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From Smithsonian Science Education Center:

Apply to attend the Smithsonian Science Education Center STEM Education Summit to Increase Diversity Within the STEM Teacher Workforce (applicants who are selected will receive fully-sponsored access to the summit and 1 year of mentor support at no cost). Attend an information session on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 7pm-8pm EST | Register Here or Friday, December 11, 2020, Office Hours, at 9am - 10am EST | Register Here. See the flyer attached.

To confront the underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teaching and leadership, the Smithsonian Science Education Center is hosting our annual STEM Education Summit February 20th- 27th, 2021, as a virtual experience.  This summit is the fifth of its kind to be offered by Smithsonian and the first to be held virtually. 

Research shows that by increasing the diversity of the STEM teacher workforce, students from underrepresented populations are more likely to become interested in STEM and ultimately the career opportunities available to them.

At the STEM Education Summit, 20 teams of educators from diverse regions across the nation embrace their roles as change agents to create plans for attracting and retaining STEM teachers from underrepresented populations in their schools or districts. Selected teams are matched with a mentor who is carefully selected to fit the unique composition and needs of their team. 

Prior to the STEM Education Summit, teams will get acquainted with their mentors as they prepare themselves for the Summit. During the Summit, teams continue to work with their mentor to develop a logic model to address a challenge in attracting and retaining teachers from underrepresented populations into their teaching workforce. Following the Summit, teams are supported by mentors to implement the action plans described in their logic model in the subsequent school year.

Apply for the 2021 STEM Education Summit today!  https://www.ssec.si.edu/event/stem-education-summit-building-coalition-attracting-and-retaining-diverse-stem-teaching

This work is made possible by an advisory committee composed of education thought leaders including experts from PK–12 and postsecondary education, minority-serving institutions (MSIs) and nonprofits collectively working to build a coalition to attract and retain STEM teachers from underrepresented groups resulting in 30,000 new and existing teachers by 2030. More information is available at https://ssec.si.edu/event/stem-education-summit.

About the Smithsonian Science Education Center

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is transforming K–12 Education Through Science in collaboration with communities across the globe. SSEC promotes authentic, interactive, inquiry-based K–12 STEM teaching and learning; ensures diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion in K–12 STEM education; advances STEM education for sustainable development; and transforms the research and collections of the Smithsonian into meaningful content for youth. SSEC achieves its goals by developing exemplary curriculum materials and digital resources, supporting the professional growth of K–12 teachers and school leaders and conducting outreach programs through LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform) to help schools, school districts, state education agencies and ministries of education throughout the world implement inquiry-based science education programs. The SSEC is nationally and internationally recognized for the quality of its programs and its impact on K–12 STEM education.

About the Sponsor

Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 16,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future. As such, Shell aims to cut the Net Carbon Footprint of the energy products they sell by around half by 2050. In addition, by 2030, they have ambitious plans to provide a reliable electricity supply to 100 million people in the developing world who do not have this today.

Be the catalyst of change in your school or district and apply for the STEM Education Summit today! https://www.ssec.si.edu/event/stem-education-summit-building-coalition-attracting-and-retaining-diverse-stem-teaching

Please send inquiries to Sherrell Lewis at lewissm@si.edu.

Best,

Carol

Dr. Carol O’Donnell

Director, Smithsonian Science Education Center

Smithsonian Institution

901 D Street SW, Suite 704-B, MRC 952

Washington, DC 20024

Cell: 202-322-5855

Web: http://ScienceEducation.si.edu

TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7NPtCOPAZ4