Massachusetts adds funding to STEM education programs

education

Massachusetts is providing more funding for its science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education centers. Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray has announced $140,000 in competitive grants to enhance education initiatives for three Regional STEM Networks in Massachusetts. Among the state’s seven Regional STEM Networks, the three awards supported by the state’s STEM Pipeline Fund include $39,780 to the Pioneer Valley STEM Network, $57,037 to the Boston STEM Network, and $43,183 to the Northeast STEM Network. The Boston STEM Network’s proposal was also submitted in partnership with the MetroWest, Northeast and Central STEM Networks.

During yesterday’s STEM Advisory Council meeting, Lieutenant Governor Murray also announced that Massachusetts has been selected as a leading state and partner in working towards increasing STEM student achievement and the number of trained educators in STEM. Massachusetts will work with 100Kin10, an organization focused on President Barack Obama’s goal of providing 100,000 new, excellent STEM teachers over 10 years as outlined in his 2011 State of the Union.

Massachusetts is among the organizations accepted as 100Kin10 partners based on its innovation and boldness of commitment towards expanding, improving and retaining the best of the nation’s STEM teaching force. The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council will work with the state’s Executive Office of Education to update the Massachusetts STEM Plan to strengthen educator development and preparation as part of the 100Kin10 initiative.

For these awarded grants, the three Regional STEM Networks will specifically support Out-of-School and After School projects, a current initiative that will accompany the existing work of all seven Regional STEM Networks, 12 state endorsed @Scale Projects, and ongoing public awareness efforts. Criteria for the selection of each proposal was also based on the high level of network collaboration, project replication and scalable approach, alignment with other statewide initiatives, focus on female or underrepresented minorities, and an effective use of data.

“By partnering with our Regional STEM Networks, we will boost community and after school programs that will engage students in STEM and help Massachusetts stay competitive as we prepare and train the next generation of students in 21st century job skills,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray, Chair of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.