I-STEM is a collection of businesses, higher learning institutions, K-12 schools and government officials gathered by Purdue University. Since 2006, they have promoted professional development in math and science. They hope to add engineering to the list by the summer of this year.
I-STEM wishes to train over 11,500 teachers in STEM literacy. About 1,500 teachers will be trained face-to-face by 2016; the remainder will be trained online by 2018.
I-STEM’s Indiana Science Initiative (ISI) uses research-based curriculums to promote STEM literacy. In 2010 this pilot project taught 2,000 teachers and 54,000 students in 134 K-8 schools.
100kin10, on the other hand, is an independent non-profit consisting of almost 200 partners. Members have access to research, learning platforms, grants and other funding in order to increase collaboration, problem solving and the support of STEM teachers.
The organization has fostered and partnered with over 12,443 teachers since its inception. Of the 200 partners, 75 are dedicated to supporting these teachers and ensuring they remain effective and on the job.
100Kin10 Video from 100Kin10 on Vimeo.
"Our goal is to work with Indiana teachers to implement high academic standards that will provide STEM literacy for all students," said I-STEM managing director Paul Ainslie. "That makes us [I-STEM] a perfect partner for 100Kin10.”
An extensive vetting process is needed to join 100Kin10: members must be innovative, bold and dedicated to improving STEM teaching. Thanks to I-STEM’s impressive track record thus far, it is not surprising they were successfully admitted into the 100Kin10 fold.
Source Purdue.