Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

The Office of STEM is part of DESE's Center for Instructional Support. Responsibilities include:

• Articulating high quality learning standards for mathematics, science and technology/engineering (STE), and digital literacy and computer science (DLCS);
• Identifying, developing, and disseminating a rich set of implementation resources;
• Facilitating networking opportunities for educators to ensure that best practices are shared across districts; and;
• Actively communicating with stakeholders about new developments in the STEM fields.

The Office of STEM supports three specific disciplines:

• Programs for Accelerating Mathematics Instruction for Students 2022-2023

• STEM Grant Opportunities

  Expanding High-Quality Instructional Mathematics Materials Grant (FY23): Grant Posting

  The Department is offering a competitive grant to support districts to purchase the new adoption of high-quality core mathematics instructional materials that are unavailable through the Accelerating Mathematics for Students in 2022-23 program. Materials must be rated by CURATE or EdReports as high-quality. Interested districts must complete this brief statement of intent by June 3rd, 2022. Applicants that do not complete a statement of intent will not be considered for the grant. Full applications are due Friday June 10th, 2022. See the grant posting for the competitive priorities and all details. Please direct any questions about this grant to Ian Stith . Questions and Answers about the Grant Question: Does the district need to be ready to implement the new math program in September '22? Answer: Yes, the grant is intended to support districts that have already selected new high-quality core math materials and are ready to launch and use those materials for the 22-23 school year. Question: Are materials that have not yet been reviewed by CURATE or EdReports eligible to be funded by the grant? Answer: No, only core materials that are rated high-quality by CURATE or EdReports are eligible. See the grant posting for a definition of "high-quality." Question: Must the district select the instructional materials before applying for the grant? Answer: Yes, the instructional materials must be selected before applying for the grant. Question: Can the grant include the aligned intervention program and professional development for both the core and intervention programs? Answer: This grant covers only core instructional materials and the foundational professional development to launch those core materials. Question: Is there a list of qualified curriculum materials? Answer: Yes, materials that are rated high-quality by CURATE or EdReports are eligible. See these sites for lists of materials that meet the posted definition of "high-quality." However, this grant excludes materials that were otherwise available through Accelerating Math funding. Question: What is the timeline for planning and implementation? Answer: The expected timeline is that materials are selected, and a quote is attached to the submitted application. It is expected the core materials will be launched at the start of the 22-23 school year. Question: When will funds be awarded? Answer: Applications will be reviewed as quickly as possible. The goal is for funds to be available such that districts can launch the use of the materials in the Fall. Question: Does this grant apply to collaboratives? Answer: Yes, public collaboratives are eligible. Question: Does it pay for training as well? Answer: Yes, the grant funds the foundational professional development to launch the core program.

  National Science Foundation Grant Opportunities: Find Funding National Science Foundation: Awards Search

  The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research and education in most fields of science, engineering, technology, and computer science. It does this through grants, and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the United States. The Foundation accounts for about one-fourth of federal support to academic institutions for basic research. At any point in time Massachusetts has about 2,900 NSF awards.

  
  

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Last Updated: December 31, 2022