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# Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Computer Science 

# Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Computer Science 

                                    -        
Today, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) will host the **YOU Belong in STEM** National Coordinating Conference in Washington, D.C. as a key initiative for the Biden-Harris Administration. The Raise the Bar: STEM Excellence for All Students initiative is designed to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education nationwide. This new Biden-Harris Administration initiative will help implement and scale equitable, high-quality STEM education for all students from PreK to higher education—regardless of background— to ensure their 21st century career readiness and global competitiveness. 

“Research shows how a sense of belonging in rich and rigorous classrooms is directly correlated to students’ long-term academic success. Moreover, the Department’s Civil Rights Data Collection continues to demonstrate that students of color and students with disabilities are disproportionately excluded from learning opportunities in STEM,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten. “Today, we are saying unequivocally to all students and educators that they belong in STEM and that they deserve to have rigorous and relevant educational experiences that inspire and empower them to reach their full potential as productive, contributing members of our nation’s workforce.”

In support of the initiative and its goals, the Department has: 
- Published a  Dear Colleague Letter  to state and district leaders outlining how federal education funds can be used to enhance STEM teaching and learning.  
- Announced a partnership with  Beyond100K  through an MOU. Beyond100K will partner with ED to identify the key challenges regarding the supply and demand of STEM teachers at the state and local levels. Additionally, Beyond100K will co-sponsor a series of national communities of practices to support states and school districts in developing and implementing scalable solutions to the STEM educator shortage and improve equitable access to high-quality STEM instruction for marginalized students.  
- Additionally, over 90 public and private sector organizations from across the country have made specific commitments to enhance STEM education. These commitments range from local grassroots efforts to initiatives that are national in scope.  (see the list of organizations that made commitments in the past 4 weeks below)
Organizational Commitments to Support YOU Belong in STEM
The U.S. Department of Education invited STEM education entities to make bold commitment(s) to advance STEM education in America. We encourage you to consider the following parameters in developing your commitment:
- Equity & Belonging : How does our work support ecosystems to cultivate rigorous, culturally relevant, and joyful STEM classrooms with a focus on belonging that meets the needs of underrepresented students and educators?
- Measurable Impact:  How will we know and track the number of stakeholders who will be impacted by this commitment, including states, districts, schools, educators and students?
- Outcome-Oriented:  How are we changing and improving the experiences of students and educators because of our work?
- Force Multiplier:  How will our commitment advance impact across the STEM ecosystem?
- Transparent:  How do we plan to achieve the outcomes and why do we think our approach will work?
Initial Organizational Commitments Supporting You Belong in STEM
In just three weeks, over 90 organizations and even individual educators from across the country have come forward to offer specific commitments to enhance STEM education for all. These commitments range from local grassroots efforts to initiatives that are national in scope. Those interested in joining this movement may submit a commitment here by December 31, 2022. 
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship ProgramAmerican Federation of TeachersAmerican Institute of MathematicsAmerican University Game CenterAssociation of Science and Technology CentersBattelle/STEMxBeyond100KBlack Rocket ProductionsBreakthrough CollaborativeBrightmoor Urban Training LLCBrightSpark, Inc.Brown Toy BoxBrownSTEMCalifornia State University, Office of the ChancellorCarnegie Corporation of New YorkCenter for Energy Workforce DevelopmentCenter for Family Math at NAFSCECenter of Science and Industry (COSI)Challenger CenterChicago Public Schools - Pershing Magnet SchoolCode.orgCodeVCommunity Resources for ScienceComputer Science Teachers AssociationData Science 4 EveryoneDiscoverEEast Syracuse Minoa CSD STEM Learning EcoystemEdGE @ TERCEducate MaineEnCorps, Inc.FULL STEAM AHEAD LLC TNGGUSDHispanics for STEM IDRA & Lead of the Alamo STEM EcosystemIntel ArizonaInternational Technology and Engineering Educators AssociationIntrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum ISS National Laboratory JASON Learning KC STEM AllianceKids' Chemical Solutions Learning BladeLG Technical Services MDCPS/ TeachforAmericaMeharry School of Applied Computational SciencesMMSA/ Maine Mathematics and Science AllianceMSD of MartinsvilleNational Children's Museum National Girls Collaborative ProjectNational Network of State Teachers of the YearNational Science Teaching AssociationNational Education AssociationNew Jersey Tutoring Corps IncNew York Hall of ScienceNI (formerly National Instruments)Niswonger Foundation / STEM.LDNorth Mason School DistrictNortheast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub, Inc. Ohio Afterschool NetworkOld Forge Elementary SchoolOut TeachOverdeck Family FoundationPartnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR)Pennsylvania Statewide STEM EcosystemPhiladelphia Education Fund/Philadelphia STEM EcosystemPS ScienceS2TEM Centers SC/South Carolina Coalition of Mathematics and ScienceSAE FoundationScience is ElementarySHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers)Smithsonian Science Education Center, Smithsonian InstitutionSociety of Women EngineersSourcewell South Jersey STEM Innovation & PartnershipSTEM Next Opportunity FundSTEMpressarial INC.STEMSSTEMS4Girls, Inc. StudentTagpros Children InternationalTechbridge Girls Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyThe LEGO GroupThe New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network (NMOST)The University of Texas at Austin/ Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC)The UTeach Institute at The University of Texas at AustinU.S. DOE Office of Elementary and Secondary EducationUnity Technologies University of HoustonUSD 457 and Kansas State Department of EducationU.S. Patent and Trademark OfficeWyoming Afterschool Alliance365 Productions IncTable of  Contents
BackgroundDepartment Offices that Support STEMExamples of the  Department's discretionary grants that can support STEMGrant  Applicant ResourcesCall for Peer ReviewersAmerica's Strategy for STEM EducationSecretary's STEM PriorityU.S. Department of Education STEM NewsletterArchived STEM NewslettersSTEM Education BriefingsUpcoming STEM BriefingsArchived STEM BriefingsResourcesOther Communications ToolsOther Federal Agency STEM WebsitesDepartment STEM Contacts
Background
In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. These are the kinds of skills that students develop in science, technology, engineering, and math, including computer science—disciplines collectively known as STEM/CS. If we want a nation where our future leaders, neighbors, and workers can understand and solve some of the complex challenges of today and tomorrow, and to meet the demands of the dynamic and evolving workforce, building students' skills, content knowledge, and literacy in STEM fields is essential. We must also make sure that, no matter where children live, they have access to quality learning environments. A child's zip code should not determine their STEM literacy and educational options.
Department Offices that Support STEM
Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development (OPEPD)  Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE)  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)  Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)  Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE)  Office of Non-Public Education (ONPE)  Office of Educational Technology (OET)  Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA)  Institute of Educational Sciences (IES)White House Initiatives  Federal Student Aid (FSA)  Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO)
Examples of the Department's discretionary grants that can support STEM
Below are investments made in FY 2020:
- $3.6      million for the  Alaska Native Education Equity Program
- $300,000      for  Braille training (rehabilitation services      demonstrations and training)
- $5.1      million for the  College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)
- $5      million for the  Comprehensive Centers Program
- $185 million for the  Education Innovation and Research Program (EIR)  (awarded in early FY 2021)
- $124.7      million for  Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for      Undergraduate Programs (Partnership Grants) (GEAR-UP)
- $23      million for  Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need
- $25      million for  Innovative Approaches to Literacy
- $5.7      million for the  Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students      Education Program
- $900,000      for  Migrant Education Consortium Incentive Grants (CIG)
- $29      million for the  Native Hawaiian Education Program
- $12.6      million for the  Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program      (MSEIP)
- $1.4      million for the  Perkins Innovation & Modernization Grant Program
- $300,000      for  Strengthening Asian American and Native American      Pacific Islander Serving Institutions  (AANAPISI)
- $2.3      million for  Strengthening Native American Nontribal Serving      Institutions  (NASNTI)
- $1.5      million to provide special education programs in educational technology,      media, and materials for students with disabilities via a cooperative      agreement with the Center on Early STEM Learning for Young Children
- $9.3      million to provide  special education programs educational technology,      media, and materials for individuals with disabilities  via      Stepping Up
- $151.2      million for  Federal TRIO Programs 
- $73.7      million for  Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED)
- $49.4      million for the  Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP)
- $28.2      million for  Education Research Grants Programs
- $1.5      million for the  Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad      Program
- $4.3      million for the  Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR)      Program
- $11.1      million for the  Special Education Research Grants Program
- $6.3      million for  Research Training in the Education Sciences
- $2.6      million for  Research Training in Special Education
- STEM Investment Summary FY2018-2020

You can search for open discretionary grant opportunities or reach out to the Department's STEM contacts noted below. The Forecast of Funding Opportunities lists virtually all Department discretionary grant programs for FY 2021.
Grant Applicant Resources
The Department published in spring 2020 two new grant applicant resources. These resources were developed to (1) provide an overview of the discretionary (or competitive) grants application process and (2) offer more details intended to be used by prospective applicants, including new potential grantees.  These support one of the Secretary's new administrative priorities on New Potential Grantees that was published in March 2020.  They can also be found under the "Other Grant Information" on the ED's Grants webpage.
Call for Peer Reviewers
The Department is seeking peer reviewers for our Fiscal Year 2021 competitive/discretionary grant season, including in the STEM/CS areas (among others). The Federal Register notice spotlights the specific needs of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). The How to Become a Peer Reviewer slide deck provides additional information and next steps.
America's Strategy for STEM Education
The STEM Education Strategic Plan, *Charting a Course for Success: America's Strategy for STEM Education*, published in December 2018, sets out a federal strategy for the next five years based on a vision for a future where all Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education and the United States will be the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and employment. It represents an urgent call to action for a nationwide collaboration with learners, families, educators, communities, and employers—a "North Star" for the STEM community as it collectively charts a course for the Nation's success. The Department is an active participant in each of the interagency working groups focused on implementation of the Plan.

Learn more about what the Department and other federal agencies are doing to implement the plan in these progress reports:

**Progress Reports**

October 2019December 2020December 2021
Secretary's STEM Priority
Secretary Cardona finalized his six priorities for use in agency discretionary grant programs; equitable access to rigorous STEM, including computer science, experiences is noted in Priority 2.  The Department also issued a revised set of common instructions for grant applicants.
- Proposed Priority 1--Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Students, Educators, and Faculty.
- Proposed Priority 2--Promoting Equity in Student Access to Educational Resources, Opportunities, and Welcoming Environments.
- Proposed Priority 3--Supporting a Diverse Educator Workforce and Professional Growth to Strengthen Student Learning.
- Proposed Priority 4-- Meeting Student Social, Emotional, and Academic Needs.
- Proposed Priority 5--Increasing Postsecondary Education Access, Affordability, Completion, and Post- Enrollment Success.
- Proposed Priority 6--Strengthening Cross-Agency Coordination and Community Engagement to Advance Systemic Change.
U.S. Department of Education STEM Newsletter
In February 2020, the Department created the U.S. Department of Education STEM Newsletter. Please go to our newsletter subscription page to sign-up.
Archived STEM Newsletters
January 2023October/November 2022September 2022August 2022July 2022May 2022April 2022March 2022February 2022January 2022December 2021November 2021October 2021October 2021 AddendumSeptember 2021August 2021July 2021June 2021May 2021April 2021January 2021December 2020November 2020October 2020September 2020August 2020July 2020June 2020May 2020April 2020March 2020February 2020
STEM Education Briefings
The STEM Education Briefings are live-streamed, close-captioned and archived for your convenience.
Upcoming STEM Briefings
There are no upcoming STEM briefings at this time.
Archived STEM Briefings
November 15, 2022 –  Public Health and STEM with CDC (presentation slides [**MS PowerPoint**, 40MB])September 16, 2022 –  The Pathway to Convergence (presentation slides [**MS PowerPoint**, 77MB])July 19, 2022 – Girls in STEM (21stCCLC Summer Symposium)April 26, 2022 – Learning with NASA is Out of this WorldMarch 25, 2022 – Science: Call to Action (presentation slides [**MS PowerPoint**, 22MB])February 24, 2022 – Rural STEM Education (presentation slides [**MS PowerPoint**, 125MB])January 19, 2022 - Think Globally, Teach Locally (presentation slides [**PDF**, 10MB])December 9, 2021 – Environmental LiteracyNovember 30, 2021 – Energizing STEM (presentation slides [**PDF**, 6.7MB])October 15, 2021 –  Data Literacy (presentation slides [**PDF**, 12.6MB])July 28, 2021 – Advanced Manufacturing: Industry of the Future (presentation slides [**PDF,** 11.3MB])May 4, 2021 – Summertime STEM (presentation slides [**PDF,** 18.3MB])March 25, 2021 – Differing Abilities in STEM, featuring Dr. Temple Grandin (presentation slides [**PDF,** 13.7MB])February 2021 – Inspiring STEM Interest (presentation slides [**PDF,** 3.7MB])December 2020 – New Frontiers in K-12 Computer Science (presentation slides [**PDF,** 12.7MB])November 2020 – Federal STEM Strategic Plan: 2 Years Later (presentation slides [**PDF,** 15.49MB]).  October 2020 – Invention Education (presentation slides [**PDF,** 13.13MB])  September 2020 – STEM Teacher Preparation (presentation slides [**PDF,** 3.5MB])  August 2020 – Cybersecurity Education (presentation slides [**PDF,** 10.5MB])  July 2020 – Early Math (presentation slides [**PDF,** 2.37MB])  June 2020 – Distance Learning  February 2020 – STEM After School  January 2020 – STEAM: Arts Supporting STEM  December 2019 – Family Engagement in STEM  November 2019 – The STEM Opportunity Index  October  2019 – Early Engineering Education and State Efforts  September  2019 – Recruiting and Retaining 100K STEM Teachers in 10 YearsJuly  2019 – What Do We Know about Computer Science Education?
Resources
Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary GradesDesigning and Delivering Career Pathways at Community CollegesLearning in a Pandemic WebinarFall 2020 Back-to-School Success StoriesCOVID-19 Information and Resources for Schools and School PersonnelESEA, IDEA, and Perkins ResourcesCollege Scorecard ― updated again on 1/15/21Exploring Career Options – FSAWork-Based LearningStackable Credentials that lead to careersCross-agency teacher resourcesIES data and statistics, research and evaluation, and tools for educatorsOut of School STEM InitiativesThe ED Games Expo "Goes Virtual" to Support Distance LearningSTEM Data Story — A Leak in the STEM Pipeline: Taking Algebra EarlyCTE Data Story — Bridging the Skills Gap: Career and Technical Education in High SchoolSTEM Spotlights****Parent and Family Digital Learning GuideEarly Learning: STEM – Math VideoKeep Calm and Connect All Student OET Blog SeriesK-12 Practitioners' CircleSTEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMI2E2) Center and OSEP's Early Learning NewsletterA Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with DisabilitiesCTE Research CenterCivil Rights Data CollectionDepartment's Data Strategy
Other communications tools
Homeroom BlogPress ReleasesTwitterNewsletter Subscriptions
Other Federal Agency STEM websites
The following are federal agencies that the Department collaborates with to support the aims of the STEM Education Strategic Plan (see above section for more details) and support the Department's stakeholders. 
- Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)
- STEM Education Advisory Panel
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA)
- Department of Agriculture  (USDA)
- Department of Defense  (DOD)
- Department of Labor (DOL)    - Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- NASA
- National Science Foundation (NSF)  and  NSF      INCLUDES
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)  (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education  (NICE) at National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) (U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC))
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Smithsonian Institute
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)  (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)  (U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC))
- U.S. Census Bureau  – Statistics in School 
- STEM4ALL  - website for federal internships, scholarships, and training opportunities. 
- Q-12 Education  - K-12 quantum learning tools and inspire the next generation of quantum leaders.  
- Quantum.gov  - home of the National Quantum Initiative.  
- AI.gov  -  National Artificial Intelligence Initiative.
Department STEM Contacts- Acting STEM Lead, Office of Career, Adult, and Technical Education – Albert Palacios at  albert.palacios@ed.gov .
- Robert Noyce/Ellen Lettvin STEM Education Fellow, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education — Patti Curtis at  Patti.Curtis@ed.gov
- For inquiries, please reach out to  STEM@ed.gov .
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