental impact.

Mountaire Farms & STEM Education

Mountaire employs approximately 5,000 employees locally. Mountaire Cares charitable giving helps reinforce all the work that local nonprofits and charitable groups do through community leadership. Mountaire is committed to an improved effectiveness in Delaware’s educational system through STEM education reform and impact.

For more information about Mountaire, click here.

Earth Day 2024 in Delaware

Earth Day 2024 celebrates this year’s theme “Planet vs. Plastics” focusing on the health risks of plastics and the need to phase out all single use plastics. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) offers a variety of activities and ideas to build that future as we celebrate Earth Day throughout the month of April – and every other day!

Since 1970, Earth Day has served as a focal point for outdoor activities, volunteer efforts, and environmental education in Delaware and around the nation. DNREC encourages residents and visitors statewide to pitch in and help keep Delaware’s waterways, wetlands and landscapes clean and free of trash by participating in organized volunteer cleanups such as those focused on the Christina River Watershed, Concord Pond, Slaughter Beach and other events.

Delawareans and visitors are also encouraged to clean up neighborhoods, green spaces and waterways throughout the state on days, times and at locations of their choice, and to support Governor John Carney’s Keep DE Litter Free initiative.

DNREC Earth Day Events - April 20, 22 and 27

April 20 – Earth Day Kids Crafts at the DuPont Nature Center

April 22 – Beach Cleanup at Slaughter Beach

April 27 – Earth Day Seedling Potting at the St. Jones Reserve

Visit de.gov/earthday for more about the history of Earth Day and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s ideas and activities to celebrate it everyday.

Delaware State Parks Earth Day Events

Join Delaware State Parks in their annual celebration of Earth Day! All programs are free with paid park entry fee unless otherwise indicated. Some programs require advance registration.

Visit https://destateparks.com/earthday for more than a dozen events throughout Delaware State Parks including wetland walks, tales and trails, stream water quality and dip netting.

For news and activities, check the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DEStateParks

Crystal Nagyiski was presented the DFSME Shining Light Award on April 10th at Magnolia Middle School. Pictured L to R: Matthew Keen, Principal; Crystal Nagyiski, 8th Grade Science Teacher; DFSME Presenter Randy Guschl; and Dr. Megan Szabo, Assistant Principal.

DFSME’s April “Shining Light Award”

Honors Crystal Nagyiski, Middleschool Science Educator

This month’s DFSME Shining Light Award honors Crystal Nagyiski. Crystal specializes in teaching 8th grade Science at Magnolia Middle School, Caesar Rodney School District. She is extremely passionate about sharing her environmental background. As a part of her background and experience, she worked at Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).

Crystal is dedicated to providing the highest standards of instruction, consistently going above and beyond to create an engaging and inclusive learning environment where students thrive. She possesses the remarkable ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and relevant to students of all backgrounds and learning styles.

Crystal’s lessons inspire and foster a genuine love for Science among Magnolia Middle students, often kindling a spark in outdoor spaces. She fully believes that Science is everywhere and for everyone. She has a unique ability to form lifelong connections with students, a foundation through which she encourages students in becoming STEM leaders of the future.

Among Crystal’s educational highlights, she has been nominated Teacher of the Year for several years, and most-nominated as Influential Teacher among sports teams at Magnolia Middle.

We are pleased to recognize Crystal Nagyiski as a Superlative Educator!

Crystal Nagyiski was nominated by Sinead Ronan, Library Paraprofessional and

Delaware Paraprofessional of the Year 2024, Caesar Rodney School District.

Nominate Your Favorite Educator to be a Shining Light!

Anyone may nominate a STEM formal, informal or community Educator for the Shining Light Award. Honorees receive an award, a $100 gift card and a mini heavy-duty mag flashlight.

For more details, go to dfsme.org/shining-light-award

Email completed form to drses48@aol.com or Michelle.Kutch@bsd.k12.de.us.

Nomination Form

Delaware Women & Girls in STEM Day

At the Proclamation Signing with Gov. John Carney and Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long naming March 24 as Delaware Women & Girls in STEM Day. Million Women Mentors Delaware (MWM-DE) marked the occasion by announcing the ten 2024 Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM honorees. This annual recognition celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of Delaware women in STEM, as well as illuminating the many STEM career pathways for Delaware girls.

This Month’s Outstanding Delaware Woman in STEM

Dr. Alexa Dembek, DuPont's Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, is a born problem-solver, innovator, and education advocate. She leads business, innovation, and sustainability strategies, while building enduring partnerships with customers and strategic partners. She is a passionate champion of talent development and mentorship for the next generation of innovators.

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.

Delaware PAEMST finalists (L to R): Brittney Campbell, Karen Eller, Kerry Haley, and Carlos Pesquera.

2024 Delaware PAEMST Finalists Announced

for STEM Recognition

The Delaware Department of Education has named four Delaware teachers as state finalists for the 2024 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. Finalists’ applications will now move forward to the national level for final selection of the 2024 PAEMST National Awardees.

The 2024 Delaware State Finalists:

Brittney Campbell | Mathematics | Lake Forest South Elementary School, Lake Forest School District

Karen Eller | Science | The Bancroft School, Christina School District

Kerry Haley | Mathematics | Forwood Elementary School, Brandywine School District

Carlos Pesquera | Mathematics | H.O. Brittingham Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District

The goal of the PAEMST award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching (including technology, engineering and computer science) in addition to honoring individual achievement… >>READ MORE

Two Students will Represent Delaware at National Science Camp

Arya Gupta (left), a junior at Red Clay Consolidated School District’s Charter School of Wilmington, and Kati Li (right), a senior at Newark Charter School, will represent Delaware at the 61st National Youth Science Camp when they attend this summer from June 29 to July 20 in West Virginia.

Gupta is the co-founder of International Genetically Engineered Machine Team, which will be competing at the 2024 Grand Jamboree in Paris. Gupta is the co-founder of Women’s Empowerment Club and a student leader in the Youth Environmental Club. She also is a member of the Charter School of Wilmington Swim team and YMCA junior nationals swim team.

Li, a National Merit Scholarship finalist, has volunteered since 2020 for Delaware Diagnostics Lab. She was a paid summer chemical engineering intern at the University of Delaware. She has held several leadership positions such as vice president and outreach director of Apollo: Youth in Medicine, state secretary and state treasurer of Delaware Technology Student Association, and Multicultural Club president… >>READ MORE

Appoquinimink “STEM Showcase” at Odessa High School

On March 23rd, the torrential rainstorm did not keep the 2,000+ students, parents, teachers, administrators and business volunteers from attending Appoquinimink School District’s “STEM Showcase” at Odessa High School. This was the second annual event encompassing all Appoquinimink elementary schools and early childhood centers’ science and STEM fairs in a single venue.

Visitors and judges engaged with students about their science exhibits and toured displays. Shawn Fausey, Appoquinimink chemistry teacher and a few AP Chem students put on a chemistry show for the crowd. The event also included K-5 STEM challenges and activities for all students.

Smithsonian Science’s Computational Thinking Free Webinar:

Protecting Whales

Protecting Whales is a FREE elementary STEM+CT instructional unit developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center with funding from the US Department of Defense STEM office.

As part of the Smithsonian Science for Computational Thinking series, it is designed to address a bundle of science, engineering, and computational thinking standards from Next Generation Science Standards, the Computer Science Teachers Association Standards, and the ISTE Student Standards.

Mark your calendar!

April 23 - 4pm-5:30pm

To Register for the Webinar through Zoom, click here.

To download the flyer, click here.

Building Math Leadership Capacity Statewide

Dismantling Inequity in Mathematics Education DIME 2.0 Series

Delaware school and district administrators and their math leadership teams are invited to join us for the DIME 2.0 virtual series. DIME is designed to support district and school-based administrators in their efforts to identify, disrupt, and address long-standing barriers to academic success in mathematics.

Delaware Math Coalition’s instructional vision for students in Delaware is that every student will leave school ready for success in college, career, and life.

For mathematics, the vision is that all students can competently and flexibly use mathematical ideas to think critically and solve problems through various life experiences. For this vision to be achieved, school and system leaders must create effective and equitable mathematics systems… >>READ MORE

2024 Virtual Session Dates

April 18, April 30, May 14, and May 30

9am-10:30am

Click Here to Learn More and to Register

April 22

Earth Day • Delaware State Parks

For more than a dozen events throughout Delaware State Parks including

wetland walks, tales and trails, stream water quality and dip netting, click here.

For more about the history of Earth Day and

DNREC activities to celebrate it everyday, click here.

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April 22-26

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!

To access Delaware Afterschool Network Facebook, click here.

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April 29 • 9am-1pm

National Teacher Appreciation Day

STEM Goes Red Delaware

American Heart Association strives to open doors for girls to bring them into

health sciences careers and improve opportunities for underserved girls in Delaware.

Delaware Tech Terry Campus, Del-One Conference Center

100 Campus Drive, Dover DE 19904

For more information, click here.

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May 6-10

National Teacher Appreciation Week

National Teacher Appreciation Week honors those incredible professionals

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

For 2024 Teacher Appreciation Week Celebration ideas, click here.

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Save the Date! May 16 • 6:30pm

Science Night at the Ball Park