Advancing K-12 STEAM and R&D Education through School, University, and Industry Collaboration

This proposal requests funding for two OSEP initiatives: the Research and Development (R&D) STEM Education Initiative and the STEM to STEAM Initiative. These initiatives provide professional development (PD) pathways for K-12 teachers and administrators and community building and engagement opportunities for K-12, university, and industry STEM education stakeholders. While primarily benefitting teachers and administrators, this project works to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders to build innovative and authentic, inquiry-based STEM and STEAM learning programs for middle and high school students across the Chicago area, Illinois, and the U.S. Teacher training and community-building events are ideal ways to develop, document, and exchange best practices in K-12 STEM and STEAM education so that we may build programs that not only improve teaching and learning but also meaningfully engage and excite students. Middle and high school R&D and STEAM programs supported by teacher professional development and collaborative learning and engagement events for approximately 673 teachers and other STEAM education stakeholders, benefitting over 50,000 students in Chicago and across Illinois and the U.S.