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LSEN K-12 STEMM Catalyst Initiative: Seeking applicants in Alabama & Pennsylvania

  • 1.  LSEN K-12 STEMM Catalyst Initiative: Seeking applicants in Alabama & Pennsylvania

    Posted 05-05-2025 09:02 PM

    If you are passionate about addressing systemic barriers to STEMM education and are located in West Alabama or Western Pennsylvania, read on!  

    AAAS' Local Science Engagement Network (LSEN) program seeks coordinators to lead a new AAAS K-12 STEMM Catalyst pilot initiative that will create opportunities for scientist-volunteer engagement with teachers and students in underserved K-12 classrooms. With support from the Lewis-Finefrock Endowment for STEMM Learning, this program will launch soon (June 2025) and focus on communities in Greene, Hale and Perry Counties in Alabama, as well as Clarion, Butler and Venango Counties in Pennsylvania.  

    AAAS K-12 STEMM Catalyst Initiative (Starting in June 2025)  
    Call for Applicants 

    Two LSEN Liaisons will lead the AAAS K-12 STEMM Catalyst pilot initiative -- one in West Alabama and one in Western Pennsylvania, with a focus on communities in Greene, Hale and Perry Counties (Alabama); and Clarion, Butler and Venango Counties (Pennsylvania). 

    Introduction 

    The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), with support from the Lewis-Finefrock Endowment for STEMM Learning, is seeking regional coordinators to lead the AAAS K-12 STEMM Catalyst pilot initiative in West Alabama and West Pennsylvania. The ideal candidate is passionate about advancing K-12 STEMM education and has a demonstrated commitment to this cause, including experience as an educator, STEMM professional and/or in grassroots recruitment and training of volunteers.  Project Description  

    The AAAS K-12 STEMM Catalyst Initiative will begin in June 2025 and comprise four primary phases, with an emphasis on preparing volunteers and developing content for the pilot program:  

    1. Discovery and Content Development 

    • Conduct stakeholder interviews to gain an awareness of regional school districts, including camps and afterschool programs, and their needs and interest in enhanced K-12 STEMM learning and volunteer engagement.  

    • Working with AAAS Local Science Engagement Network and a curriculum developer, develop a structured learning pathway that includes training modules, videos, and interactive tools that volunteers will access on the AAAS Member Learning Hub online platform.  

    1. Pilot Preparation 

    • Establish partnerships with selected schools and other community learning hubs.   

    • Outline a "ground plan" to accommodate institutional requests and number of volunteers needed to fulfill these requests.  

    • Initiate a call for volunteers with identified partners, including input from existing STEMM Ecosystems, the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, and the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) Initiative. 

    • Monitor a digital portal for volunteer recruitment.  

    • Coordinate candidate vetting and verify background checks. 

    1. Pilot Implementation 

    • Facilitate volunteer training that matches classrooms and curriculum needs. Serve as the main liaison between school personnel and volunteers. 

    • Provide logistical and scheduling support to educators and volunteers.  

    1. Evaluation and Reporting 

    • Use surveys, focus groups, and data analytics among educators and students to measure program outcomes.  

    • Deliver a final report with recommendations for scaling.  

    Minimum Qualifications 

    • An associate degree or higher in education and/or a STEMM-related field. 

    • A strong passion for STEMM education and demonstrated commitment to increasing access to STEMM learning opportunities.  

    • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. 

     Preferred Qualifications 

    • Established connections with local educators and school systems in West Alabama-particularly in Greene, Hale and Perry Counties, or in Western Pennsylvania, specifically in Clarion, Butler and Venango Counties. 

    • Experience training and preparing volunteers to engage effectively with K-12 students and educators.  

    • Proven ability to develop and implement structured learning programs, including digital or in-person training modules.  

    • Successful completion of background checks and any necessary vetting processes required for working with school-aged children.  

    Evaluation Criteria 

    Applicants will be evaluated based on:  

    • Alignment with the AAAS K-12 STEMM Catalyst Program objectives and AAAS's mission.  

    • Demonstrated expertise in K-12 STEMM education, volunteer training and engagement, and program evaluation.  

    • Feasibility and creativity of the proposed approach.  

    • Cost-effectiveness and value for services provided.  

    Submission Information 

    • Name, address, and email address.  

    • Resume or CV.  

    • Cover letter.  

    • Examples of similar projects, particularly in STEMM education or volunteer engagement.  

    • Contact information for at least two references.  

    Submission Instructions 

    Please click here for the application submission form.  

    Submission Deadline: May 23, 2025. 
    If you have any questions, please reach out to Briana Hudson at bhudson@aaas.org. 

     

    About AAAS  

    The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is one of the world's largest general scientific societies and publisher of the journal Science, as well as Science Translational Medicine; Science Signaling; a digital, open-access journal, Science Advances; Science Immunology; and Science Robotics. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes more than 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. The nonprofit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to "advance science and serve society" through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For additional information about AAAS, visit www.aaas.org.    

    The K-12 STEMM Catalyst Program will strategically address systemic barriers to STEMM education by creating opportunities for scientist-volunteer engagement with teachers and students in underserved K-12 classrooms.  

    About the AAAS Lewis-Finefrock Endowment 

    The AAAS Lewis-Finefrock Endowment provides support to identify and remove obstacles children may encounter in their quest to learn more about science and math, and about related career opportunities. The endowment was established in memory of Charlotte Anne Finefrock Lewis and Leroy Elliot Lewis, Jr., who believed understanding science and math were essential fundamentals in a well-functioning society. 



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