DFSME eNEWS Celebrates Milestone this Month!

Over the past four years, our audience reach has skyrocketed upward to over 2,600 educators and business community members! The DFSME staff thanks our readers for the many shout-outs we have received in regard to our pursuit of preparing EVERY student in Delaware for a STEM-based workforce with improved effectiveness and excellence in STEM education.

In this issue we are excited to highlight the middle school students' "Breaking into STEAM Career Fair" at the Museum of Nature and Science, STEM Night at the Blue Rocks, the visit to Legislative Hall by the Brandywine High School STEM Team national winners of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, summer events and more!

— Randy Guschl, Executive Director

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME)

The “Breaking into STEAM” Career Fair held at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in May.

Inset photo below: Million Women Mentors’ table displayed STEAM career opportunities and STEM stickers. Photos and article courtesy Holly Quinn / Technical.ly

STEAM Job Fair for Middle School Students A Success!

Employers need a future workforce with STEAM skills...yet Randolph Guschl, Executive Director of the Delaware Foundation for Science Mathematics and Education (DFSME) and a former DuPonter, sees a lack of STEAM advocacy for youth coming from business leaders. At the “Breaking into STEAM” Career Fair for middle school students at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in May, Guschl, employers and other advocates from all over the state came together to get kids interested in STEAM careers early.

Exposing Kids to STEAM at an Earlier Age Opens Up More Possibilities

While it may be too soon for sixth and seventh graders to fully make a decision about their future careers, finding areas of interest in science and technology can help with selecting high school pathways. That can lead them to becoming the future workforce with STEAM skills employers want.

Tables like DFSME's STEM SPOT, laden with STEM career information, demos and the ever-important giveaway of fun STEM stickers, were found throughout the museum, from the PaleoZone to the Bald Cypress Swamp. Companies participating in the hands-on event included DuPont, Agilent, CSC and ChristianaCare.

Middle schoolers are an often-overlooked demographic, but a consensus emerged from the adult participants: Kids need to know what STEAM career opportunities Delaware offers, and they need to know earlier… >>READ MORE

The Brandywine High School STEM Team displays their award-winning entry from the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national competition. (L-R): Sean Merklin, STEM Team coach and teacher; Katherine McDerby; Isabella Chermak; Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long; Malti John; Olivia Erskin; and Dr. Mark Holodick, DE Secretary of Education. Inset photo: Rep. Kevin Hensley of the General Assembly, District 9, shares the House Session agenda with the STEM Team.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow National Competition Winners Recognized at Legislative Hall

Both the Delaware House of Representatives and the State Senate recognized the Brandywine High School STEM Team national winners of the 14th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. The high schoolers, who worked for over two years on technical developments, demonstrated their adaptive version of Chutes and Ladders and Connect 4 to Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long.

In answering the group’s questions about Million Women Mentors Delaware, of which the Lt. Governor is the Delaware Chair and honorary National Chair, Hall-Long explained how the mentoring network is dedicated to the encouragement of women and girls around the world to persist and succeed in STEM Careers.

Also greeting the team were Brandywine District Representative, Deb Heffernan, and Secretary of Education, Mark Holodick. The day included a tour of Moonprint Solutions LLC, a cutting-edge engineering company that works to solve challenging problems with government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA.

The event was coordinated by Michelle Kutch, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Brandywine School District, and sponsored by Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education.

For more info on the Million Women Mentors network supported by STEMconnector, click here.

Jackie Means, “The STEM Queen”, engages students in science experiments during STEM Night at the Blue Rocks. Jackie had the honor of throwing out the first pitch in the packed stadium.

Taking STEM to the Ballpark

STEM Night at the Blue Rocks was a fun learning experience for all visiting the ballpark on May 16. The mezzanine was full of tables with STEM displays and activities in which students engaged during the event.



The Brandywine High School table was shared with DFSME and Delaware STEM Council. The DFSME STEM SPOT provided literature about STEM careers at Delaware businesses and many popular STEM stickers! Look for the DFSME STEM SPOT throughout the state of Delaware!

Manning the DFSME STEM SPOT at STEM Night at the Blue Rocks are (L-R): Ebony Zuudia, Entrepreneurial Client at LAZARUS Educational Services and parent of STEAM students; Daniel Suchenski, Executive Director, DE STEM Council; Dr. Rosie Tooley, Executive Director, LAZARUS Educational Services; Randy Guschl, Executive Director, DFSME; and Ryan Gingo, President, AFTEM.

Erin Ahern, Science Educator at Skyline Middle School, Red Clay School District, is this month’s DFSME Shining Light Awardee, presented by Randy Guschl, DFSME Executive Director.

DFSME’s June “Shining Light Award”

Honors Erin Ahern, Skyline Middle School Science Educator

Erin is a very dedicated science teacher and an on-going learner. She lives and breathes science beyond the classroom, making connections to the real world.

Erin's love of science has taken her in many directions. She has facilitated training for the Science Coalition, is a Nextgen Teacher Leader, and has helped judge Odyssey of the Mind. She is a volunteer for the Brandywine SPCA and she monitors and collects data on Sea Turtles. In the classroom, using freshman-level math and engineering skills, her students have learned the strength of materials-specific chocolate bar composites.

She shares her expertise with fellow colleagues and is a role model for students. Erin's passion is contagious to both her colleagues and students. According to Tonyea Mead of the Dept. of Education,

“Our teachers in science and math make Delaware sparkle with all their energy

they bring to their classrooms. We are all just trying to spark the light of excitement

into our students’ eyes through math and science instruction, and create

a glowing pathway towards a future career pathway in the STEM fields.”

Erin’s exemplary highlights include being a 2021 PAEMST Finalist, 2021 Teacher of the Year at Gunning Bedford, Colonial School District, 2022 Northrop Grumann Teacher Fellowship, and an Odyssey of the Mind Coach and judge.



We are pleased to recognize Erin Ahern as a Superlative Educator!

Erin Ahern was nominated by Tonyea Mead M.E., Science Education Associate,

Delaware Department of Education

Nominate Your Favorite Educator to be a Shining Light!

Anyone may nominate a STEM formal, informal or community Educator for the Shining Light Award. Honorees receive an award, a $100 gift card and a mini heavy-duty mag flashlight.

For more details, go to dfsme.org/shining-light-award

Email completed form to drses48@aol.com or Michelle.Kutch@bsd.k12.de.us.

Recognizing Mindy Adams, Milton Elementary School Counselor and Delaware School Counselor of the Year, are (L-R) Principal Clara Conn, Board President Alison Myers, Kasen Adams, McKinley Adams, Madison Adams, Mindy Adams, Kellan Adams and Superintendent Bob Fulton. Photo courtesy Ellen Driscoll.

Cape Henlopen School Board Recognizes

Award-Winning Employees

The Cape Henlopen school board recognized six employees at their May 9 board meeting. Superintendent Bob Fulton said the district is fortunate and blessed to have such great staff members in a variety of roles, and several were recently recognized regionally and nationally.

“This is like a tidal wave. We’ve had so many of our staff

in the last year win some really impressive awards, and deservedly.”

         — Bob Fulton, Superintendent, Cape Henlopen School District

In addition to being the H.O. Brittingham Teacher of the Year, Carlos Pesquera, second-grade Spanish immersion teacher, was also named one of four state finalists for the 2024 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Cape High Chemistry Teacher and 2024 Cape District Teacher of the Year, Rachel Peacock was presented with the Shining Light Award in April by DFSME for exemplifying excellence to STEM fields. 

Congrats on these achievements!

Mindy Adams - Milton Elementary School Counselor and Delaware School Counselor of the Year. 

Fred Best - Mariner Middle Principal and Delaware Secondary Principal of the Year.

Nikki Baine - Mariner Middle Senior Secretary was named Education Office Professional of the Year.

Gloria Ho - Milton Elementary School Social Worker and National School Social Worker of the Year.

Reprinted from Cape Gazette

Read Aloud Delaware board and staff with Governor John Carney.

Read Aloud Delaware Surpasses $40K Fundraising Goal!

More than 100 supporters gathered to celebrate Read Aloud Delaware's

40th anniversary in May at Riverfront Events.



With the generous support of donors and sponsors such as Incyte, WSFS Bank, Morris James LLP and others, Read Aloud Delaware announced that the book event surpassed the fundraising goal, achieving over $40,000. DFSME's sponsorship of the event took the form of the in-kind donation of $1,500 of science stories and fact books to be read by Read Aloud's volunteers to children at day care programs throughout the state.  

Read Aloud was honored to welcome volunteers, childcare centers, nonprofit leaders, and distinguished guests including U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, Gov. John Carney, and NCC Executive Matt Meyer. 

Executive Director James Spadola remarked, "It's astounding to think our volunteers have read 2 million times to kids one-on-one in 40 years. Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on expanding our volunteer and childcare network, expanding our bilingual outreach program, and focusing on partnerships designed to increase the literacy levels of Delaware's children…” >>READ MORE 

Delaware Math Coalition Presents...the Math Leadership Team Summer Retreat

Building Math Leadership Capacity Statewide

July 31 and August 1, 2024

Invest in Your Best:

9 Strategies to Grow, Celebrate, and Support Your Most Valuable Teachers

Featured Speakers Dr. Joseph Jones & Dr. T.J. Vari

Delaware administrators and their mathematics instructional leadership teams are invited to join the Delaware Mathematics Coalition for a two-day workshop specifically designed to help school and district leaders promote a more assets-based and productive stance towards teacher reflection, learning, and growth.

The practices-based professional learning supports our collective goal of Leading the Future of Mathematics in Delaware. For more information and to register, click here.

June's Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honoree

Sujata Bhatia, MD, PhD, PE is a licensed professional engineer, physician, and professor at the University of Delaware, Harvard University and Drexel University. Sujata’s goal is to improve human health through the application of engineering analysis. Her background spans industry and academia, and includes medical device and biotechnology product development, clinical trials, and intellectual property. She engages her students in product design for medicine.

Million Women Mentors is the premier network dedicated to encouraging girls and women around the world to pursue, persist and succeed in STEM careers. The Delaware STEM Council and DFSME are partners in the event along with MWM-DE and the Office of the Governor, State of Delaware.

Summer is Here! Applications are Open!

10th Delaware STEM Educator Awards

Now is the time to get going on your application! The Delaware STEM Educator Awards recognize a teacher or team of teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels of both traditional public & private schools and community programming that demonstrate STEM innovation and excellence through teaching, academic collaboration, and student engagement.

Applicants for this award include science (all fields), mathematics (all fields), computer science, engineering, and CTE educators.

At least three unrestricted cash awards of up to $7,500

will be given to each first-place winning teacher or team of teachers.

For more information and 2024 application, click here.

To learn more about the 9th Award Winners, please read this article covering the November 2023 Award Winners – Delaware STEM Council.

Tickets on Sale Now!

2nd Annual TECH Ecosystem Conference

June 25-26, 2024

Join us at the Tech Ecosystem conference! Connect with and learn from tech enthusiasts, start-up leaders and entrepreneurs in Delaware!

Hyatt Place - Wilmington Riverfront

760 Justison Street Wilmington, DE 19801

For more information and to register, scan the QR code or click here.

#STEMstickers!

June 16

Juneteenth

Juneteenth – also known as Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day

and Emancipation Day – commemorates the end of slavery in

the United States as it is celebrated on the anniversary

of June 19, 1865, as the American Civil War was ending.

To learn more, click here. 

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Now through June 30

National Zoo and Aquarium Month

During the month of June, individuals are encouraged to learn about animals

and marine life, and to seek out educational programs to make learning fun.

Did you know that the first zoo in America was the Philadelphia Zoo that opened in 1874?

For more history and facts about this celebration, click here.

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Now through October 27

Festival of the Fountains at Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens is renowned for its extraordinary fountains and the complex

feat of engineering it takes to operate. Explore the largest fountain garden

in the U.S. inside and out on the tour “Under the Fountains”.

For further info and tickets for this tour, click here.

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June 25-26

Tech Ecosystem Conference

Join us at the 2nd annual Tech Ecosystem Conference to connect with and

learn from tech enthusiasts, start-up leaders and entrepreneurs in Delaware!

Sponsored by Tech Council of Delaware.

Hyatt Place Wilmington Riverfront, Tickets $65-$85

For more information, click here.

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July 8-12

FREE STEM Professional Development for Teachers

Join ASM Materials Camp® Teachers at University of Delaware for a FREE, idea-generating

workshop that makes core science and math principles relevant to middle & high school

students. Great motivation for any engineering, technology or science courses as participants

learn concepts that are reflected in their students' everyday lives.

To download the info flyer and register, click here.

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July 18-27

Delaware State Fair

During the annual 10-day Fair, get your favorite treat, explore agricultural exhibits,

listen to live music, shop at the marketplace, and experience other fun festivities!

18500 S. Dupont Hwy, Harrington, DE 19952.

To check out the exhibits and live concert lineup, click here.

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July 23-25 • 8:30am-3:30pm

DE New Normal Problem-Based Math Camp

This summer we will collaborate around our mutual goal of creating curious learners who love

grappling with problems, focus on strategies that promote math engagement and enhance

more thinking-centered math classrooms. For secondary and post-secondary math educators.

This year’s Math Camp will be hosted in Lewes, DE. For more info, click here.

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July 31-August 1

Two-Day Math Leadership Team Retreat

Join Delaware Mathematics Coalition leaders for a two-day workshop specifically designed

to help administrators and their math instructional leadership teams promote a more

assets-based and productive stance towards teach reflection, learning and growth

Virden Center, Lewes, DE.

For more info and to register, click here.

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Save the Date! September 10

2024 Delaware Math Equity Conference

A powerful day of professional learning dedicated to Equity in Math and STEM.

Opening Speaker will be Lacey Robinson, President and CEO of UnboundEd, the nation’s

largest K-12 educator development organization focused on improving teaching and learning for

underserved students, and chair of the Board of CORE Learning. Lacey is the author of

Justice Seekers: Pursuing Equity in the Details of Teaching and Learning,

an inspiring message to us all to recognize that "justice is found in the details of teaching and learning”.

Sponsored by the Delaware Mathematics Coalition & Delaware Department of Education.

Save the Date! September 10 • Exclusive Educator Tours of Delaware Businesses

STEM Equity in Action Day

Teachers can choose to spend their professional learning in-service day with the opportunity

to visit businesses in Delaware. See how real-world Equity applies in these STEM companies!

Credit Hours will be given. Stay tuned for more information!

Sponsored by the DFSME, Delaware STEM Council and Delaware Department of Education.

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Save the Date! November 7

The 10th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards Ceremony

Live Zoom Videocast from Buena Vista Country Estate in New Castle, Delaware

Co-hosted by Delaware STEM Council and DFSME, the event announces winners at the

Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12) levels,

the Community Educator Award, the Jon Manon STEAM Team Educator Award and more!

For more information, click here.

DFSME thanks the following organizations for contributions to STEM education in Delaware.

STEM Legacy

DuPont | LabWare

STEM Heritage

Ashland | Mountaire Farms | Verizon

STEM Sustainer

Bloom Energy

STEM Network

Croda | Walmart

STEM Business

Agilent Technologies | American Chemical Society Delaware Section | Autumn Arch

STEM Gifts in Kind

Chesapeake Utilities | ChristianaCare | Corteva Agriscience

Delaware Department of Education | Delaware Design Company | Delaware Technical Community College Delaware Nature Society | DelawareBio | Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

EDiS | FAME, Inc. | Junior Achievement | Million Women Mentors | STEMconnector

Stroud Water Research Center | University of Delaware | Whisman Giordano & Associates

Partners Community

Delaware Afterschool Network | Delaware Department of Education

Delaware Pathways / Career and Technical Education Cadre | Delaware Math Coalition

Delaware Science Coalition | Delaware STEM Council Healthy Food for Healthy Kids

Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative

Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education

100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612 

Wilmington, DE 19801 

Tel: 302.397.0034 | Fax: 302.397.0036 

Email: anne.dfsme@gmail.com

www.dfsme.org

©2023 Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education

501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.