DC STEM Network to Share $1-Million Award in STEM Coalition Challenge
Washington, D.C. –The DC STEM Network is one of eight groups to win the US2020’s 2018 STEM Coalition Challenge. The Challenge was a nationwide competition for communities toincrease hands-on STEM mentoring and maker-centered learning to underrepresented students. The winners were announced at the Bay Area Maker Faire in San Mateo, CA, last week. The DC STEM Network will receive a share of a $1 million award which will support further innovative, STEM-based learning for Washington, DC students.
The Network was selected from 92 applications from 35 states, representing more than 1,800 nonprofits, companies, school districts, and local government partners. The Network is a collaboration between the Carnegie Science’s education arm, the Carnegie Academy for Science Education (CASE), and the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). The Network's mission is to unite community partners in a sustainable collective effort to design, guide, and advocate for transformative STEM learning opportunities for all DC students.
Washington, DC is a hub for STEM jobs -- behind only Silicon Valley in the number of STEM-related employment opportunities. The core of the Network’s mission is preparing DC students to fill those jobs. In addition to managing the annual DC STEM Fair, the DC STEM Network guides students through hands-on STEM and maker programs as well as summer STEM internships.
Winners were selected based on factors including their potential for impact; approach to partnership building; creative engagement strategies; and sustainability planning. All eight winners will share the $1 million prize for financial support, consulting, and staff funding for two years.
“The DC STEM Network represents the very best of organizations dedicated to bringing STEM to students who might otherwise not have access and insight into how STEM can positively shape their futures,” said Esra Ozer, President of Arconic Foundation, a sponsor of the STEM Coalition Challenge. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact winning the STEM Coalition Challenge will have on the DC STEM Network over the next several years.”
Marlena Jones, Director of the DC STEM Network remarked, “The DC STEM Network is thrilled to join this cohort of outstanding STEM partners to increase access to making and mentoring in the District of Columbia.”
Top Image Caption: Middle school student discusses her project with judges at the DC STEM Fair on March 17. It is among the many activities that the DC STEM Network supports. Images courtesy of Jessica Kerpez, CASE
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In addition to Eric and Wendy Schmidt and Arconic Foundation, US2020’s work is supported by national investments from Amgen, Chevron, Discovery Communications, Genentech, Fidelity Investments, Tata Consultancy Services, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (osse.dc.gov) serves as the state education agency for the District of Columbia and works with closely with the District's 64 local education agencies to raise the quality of education for all DC residents.
DC STEM Network The DC STEM Network, a program of the Carnegie Institution for Science, unites community partners to help inspire and prepare all DC youth to succeed, lead, and innovate in STEM fields and beyond. The Network connects educators, industry experts, community organizations, and colleges to support STEM learning across the city. Visit www.dcstemnetwork.org for more information.
About US2020 US2020, a division of Citizen Schools is working to dramatically scale the number of STEM professionals mentoring and teaching students through hands-on projects with a focus on serving underrepresented communities, especially girls, underrepresented minorities, and low-income children. Through partnerships at the national level and coalitions at the local level, US2020 has built a network of more than 350 organizations in 13 cities actively working to scale the STEM mentoring field, to align the field on common metrics, and to advance a focus on quality. Learn more at www.us2020.org.
About Citizen Schools Citizen Schools is a national nonprofit organization that partners with middle schools to expand the learning day for children in low-income communities. Citizen Schools mobilizes a team of AmeriCorps educators and volunteer “Citizen Teachers” to teach real-world learning projects and provide academic support, in order to help all students discover and achieve their dreams. Learn more at www.citizenschools.org.