Dayton STEM Empowerment Initiative (DRSC)

Provided By

Dayton STEM Empowerment Initiative is a comprehensive funding support program aimed at enhancing STEM opportunities for both students and educators within the Dayton region. This initiative is designed to leverage the thriving STEM ecosystem; positioning Dayton as a center for STEM innovation, education, and collaboration. By partnering with existing successful programs and introducing new avenues of support, this initiative seeks to foster a vibrant STEM community and empower participants to excel in STEM fields.

Logic Model

Program Activities

Students

Participate to a greater extent in existing STEM programs such as Air Camp, AFRL Full Throttle, BYG Earth Event and other local STEM outreach events

Program Near-Term Outcomes

Students

Gain knowledge in STEM content areas
Develop a positive attitude towards STEM learning
Gain awareness of STEM careers

DSEC Near-Term Outcomes

Students

Increased student interest and engagement in STEM (formal and informal)
Increased participant STEM competencies (STEM skills, knowledge, abilities, and confidence)
Increased participant awareness of, and interest in, DoW STEM research and careers

Program Activities

Educators

Participate to a greater extent in existing STEM programs such as Air Camp, AFRL Full Throttle, BYG Earth Event and other local STEM outreach events

Program Near-Term Outcomes

Educators

Gain confidence for supporting students’ interest in STEM
Gain confidence for supporting students’ awareness of STEM opportunities
Gain skills for collaborating with industry and community to plan meaningful STEM opportunities for students

DSEC Near-Term Outcomes

Educators

Increased participant STEM competencies (STEM skills, knowledge, abilities, and confidence)
Increased participant awareness of, and interest in, DoW STEM research and careers

Participant Perspectives

Participant perspectives reflect survey responses from 2025-2026, the first year of survey administration.

Of 37 student participants, 29 responded to the survey.

This partner did not administer the educator participant outcome survey for this program.

Students

Grades 6-16

Disagree
Slightly Agree
Moderately Agree
Strongly Agree

The Dayton STEM Empowerment Initiative improved my attitude towards STEM careers.

13.8% 62.1% 24.1%

n = 29 valid responses

Program Data

Program data includes participants from both years of Base Period (2024-2025 and 2025-2026).

Students

67 total student participants

Student Grade Level

Military-Connected Students

Category	Count	%
Military-connected	6	9%
Not Military-connected Student	61	91%

Educators

184 total educator participants

Educator Type

Category	Count	%
Counselor	10	5.4%
District Administrator or Staff	16	8.7%
School Administrator	14	7.6%
Teacher	105	57.1%
Other	23	12.5%
No position listed	16	8.7%

Educator Grade Levels

Category	Count	%
Educator Elementary	36	19.6%
Educator Middle	22	12%
Educator High	52	28.3%
Educator Multiple Grades	33	17.9%
Educator 2-Year and/or Tech College Undergraduate	12	6.5%
Educator Undergrad	3	1.6%
Educator Grade Not Listed	26	14.1%

Military-Connected Educators

Category	Count	%
Military-connected	2	1.1%
Not Military-connected Educator	182	98.9%

Other programs from Partner

Future Self Center Makerspace (DRSC)

Next Gem Innovators (DRSC)

Science Saturdays (DRSC)