We Are Delaware's STEM Connector!

The Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME) celebrates its 30-year anniversary of being the nexus of ALL things STEM in Delaware, connecting education, business, and government to make systemic improvements in science and math education in order to develop a STEM-skilled homegrown workforce.

We are the interface between business and K-16 educators with emphasis on real data and proven impact on the improvement of STEM education. Over the past 5 years DFSME has awarded $21,000 in Mini Grants allowing educators to provide enriched STEM experiences to thousands of students. Over the same period, DFSME has awarded $82,600 in Seed Grants, allowing educators to run pilots or replicate successful programs in new areas. We have supported professional development for over 1,000 math and science teachers.

Thank you to all educators and those who provide support for everything you do to prepare Delaware’s youth to be the leaders of tomorrow!



— Anne Pfaelzer de Ortiz, Director of Development and Operations

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education

We hope you enjoy this Edition!

Originally published in Delaware Business Magazine, May /June 2025

It all starts with a single spark. From that moment a thought erupts, expanding and dispersing like wildfire, until it forges creativity, passion, and a growing hunger for knowledge. Whether working in health research, protecting the environment, or exploring how the universe works, anyone who has shaped a career in math and science speaks fondly of the moment that brought their career vision to life.

For DFSME, nurturing that first spark for upcoming generations is key to ensuring the STEM pipeline can meet the evolving needs of the First State.

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, DFSME found its own spark when leaders from Delaware’s business, education, and legislative communities united with a commitment to a high-standard education process within public school systems. DFSME emerged from this initiative to guide impactful reform in science and math education for students from preschool through higher education.

“We identify, advocate for, and tackle gaps within the education system.

By doing this, we envision our STEM education system as a powerful tool to

attract businesses, families, and innovative educators to Delaware.”

— Randolph Guschl, Executive Director of DFSME

“Our largest focus is on STEM educators — continuing to recruit and retain teachers,” added Michelle Kutch, vice president of the DFSME board. “We do this through professional development, awards, grants, events, and other meaningful resources. How a teacher feels in the classroom is our top recruitment strategy.”

Supporting STEM educators goes beyond the traditional classroom. DFSME’s awards and grants recognize after-school teachers and other educators within communities. Their events take it a step further by bringing together business leaders and students to create new connections and reinforce the value educators provide in strengthening the STEM pipeline. Even so, DFSME faces a growing challenge: declining science instruction time in public schools...>>Read More

Top photo: DFSME leaders awarding the 2024 Shining Light Award to Jordan Estock at Concord High School. Photo inset: DFSME team members at the Delaware Youth Environmental Summit.

Charter School of Wilmington won the national 2025 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition. The Delaware high school students earned top honors after presenting their project live to a panel of judges in Washington, D.C.

Charter School of Wilmington Wins

National STEM Competition and $100K

Students from the Charter School of Wilmington have been named National Winners of the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition, taking home a $100,000 prize package for their groundbreaking healthcare innovation.

Their winning solution, the “Akqua-Gel hydrogel bandage,” tackles the state’s growing physician shortage by enabling remote wound monitoring through advanced technology. The smart bandage integrates AI-powered features, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and 3D-printed components to track key wound-healing indicators such as moisture, pH, and oxygen levels.

Linked to a mobile app, the device allows both patients and doctors to monitor wounds in real time – potentially cutting down hospital visits and easing strain on overburdened healthcare systems.

Delaware has been hit especially hard by a shortage of medical professionals, with some counties experiencing wait times for primary care that have surged nearly 200%. The students designed the AKQUA-Gel to be part of the solution, aiming to increase access to care and improve patient outcomes through smart, accessible technology.

Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition challenges students nationwide to use STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) to solve real-world problems. Delaware’s team members are Aishwarya Reddy, Asvika Gobinathan, Elaine Zuo, Anna Huang, Arya Anilkumar, Subiksha Srinivasan Vidya and Niharika Addagada, while the team is moderated by teacher Cindy Tanzer.

To watch the Charter School of Wilmington team’s project video, click here.

Article & photo courtesy TownSquare Live / Inset photo courtesy Charter School of Wilmington.

Juniors and Seniors presented their engineering projects to evaluators during the Brandywine School District’s Engineering Design Day 2025.

Brandywine Engineering Design Day

Brandywine School District high school students presented engineering projects to evaluators from UD, DelTech, Delaware Skills Center, and companies Agilent, DuPont, and Boeing. Panelists, teachers, administrators and parents attended, including Dr. Lisa Lawson, Superintendent, Concord High School.

The April event also included a Zoom gallery walk and poster session at Concord High School.

DFSME Recognizes 2021-2023 DE PAEMST Runners Up

for White House Recognition

Each award year, the State of Delaware and the federal government recognize the first place winners of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

We at Delaware Foundation for Science and Math Education feel it is also important to recognize our Delaware Runners Up, taking into consideration your outstanding efforts on behalf of your students and all the hard work involved in pursuing this prestigious award. Delaware students benefit from your diligence!

The Following Delaware Runners Up are Honored by DFSME:

Science

2021   Corey Butterfield, Colonial School District

2021   Erin Ahern, Colonial School District

2022   Jaime Swartz, Indian River School District

Mathematics

2021   Katherine Hoffecker, Appoquinimink School District

2021   Tommie Polite, Laurel School District

2022   Michele Snyder, Caesar Rodney School District

2022   Allison Van Ness, Smyrna School District

2023   Yavel Respes, Brandywine School District

2023   Scott Woodring, Appoquinimink School District

DelDOT's 6th Annual Bridge Design Competition Winners

The Delaware Department of Transportation’s 6th Annual Bridge Competition at PolyTech High School had a record number of students participate, with 161 teams comprised of nearly 500 students from 29 schools across the state.

The event is a day-long hands-on engineering competition aimed to engage students interested in STEM fields. The program is designed to encourage middle and high school students to address real-world problems and inspire them to consider careers in transportation and civil engineering. The top three finishers for each grade bracket receive scholarship money donated by the Delaware Bridge Design Competition Sponsors.

DelDOT congratulates all the teams on their efforts and recognizes

the following teams as this year’s winners:

Middle School

1st Place / JOLT / Talley Middle School

2nd Place / Big Brains / Shue-Medill Middle School

3rd Place / The A’s / Georgetown Middle School

Grades 9-10

1st Place / Golden Gate Warriors / Smyrna High School

2nd Place / BLT Balsa Salsa / Smyrna High School

3rd Place / The Studious Bunch / PolyTech High School

Grades 11-12

1st Place / The Baddest Bridges / Smyrna High School

2nd Place / KJP Builders / Caravel Academy

3rd Place / Pinnacle Princesses / Caesar Rodney High School

STEMconnector:

Harnessing Experiential Learning to Support STEM Outcomes

STEMconnector and Florida International University (FIU) hosted the Harnessing Experiential Learning to Support STEM Outcomes Innovation Lab this year in Miami, Florida, to promote synergy of how experiential learning contributes to STEM outcomes. The event explored innovative methods around experiential learning, and other engagements that support applied learning to prepare students for the workplace.



The Innovation Lab brought together experts to explore the critical role of experiential learning in STEM education and its impact on economic growth and sustainability. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions on how hands-on experiences enhance student success and workforce readiness.

Unlock exclusive insights from the Innovation Lab by downloading our comprehensive brief, featuring event highlights and essential takeaways! To download, click here.

May's Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honoree

Deanna Bledsoe, Founder and CEO of Kai Coders, is dedicated to making STEM education more accessible, especially in underserved communities by introducing hundreds of students to coding and technology. As the Delaware Treasury’s first IT director, Deanna modernized state systems and enhanced cybersecurity. Guided by the Spirit of Aloha, she continues to inspire and drive meaningful change.

Million Women Mentors is the premier network dedicated to encouraging girls and women around the world to pursue, persist and thrive in STEM careers. The Delaware STEM Council and DFSME are partners of MWM-DE.

What Does a DFSME Mini Grant Mean to Recipients?

By Erin Motley Ahern, Skyline Middle School Teacher

Words can try to describe the impact your generous Mini Grant donation made, but what really illustrates it is what I heard when our students used microscopes that DFSME made possible:

"Oh my gosh! What IS that?

Wow. You mean, those things are alive?"

Students were awestruck when they saw tiny creatures on a slide. They looked at their own cells under a microscope and were fascinated that they had these little blobs called cells in their bodies. Students were told about cells but actually seeing them and working the microscopes to view cells made a huge difference in conceptual understanding.

We are a public school with a high minority population (over 76%) and almost 68% of students are eligible for reduced or free lunch. I cannot change their past but I can be part of changing their future or their awareness of possible pathways to pursue as they get older. My students deserve to see what is out there for them in the STEM fields and that was made possible through your kind donation that allowed me to obtain some working microscopes that directly went to our kids.

Thank you for making a big difference through a small lens! I will be able to use them more this month in our unit and in future years to come, and most importantly, so will our students!

Do you have a STEM project but are short on funding? A Mini Grant might be what you need!

Mini Grants range from $100 to $500. For application details, click here.

To download the DFSME Mini Grants flyer, click here.

May 29 • 9am-1pm

FREE! Career Resource and Energy Education Showcase

Delmarva Power hosts this job fair showcasing energy career opportunities

with local employers, along with interview possibilities.

Learn resume writing and interview preparation to help make a strong impression.

Resources for energy assistance and community support also available.

Delaware State University Riverfront. To RSVP, click here.

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June 17-18 • 8am-4pm

1st Annual Educator Symposium 2025

Hosted by the Wilmington Learning Collaborative, this year’s theme is “Transforming Tomorrow”.

The Symposium brings together school leaders, educators, and community partners

across Wilmington & surrounding areas to build the tools needed for a successful school year.

Chase Center on the Riverfront.

For more info, please contact Jessica Ka at jessica@wlc-de.org.

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Save the Date! October 10

STEM ConnectED Day 2025:

Linking Delaware Education and Innovation, hosted by DFSME

Teachers! FREE Exclusive Educator Tours of Delaware Businesses!

This unique professional development one-day event offers exclusive access

to leading STEM companies across Kent, New Castle and Sussex counties,

empowering you to bring real-world STEM opportunities back to your classroom.

Network with industry professionals, gain insights into current industry trends,

and discover how these advancements can inspire and enhance your teaching.

To download the flyer, click here.

Businesses interested in hosting your company, for details click here.

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Save the Date! November 13, 2025

The 11th 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!

For more information about the 2024 DE STEM Educator Awards, click here.

To register for the 2025 DE STEM Educator Awards online, click here.

For a downloadable application for the 2025 DE STEM Educator Awards, click here.

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Save the Date! February 20, 2026

The 7th Annual YES! Delaware Youth Environmental Summit

Planned by students, the 2025 YES! Summit is 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.

DFSME thanks the following organizations for contributions to STEM education in Delaware.

STEM Legacy

DuPont | LabWare

STEM Heritage

Ashland

STEM Sustainer

Bloom Energy | Mountaire Farms | Verizon

STEM Network

Croda | Delmarva Power | Walmart



STEM Business

Agilent Technologies | American Chemical Society Delaware Section

Autumn Arch | Chesapeake Utilities | Incyte

STEM Gifts in Kind

ChristianaCare | Corteva Agriscience | DelawareBio

Delaware Design Company | Delaware Nature Society | Delaware Technical Community College

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | EDiS

Junior Achievement | STEMconnector | Stroud Water Research Center | Whisman Giordano & Associates

Community Partners

Career and Technical Education Cadre | Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation

Delaware Afterschool Network | Delaware Department of Education | Delaware Math Coalition

Delaware Pathways | Delaware Science Coalition | Delaware STEM Council

Goldey-Beacom College | Healthy Food for Healthy Kids | Million Women Mentors

Northrop Grumman | University of Delaware



Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education

100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612 

Wilmington, DE 19801 

Tel: 302.397.0034 | Fax: 302.397.0036 

Email: info@dfsme.org

www.dfsme.org

©2025 Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education

501(c)(3) Education nonprofit dealing with K-16 STEM education in Delaware schools.