National Defense Education Program (NDEP) for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education, Outreach, and Workforce Initiative Programs, Fiscal Year 2020

Overview

<p>The Department of Defense (DoD) seeks innovative applications for the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education, outreach, and workforce initiative programs. The Department seeks to complement its portfolio of programs (<a href="https://dodstem.us/stem-programs">https://dodstem.us/stem-programs</a&gt;) while maintaining and/or increasing its focus on underserved populations to include military connected children. This announcement explicitly encourages projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students and teachers, and prepare the 21st century technical workforce. Funding efforts will be targeted primarily towards programs, both formal and informal, that are aligned with the Federal STEM Education Strategy’s 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 (<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-St…;). This consists of strategic partnerships, convergence, and building computational literacy, and aligns with DoD STEM’s mission. This includes, but is not limited to, programs that:</p> <ul> <li>Address geographic dipartites and broaden participation for underrepresented and underserved communities;</li> <li>Target military-connected students (dependents from preschool through college of an active Military Service member) and provide this unique population with the resources and encouragement to pursue careers in STEM;</li> <li>Consider early academic education activities from pre-kindergarten through middle school to generate introductory awareness in STEM subjects and supplement understanding of foundational concepts in STEM</li> <li>Build STEM skills and literacy in an evidence-based and innovative manner;</li> <li>Utilize project-based learning opportunities such as STEM challenges, science fairs, and competitions;</li> <li>Foster family and community support systems to encourage STEM learning and understanding;</li> <li>Increase awareness of DoD science and technology priorities such as artificial intelligence/machine learning, biotechnology, and cyber to prepare for careers in national security and DoD science and technologies.</li> </ul> <p>Project scope may range in size and complexity. Submissions are encouraged to consider including education and outreach activities that will support the future mission of the DoD; provide students with exposure to DoD research and career opportunities; and enhance the educational experiences of under-represented and military dependent from pre-kindergarten – college students, their parents, and teachers. </p> <p>Stakeholders are especially encouraged to consider the following scope areas:</p> <ul> <li>Develop and implement programs meaningful integration of math across science and technology subject areas</li> <li>Develop and implement exploratory pilot programs that seek to create new educational experiences for students in STEM</li> <li>Develop and implement programs that support DoD science and technology priority areas (<a href="https://www.cto.mil/modernization-priorities/">https://www.cto.mil/mode…;)</li> <li>Develop larger cohesive STEM education and outreach activities that strengthen the capacity of regional/local communities and stakeholders to leverage partnerships</li> <li>Implement a manufacturing education program at pre-college that prepares participants for realistic job previews</li> <li>Develop activities that exposes participants to the necessary technical and problem solving skills for competency in cyber</li> <li>Encourage partnerships or consortia approach to implement STEM education and outreach programs with a holistic approach to understanding real-world applications</li> <li>Develop interdisciplinary activities which creates understanding of innovation entrepreneurship in the development of new technologies and technology transfer</li> </ul> <p>Applications should:</p> <ul> <li>Be innovative and novel to address the program description;</li> <li>Demonstrate potential to make a substantial impact as related to the objectives described above</li> <li>Create meaningful content and participant experiences that meet DoD STEM education and workforce priorities including an awareness of DoD internships, fellowships, and STEM careers</li> <li>Collect a set of program-specific measures of performance to include capture of participation rates and measures of effectiveness appropriate to the goals of the project; and,</li> <li>Contain a strategy for program sustainability, such that following the completion of DoD STEM’s investment under this funding opportunity, the effort will have a clear financial path and leave enduring organization capability.</li> </ul> <p>All efforts should have an emphasis on hands on-problem based learning activities, mentoring strategies, education outcomes, and an awareness of DoD internships, fellowships, and STEM careers.</p>