The mission of the Northeast Network STEM Pipeline Project is to increase the number of qualified young people who choose careers in the fields of science, math, engineering and technology (STEM) fields.  This mission is driven by the need for Massachusetts to increase its technology talent pool in order to remain competitive in the global innovation economy.  The Northeast Network has chosen to “prime the pipeline pump” by focusing on teacher professional development.

The Network is a collaboration among institutions of higher education, P-12 schools and school districts, workforce development groups and employers in the northeast region of the state.  The Graduate School of Education of the University of Massachusetts Lowell is the lead partner, and in 2007, was awarded $322,000 by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to continue the expansion and implementation of the STEM Fellows and Leaders Program.

Seven new school districts in 2007 – Andover, Billerica, Chelmsford, Lawrence, Lynnfield, Salem, Tritown Union and the Innovation Charter School – have recruited 43 middle school teachers to be STEM Fellows.  Each Fellow will complete 30 hours of individual professional development in STEM disciplines, four full day workshops, and 20 hours of district team time during 2007-2009 and will develop a Capstone Plan for the district.  The six returning school districts – Beverly, Hamilton-Wenham, Lowell, Methuen, North Reading and Reading – choose 15 former Fellows as STEM Leaders. The Leaders will mentor the Fellows, assist in their professional development, participate in the full day workshops and partake in individual professional development on a space available basis. The STEM Fellows and Leaders project seeks to increase STEM teachers’ content knowledge, especially about cutting edge technologies and new career paths in STEM fields.

For the Capstone Plan, each district team will analyze the current state of STEM education in their district.  The team will devise a targeted plan with a curriculum component designed to increase students’ interest in STEM. The teams will formulate achievable short- and long-term goals with the aim of increasing the number of students who say they will study STEM-related subjects; ultimately making them more likely to choose careers in STEM fields. The plans will be presented to the group, Network Advisory Council members and district administrators at a culminating full day workshop.

While the STEM Fellows and Leaders pursue professional development and district planning, the Northeast Network STEM Advisory Council is expanding its education outreach to other school districts, institutions of higher education, and employers in the region.

For more information about the Network, including membership opportunities, please contact Marjorie Dennis, Project Manager, Marjorie_Dennis@uml.edu