Board of Higher Education STEM Pipeline Fund

1. Board of Higher Education STEM Pipeline Fund Robert H. Goddard Council April 3, 2007

2. STEM Pipeline Fund Overview • The Acts of 2003 Economic Stimulus Trust Fund legislation created the Massachusetts Mathematics, Science, Technology and Engineering Grant Fund (STEM Pipeline Fund). • Administered by the Board of Higher Education. • Legislative funding: • 2003: $2.5 million • 2006: $4.0 million

3. STEM Pipeline Fund Goals • Increase the number of Massachusetts students who participate in programs that support careers in fields related to mathematics, science, technology and engineering (STEM); • Increase the number of STEM teachers in the Commonwealth; and • Improve the STEM educational offerings available in public and private schools. Chapter 141 of the Acts of 2003

4. Need for Collaboration • Many STEM programs throughout Massachusetts but often fragmented and short-term in scope and scale. • Collaboration needs to include higher education, K-12, industry and state policymakers.

5. How Are We Addressing This? • The STEM Pipeline Fund established Regional Networks throughout the state to bring together stakeholders around regional STEM education. • The Board of Higher Education collaborates with other organizations and state agencies to coordinate policies and programs.

6. 2004-2005 Funded Projects • $2.3 million distributed to 10 lead organizations and 35 partner organizations. • Led to $1.3m in leveraged funds. • 16 Regional Network and 3 statewide projects: • 11 student interest/career projects. • Equal focus on middle and high school. • Largely equal focus across STEM subjects. • Numbers served: • 4,555 students and 521 teachers. • 235 schools in 115 districts.

7. 2007 Funded Projects • $1.7 million announced to 6 lead organizations and approximately 50 partner organizations. • Three-year grants support Networks, projects. • Funding encumbered for all three years, but disbursement only with evidence of progress. • 19 regional projects supported by the Networks: • 50% serve middle school students and/or teachers. • 33% student enrichment and interest programs; 66% teacher professional development programs. • 40% focus on science and/or engineering projects.

8. Continuous Evaluation • Three-part statewide evaluation by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute: • Surveys of Network members. • Analysis of individual project evaluations. • Massachusetts Statewide STEM Indicators Project (MASSIP): collection of K-12, higher education and economic data to review progress of the pipeline of future STEM workers in Massachusetts and against competitor states.

9. P-16 Alignment in Regions and State • Regional PreK-16 Networks assist grassroots STEM education: • Align programs among partners. • Replicate programs from other regions. • Leverage other funding. • Collaboration with Department of Education. • Growing interest among workforce development stakeholders. • MTC, AIM, High Tech Council in proposal review; Intel and MBAE in programs.

10. State Policy and Program Alignment • Work with Department of Education and University of Massachusetts to develop “map” of statewide STEM programs. • Pursue application for new STEM-focused National Governors Association grant. • Sponsor math faculty working group on defining content of elementary school teacher test. • Define Goddard Council role in STEM P-16 alignment.

11. Next Steps: Project Development • Implement Scholar-Internship Match Fund, also supported through 2006 Economic Stimulus. • Assess sample of alternative teacher certification programs throughout the state. • Build on best practices from other states/ national/international. • Define Goddard Council role in setting program priorities. • Secure FY2008 funding for next year of five-year commitment.

12. Questions