Next Gem Innovators (NGI) brings together educators to learn about the tools, resources, and connections needed to deliver dynamic, real-world learning experiences that inspire future innovators. NGI fosters collaboration between educators, industry professionals, districts, and communities to shape the future of STEM education.

The Pathways to Internships Project helps community college students prepare for careers in biotechnology and related fields through participation in biotechnology classes and activities. Students also gain real-world experience through internship opportunities.

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Professional Learning Community of Practice brings educators together in mentored, asynchronous mini-courses in combination with synchronous professional learning seminars on using high-quality instructional materials. Educators come together to discuss student engagement and learning.

R20 Premier Esports engages high school students in Esports competition leagues. Postsecondary students serve as interns to run the program while receiving mentorship from industry professionals to explore STEM career opportunities in Esports and audiovisual media.

For Students (PK–3), Science Saturdays is a live, free show that revives the science show Charles Kettering and his “Barn Gang” started in the early 20th century on the very same stage at the Engineers Club of Dayton. Although content is tailored for PreK and kindergarten, the show welcomes and engages audiences of all ages.

SeaPerch Program Scale Up expands the reach of the SeaPerch and SeaGlide programs, in which middle and high school students learn about scientific and engineering concepts as they work in small teams to collaboratively build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Educators participate in their own learning experiences to gain confidence in teaching engineering concepts and skills. They also learn about careers in marine engineering to share with their students.

STEM Enrichment & Career Exploration programs such as the STEM After-School and STEM-to-You engage K–8 students in STEM activities in after-school settings. Students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to learn about careers in medicolegal and forensic science at the Forensic Science Career Day held twice a year.

The MSU STEM Expo is an annual event that exposes students in grades 6–12 and undergraduate college students to quality STEM enrichment activities. It also gives them access to STEM professionals linked to DoW jobs and careers.

STEM NOLA in partnership with STEM Gulf Coast, delivers high quality, hands on STEM programming designed to expose, inspire, and engage K–12 students across the Gulf Coast region. Through DSEC funded initiatives, the program provides over 60 stations with inquiry-based learning experiences that focus on real world applications in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

STEM Global Action and STEM NOLA Summer camps served students highlighting the advancements in Artificial Intelligence. Using tools such as Google’s Teachable Machine, students trained their own Machine Learning models and deployed them in their own applications. The students walked away with access to their very own AI powered applications. Participants also learned what Archimedes’ Principle is and why things float.