Celebrating Food and Ag Education

Agriculture is the leading STEM industry of the First State

In Delaware, farms occupy approximately 500,000 acres of land and provide many of the food resources both in and outside of the US. Ag careers span beyond the farm and tractor, from raising livestock, or harvesting in greenhouses to working in a corporation.

The global population is predicted to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. To feed everyone, it’s estimated that global food production will need to increase by up to 70% in the next 30 years. For farmers to meet that demand, they need to know every detail about crop planning, animal health, weather patterns, compliance with laws and standards, chemical regulations, contracts and more. As the world population grows, so does the need for food, and agricultural resources and a skilled, STEM-savvy food and Ag workforce.

“If you are interested in science, technology, engineering or math and

want to have an impact on the lives of people and animals,

 or work on solutions for some of the biggest global challenges,

then food and agriculture is the place for you.”

– From “Food and Agriculture is STEM”, STEMconnector eBook

Download Your FREE STEMconnector eBook in this issue!

(Left) Gov. John Carney and Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long visited FFA & 4-H agricultural displays on Governor’s Day at the Fair. (Right, L to R) Karli Abbott, 2024 Delaware Watermelon Queen; Nova Gaffney, Miss Delaware 2024; Vanessa Gaines, 2024 Delaware Peach Queen; and Natalie Armstrong, 2024 Delaware Dairy Princess.

2024 Delaware State Fair

A Great Event Filled with STEM Displays & Activities!

A tour of the Delaware State Fair proved you can find STEM in our state’s largest industry, Food and Ag, alongside many products and technologies.

The fair offered a variety of exhibits focusing on agriculture, livestock and technology. Many exhibits included hands-on activities that were both fun and educational.

STEM was very visible in FFA, 4-H and DNREC exhibits and award walls. UD, DSU, DTCC and DFSME exhibits highlighted STEM as well.

 “STEM Is Everywhere at the State Fair”

Announcing our DFSME State Fair Contest Winners and their Entries!

First Place Winner

ABBY MAST | 11th Grade | Veritas Scholars Academy

Abby won $250 for her “STEM is Everywhere at the State Fair” entry:

One of the Delaware State Fair competitions is the Horse Judging contest. 4-H and FFA members were given 5 classes of horses to judge and analyze. I needed to look carefully at each horse’s conformation and movement, both in halter and under saddle classes. As a 4-H judge, I saw many examples of STEM.

In looking at the way each a horse in the halter class was put together, I could see a lot of geometry. Many of the horses were well-balanced and very proportional, meaning that every part of their body fit together in a certain way. They could be divided into roughly three equal parts – hindquarters, barrel, and shoulders. I was able to use math proportions to figure out which horses had the best neck, shoulder, or back by visualizing various lines and angles. The science of it all is fascinating. It was amazing to see how I could participate in one contest and still find so many examples of STEM.

Second Place Winner

SOPHIA MAST | 6th Grade | Veritas Scholars Academy

Sophia won $100 for her “STEM is Everywhere at the State Fair” essay:

This photo was taken in the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control building at the 2024 Delaware State Fair. It is related to science because the Gray Fox lives in the wild.

It is fun to learn facts about foxes. For instance, the Gray Fox can climb trees like cats. Foxes are part of the dog family even though they have many things in common with cats. It is interesting how cute and small fox cubs are, but when they get older, they grow stronger, faster, and even vicious at times. Some people think foxes can be tamed, but they will always have the wild instincts of their ancestors.

The DNREC building has different types of stuffed birds and wildlife including the fox and different bird eggs. This building is one of my favorite places because there are animals to see, tank fish to admire, and sea stars to pet. All the wildlife in this building are unique in their own way. This year, I saw new fish and learned all about the horseshoe crab and the pipefish, and that pipefish are related to the seahorse. I also saw my first hummingbird egg. I love wildlife and fish so much. That is why I love visiting this building each year.

In-Service PD Day Event • Register Now!

STEM Equity in ACTION Day

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 

Free! Exclusive Educator Tours of Delaware Businesses

This one-day event offers exclusive access to leading STEM companies across Kent, New Castle and Sussex counties, empowering you to bring real-world STEM Equity applications back to your classroom.

This is your chance to witness cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices in diverse STEM fields, network with industry professionals, gain insights into current industry trends, and discover how these advancements can inspire and enhance your teaching.

Register now to explore TWO top-tier STEM business facilities!

To check out the statewide Company listing, click here.

The day is structured into a three-hour Morning Session (8:30-11:30) and a three-hour Afternoon Session 12:30-3:30), ensuring an in-depth look at each location. Teachers will earn 3 clock hours per session. Complementary light breakfast and boxed lunches will be provided.

Teachers can register through PDMS Course #42684, STEM Equity in Action Day.

Register for one Morning Session and one Afternoon Session.

The STEM Equity in Action Day is open to ALL Delaware educators, including those in private and home education. Educators who do not have access to PDMS should contact Tonyea Mead directly at ercomead@aol.com to register for the event.

You’ll have one hour to get from your morning session to your afternoon session. Transportation is on your own. There is no transportation reimbursement. Follow safety guidelines from the businesses you will be visiting.

Save the Date! November 2, 2024

For Math Educators, Coaches,

Specialists, Administrators, Future Math Educators,

Parents, & Members of the Community

The DE Math Equity Conference engages PK20 educators, policy makers, and business leaders in meaningful learning experiences that are designed to leverage their capacity as agents of change. Sessions leaders include highly respected local and national leaders who will engage participants in conversations and learning focused on positively influencing and impacting classroom and systems level equity challenges in mathematics education.

LOCATION

This year's in-person conference will be hosted in Dover, DE.

Additional details regarding the program & PDMS registration will follow prior to the event.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

STRAND ONE

Promoting Equitable Teaching in the STEM Classroom

STRAND TWO

Empowering Leaders: Supporting Access & Deeper Learning for All

STRAND THREE

Addressing Systemic Equity Challenges in PK-12 and Higher Education Mathematics

Delaware Students Win Big at

National Career and Tech Competitions

Congrats to the hundreds of Delaware students who won awards this summer at National Career & Technical Student Organization competitions across the country!

Delaware Students Excel at

National STEM Conference

Nearly 150 Delaware students showcased their skills and creativity at the National Technology Student Association (TSA) in Orlando. This conference celebrates the continuous advancement and innovation of youth pursuing STEM careers. Delaware students achieved seven notable Top 10 placements across technical and professional competitive events. >> READ MORE

SkillsUSA Students Earn

National Recognition

Sixty-eight Delaware SkillsUSA high school students participated in events involving construction trades, video broadcasting, graphic arts, automotive trades, and leadership skills at the 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta. The National SkillsUSA Board of Directors recognized the First State for growing registration, which almost doubled from the 2023 school year. >> READ MORE

Future Health Professionals Bring Home Honors

More than 140 students and advisors from across Delaware represented the First State at the 47th Annual International HOSA-Future Health Professionals Leadership Conference in Houston. Competitive events included: medical math, public health, behavioral health, community awareness, and more.



Through Delaware HOSA-Future Health Professionals, members have the opportunity to participate in career-focused competitive events, take part in community service work, and become leaders for the organization in their school, state, and at the international level. >> READ MORE

Smyrna Future Educators Bring Home Second Consecutive National Win

Smyrna High School was named the national champion at this year’s Educators Rising conference in Washington D.C. – the second consecutive national win and the first time any team has won two years in a row. Also for the second year in a row, 36 percent of the individuals/teams from Delaware placed in the Top 10. >> READ MORE



Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) promote career excellence, leadership, and citizenship for students involved in Delaware career and technical education (CTE) programs, such as those offered through Delaware Pathways. The Delaware Department of Education requires CTSOs be integrated into all high-quality CTE programs.

Delaware Students Recognized as

Young Environmentalists of the Year

DNREC’s Young Environmentalists for 2024 were recognized during Governor’s Day at the Delaware State Fair by Gov. John Carney.

(Pictured L to R): DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin; Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Young Environmentalist honorees Charli Rose Evans and Melisa Velasquez, and Gov. Carney.

Photos courtesy of DNREC

Winners of the 2024 Delaware Natural Resources Police Youth Fishing Tournament were honored during Governor’s Day at the Delaware State Fair by Gov. John Carney. (Pictured L to R): DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, winners Brice Wise, Thomas Sweeney-Jones and Brody Spencer, and Gov. Carney.

To read the full article at news.delaware.gov, click here.

Tech Council Prepares Strategic Plan Launch

Officially spinning off from the Rodel Foundation, the Tech Council of Delaware has now turned its eyes to an independent future and is preparing to roll out a plan to guide its next steps for the next three years. The Tech Council of Delaware’s new vision is to advocate for and sustain a strong and inclusive tech workforce in Delaware to ensure a thriving economy and equitable career opportunities for all Delawareans. 

“We want the Delaware workforce to have the skills and the preparedness

to apply and compete for high-quality jobs and increase their quality of life…

We want to see Delaware have a thriving, vibrant tech ecosystem.”

– Zakiyyah Ali, Executive Director, Tech Council of Delaware

The three core focus areas outlined in the strategic plan include tech talent development and economic mobility, advocacy, and professional network development. The plan also supports development of workforce programs to get Delawareans ready for high-quality, high-paying tech jobs, as well as developing a network between workers and possible employers and recruiters to develop a pipeline. >> READ MORE / Delaware Business Times

The Congressional App Challenge is Open!

Deadline to Register and Complete the App is Oct 24, 2024

Calling all middle and high school teachers! If your students are into coding, computer science, technology, and love creating their own apps, encourage them to enter the Congressional App Challenge! Each year, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester’s office participates in the Congressional App Challenge to help encourage middle and high school age students to get involved in the STEM field. Participation in the Challenge has grown exponentially and has reached underserved, diverse, and rural student populations.

Students can use any programming language and any platform such as PC, web, tablet, robot, mobile, etc. There are no limits on application, theme or topic. The competition is open to all DE middle & high school student in teams of up to four.

Winning teams are invited to Capitol Hill to demo their apps to their Representatives at a celebration called #HOUSEOFCODE.

For details, visit the official Congressional App Challenge website and click here.

Deadline to register and complete the app is Oct. 24, 2024. To register, click here.

Check Out this

FREE Ag Resource!

The Agriscience Discovery Zone is a free resource created to engage, inform, and inspire high school-level students to increase the number who pursue careers in the field of agriscience. Developed in partnership with Corteva Agriscience, the Discovery Zone presents carefully curated, informative, and engaging content in the form of challenges and activities, career profiles, videos and documentaries, and career eBooks.

Educators can expose students to the variety of career pathways in Agriscience and how they can make a difference in the world through Food and Agriculture. To download, click here.

Free eBook by STEMconnector

Food & Agriculture is STEM

With a global food shortage expecting to double in demand over the next few years, the food and agriculture industry faces some significant challenges. Possibly an even greater challenge is having a robust and diverse STEM talent pool to address the global issues of food production and sustainability.

In this eBook, we explore the crossroads of STEM in food and agriculture, shining a light on careers and pathways to engage and inspire the next generation to consider opportunities in the food and agriculture industry. We’re talking drone bees, autonomous tractors and robots. Although it sounds like sci-fi, these are real technologies helping farmers improve production and solve the global food shortage.

To download your FREE eBook by STEMconnector, click here.

August's Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honoree

Myoshi Aubain currently leads global supply chain and operations for DuPont Industrial Solutions. With over 20 years at the company, she is an asset for strategic planning initiatives, and is called upon to help challenged facilities identify opportunities for growth and change.

Myoshi encourages underrepresented children and teens to pursue careers in STEM, and serves on the Delaware State University and University of Delaware Dual Degree Task Force.

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.

 Applications are Open!

10th Delaware STEM Educator Awards

Award Application Deadline Sept 6

Apply Now! 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 first-place winning teachers or team of teachers.

For more information about the DE STEM Educator Awards, click here.

For questions, contact Daniel Suchenski, Delaware STEM Council Executive Director at:

Contact Delaware STEM - Delaware STEM Council.

To learn more about the 9th Award Winners, please read this article covering the

November 2023 Award Winners – Delaware STEM Council.

Delaware Farm Facts

According to the USDA’s most recent Census of Agriculture, Delaware has 2,158 farms with a market value of agricultural products sold totaling more than $2.1 billion. Delaware Farms have an average farm size of approximately 242 acres and make up a total of 522,834 acres of farmland.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture data was released in February 2024 and is the most recent census data available.

Registration Open! • September 10

STEM Equity in Action Day

Exclusive Educator Tours of Delaware Businesses

Teachers can choose to spend their Sept. 10th professional learning in-service day

exploring up to two STEM businesses in Delaware for morning & afternoon sessions.

See how real-world Equity applies in these STEM companies!

Credit hours will be given.

For the listing of businesses and PDMS registration info, click here.

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

 ……………………………………………………………

September 26 • 9am-5:30pm

Inspiring Women in STEM Conference 2024

Hosted by DelawareBio. 2024 Fireside Chat Speakers include Pearl Pugh, president of

neuroscience at Johnson & Johnson and Lo Li Carper managing vice president of Capital One.

The Inspiring Women in STEM Conference is the

leading professional development and networking event in DE designed to

encourage, support, and inspire women in all aspects of STEM in their professional lives.

Deerfield Golf Club, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark DE 19711. To register, click here.

  ……………………………………………………………

Now through October 24

Congressional App Challenge is Open!

Start your projects now! Create an “app” for desktop, web, tablet, mobile, or other devices.

The competition is open to all DE middle & high school student in teams of up to four.

Deadline to register and complete the app is Oct 24, 2024.

For details, please visit the official Congressional App Challenge.

For more info, click here. To register, click here.

 ……………………………………………………………

October 22 • 9am

JA Job Shadow at Delmarva Power

Hosted by Junior Achievement

The JA Job Shadow at Delmarva Power focuses on exploring

and understanding careers at Delmarva Power.

Delmarva Power Conference Center

For registration, contact Denise.Christiansen@ja.org.

 ……………………………………………………………

NEW Save the Date! November 2

Delaware Math Equity Conference

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

The DE Math Equity Conference engages PK20 educators, policy makers,

and business leaders in meaningful learning experiences designed

to leverage their capacity as agents of change. Sessions leaders include

highly respected local & national leaders who will engage participants

in conversations and learning focused on positively influencing and impacting

classroom and systems level equity challenges in mathematics education.

This year's in-person conference will be hosted in Dover, DE.

Additional details regarding the program will be provided prior to the event.

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

For agenda, conference schedule and to register, click here.

……………………………………………………………

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!

Application Deadline: September 6, 2024.

For more information, click here.

……………………………………………………………

November 8

National STEM/STEAM Day

November 8th is the day we come together to celebrate the incredible world of

science, technology, engineering, and math education.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to plan an engaging and fun-filled STEM activity,

and igniting the passion of future STEM professionals.

For 50 STEM Activities for kids of all ages & interests, click here.

……………………………………………………………

Save the Date! February 28, 2025

The 6th annual YES! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit

FREE! Bigger and even better this year!

Planned by students, the 2025 YES! Summit will be held at Chase Center at the Riverfront.

Free for Delaware high school students and educators who are advisors to school teams.

Students explore the most pressing state, national and global environmental issues

and engage in steps they can take on campus and beyond.

We welcome ALL Delaware schools to participate!

For more information, click here.

To register: PDMS #42678 The 6th Annual Yes! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit

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 | Delmarva Power | 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.