DFSME NEWS arrives at our five-year milestone publication! In that time, our audience reach has cascaded upward to over 2,600 educators and business community members. The DFSME staff thanks our readers for the many shout outs we have received in regard to our pursuit of preparing EVERY student in Delaware for a STEM-based workforce with improved effectiveness in STEM education.

As this school year ends, in this issue we share summer learning opportunities, and fun family events. Also, summer is the time to start working on your application for the Delaware STEM Educator Awards. The Delaware STEM Council presents generous, unrestricted cash awards of up to $7500 and a ceremony in the fall for honorees.

For those of you who know her, Anne Pfaelzer de Ortiz reaches her 20-year milestone with DFSME. Anne retires this month and we wish her the best in her next chapter!



“As I retire, and reflect over my 20 years with DFSME,

the most rewarding part of my work has been with teachers

because of their enthusiasm, perseverance, creativity, and dedication

to helping Delaware's students grow and attain better lives.”

— Anne Pfaelzer de Ortiz, Director of Development and Operations

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME)

We hope you enjoy this Edition!

Charter School of Wilmington has won the national 2025 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition. Team members include Aishwarya Reddy, Asvika Gobinathan, Elaine Zuo, Anna Huang, Arya Anilkumar, Subiksha Srinivasan Vidya, and Niharika Addagada with Dr. Reginald Johnson, President and Dr. Maura Triebenbacher, Vice President. The team is moderated by math and National Board Certified Teacher, Mrs. Cindy Tanzer.

Bloom Energy Hosts National STEM Champions from Charter School of Wilmington

On June 5th, Bloom Energy proudly welcomed the award-winning team from the Charter School of Wilmington, winners of the nationwide Samsung Solve for Tomorrow® Competition. The team created the AKQUA-Gel bandage that enables real-time monitoring of wound healing, reducing the need for doctor visits. The students toured the manufacturing facility, shared their project with representatives from the engineering team, and participated in a STEM career Q&A session.

During the visit, students and Bloom’s engineers engaged in thoughtful discussions on innovation and industry challenges. Themes such as continuous improvement, the non-linearity of progress, the power of “&” and obstacles encountered when disrupting an industry were explored. These themes, integral to Bloom Energy's daily operations, were exemplified by the students' project.

Bloom Energy’s initiative to host these students underscores its commitment to encouraging STEM education and advocating for great awareness and engagement in the energy and environmental sectors. By providing students with firsthand exposure to real-world applications and industry challenges, Bloom Energy aims to stimulate student involvement in STEM fields, particularly those related to sustainable energy solutions.

The Bloom team was deeply impressed not only by the project but also by the students themselves. Their visit demonstrated how a strong STEM education can foster both technical expertise and essential soft skills needed to succeed in the future workforce.

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

The “Breaking into STEAM” Career Fair was held at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in May. Photo below: The DFSME and Million Women Mentors hosted a Careers Table displaying STEAM career opportunities and STEM stickers.

Middle Schoolers Got their Own

STEAM Job Fair to Jumpstart their Careers

Employers want a future workforce that has STEAM skills…

At the “Breaking into STEAM” Career Fair for middle school students at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, employers and other advocates from all over the state came together to get kids interested in STEAM careers early. Over 400 students from four schools attended and 40 careers were presented. The students overwhelmingly liked the hands-on activities and giveaways.



Exposing kids to STEAM earlier opens up more opportunities.

While it may be too soon for sixth and seventh graders to fully make a decision about their future careers, finding areas of interest in science and technology can help with selecting high school pathways. That can potentially lead them to becoming the future workforce with STEAM skills employers want.

Tables like DFSME's, laden with information, demos and the ever-important pile of free stickers, were set up all over the museum, from the PaleoZone to the Bald Cypress Swamp.

Middle schoolers are an often-overlooked demographic, but a consensus emerged from the adult participants: Kids need to know what STEAM career opportunities Delaware offers, and they need to know earlier.

Peter Kelly, surrounded by his 7th grade science students, was honored with this month’s DFSME Shining Light Award. The presentation coincided with Brandywine Springs School celebration of Earth Day. Pictured far left is Nora Wilford, Assistant Principal, and sixth from the right is Randy Guschl, Executive Director, DFSME.

DFSME's June Shining Light Award

Honors Peter Kelly, Science Educator

Peter Kelly is a middle school science teacher at Brandywine Springs School in the Red Clay School District. He is the light that shines on everyone else to make stronger educators, solution-focused collaborators and more empowered students. His energy is apparent to all the students who have learned both inside and outside of his classroom, and educators who have been part of his professional development opportunities related to STEM and Science.

Peter motivates our youth to learn more and grow through their achievements. He is a trailblazer who has historically been involved with improving Delaware environmental education in the face of ever-changing standards and challenges. He has produced high-quality projects such as his plant growth data tracking website, led by students.

Peter teaches and mentors science educators in Red Clay School district as well. Parents of students consistently compliment him about his effectiveness. He is never about shining a light on himself – he is always helping others find their own sparkle.

Among exemplary highlights, Peter has won the 2024 Delaware Association for Environmental Education Healthy Innovation Award for Excellence and numerous recognitions for his plant science data collection. He is part of Red Clay's Delaware Science Olympiad board of organizers. He is the District Science Chair who helps to plan and facilitate district-wide professional developments. He is also on the Delaware Teachers of Science Leadership Committee.

We are pleased to recognize Peter Kelly as a Superlative Educator!

Peter was nominated by Erin Ahern, Red Clay School District.

Delaware Honors 2024 AP Schools of Access & Excellence

The Delaware Department of Education, in partnership with the College Board, celebrated schools across the state with the Delaware AP School of Access and Excellence Award for their outstanding work in both expanding Advanced Placement (AP) access and supporting student success.

The honored schools have demonstrated a strong college-going culture by:

• Opening AP opportunities to a more diverse range of students,

• Supporting those students to succeed and earn college credit, and

• Ensuring inclusive access to rigorous coursework that prepares all learners for life beyond high school.

2024 Awarded Schools:

• Cab Calloway School of the Arts

Known for combining academic excellence with creativity, Cab Calloway has expanded its AP program while maintaining high achievement across disciplines.

• Caesar Rodney High School

With strategic outreach and student support, Caesar Rodney has grown AP access and improved performance, demonstrating the power of intentional effort.

Charter School of Wilmington

• A consistent leader in academic achievement, CSW continues to provide broad access to AP courses and high levels of student success.

• MOT Charter School

MOT offers a wide range of AP options and fosters student achievement through personalized pathways and academic guidance.

• Sussex Academy

Focused on student-centered learning, Sussex Academy continues to expand its AP program and prepare southern Delaware students for college success.

The celebration featured remarks from 2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year Shelby Borst, Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, and student speaker Marcos Salvador-Riera from Cab Calloway School of the Arts.

Congratulations to all the 2024 awardees

for advancing excellence and equity in AP education!

DECA Students Excel on the National Stage!

Delaware DECA had its largest student delegation in a decade at the 2025 DECA International Career Development Conference, held April 26–29 in Orlando, Florida. Eighty-seven students and advisors attended, and 25 students earned Certificates of Excellence, doubling our recent record. These awards reflect high scores in both testing and presentations.

Save the Date for Fall Statewide CTE Professional Development Day: October 10, 2025.

For more information contact Andrea Keen, DECA State Advisor, Andrea.Keen@doe.k12.de.us.  

Marten Honors 96 Students

as 2025 Secretary of Education Scholars

Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, alongside Governor Matt Meyer and other state leaders, celebrated 96 exceptional public school students from the Class of 2025 during a special dinner in Dover. These students were honored as Secretary of Education Scholars, a prestigious recognition given to those who have shown excellence.

“These students are leaders in and out of the classroom. They are excelling —

often in college-level courses — while leading school clubs, sports team, musical ensembles

and community service projects. They balance their studies while working part-time

and volunteering in their communities. I am inspired by each and every one of them.

I especially loved hearing their self-reflections on what inspired their success,

which often pointed to the family members, educators and peers who supported them.”

— Cindy Marten, Delaware Secretary of Education

Click here to view the list of all 96 scholars.

Click here to watch a VIDEO showcasing the students and their self-reflections.

June's Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honoree

Jeannie Epps, Ph.D. is Director of Applied Technology & Evaluation at Terumo Medical Corporation where she drives key initiatives in sustainability, compliance, and biomaterials testing. Her efforts have fostered a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. As a founding member of the University of Delaware’s Biomedical Engineering Department, Jeannie led the design and implementation of the undergraduate curriculum.

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 in the event along with MWM-DE and the Office of the Governor, State of Delaware.

Planting a Pollinator Garden – Dig In!

DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife

Who doesn’t look forward to the bounty of spring and summer in Delaware – delicious, fresh strawberries, asparagus and tomatoes, to name a few. The production of these First State summer staples is the result of pollination. Plants need pollinators – insects and animals – to produce fruit, vegetables and nuts. Insects, especially bees, move the pollen from one plant to another allowing them to produce the food we eat.

In fact, one in three bites of the food we consume comes from a pollinated source, according to the National Wildlife Federation. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture says almost all of the world’s seed plants need to be pollinated. So without pollinators, we humans and all of the earth’s terrestrial ecosystems would not survive.

What can we do to help our pollinators? A huge step is to plant a pollinator garden, especially one with plants native to Delaware. To learn about preparation, best plant species for Delaware, what kinds of pollinators these species attract and how to take the first step, click here.

Smithsonian Summer Camp

June 16 through August 15

Smithsonian Summer Camp offers one-of-a-kind learning experiences that spark the imagination and engages campers with Smithsonian museums, their exhibits, and plentiful themes. Hands-on fun! Discover themes including climate, botany, ocean life, rainforest research, space, science of art, design, history, and more.

 Camps fill up fast! For more information and to register, click here.

Applications are Open!

11th Delaware STEM Educator Awards

Section 1 is due by Aug. 15  •  Section 2 is due by Sept. 30

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 awarded to first-place winning teachers or team of teachers.

For more information and 2025 application, click here.

June 1-30

National Zoo and Aquarium Month

During the month of June, individuals are encouraged to learn about animals

and marine life, and to seek out educational programs to make learning fun.

Did you know that the first zoo in America was the Philadelphia Zoo that opened in 1874?

For more history and facts about this celebration, click here.

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Now through September 28

Longwood Gardens “Festival of the Fountains”

Celebrate summer at Longwood Gardens, renowned for its extraordinary fountains

and the complex feat of engineering it takes to operate.

Enjoy the thrill of what 1,719 jets can do!

To explore the largest fountain garden in the U.S. inside & out on the tour

“Under the Fountains” and other upcoming Fountain Events, 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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June 21 • 10am-2pm

Delaware Museum of Nature & Science Family Fun Day

Get outdoors for a fun family day with a variety of activities in the museum’s backyard.

Live birds interaction 10:30am-12:30pm.

Face painting 10am-2pm. Event is outside, weather permitting.

Free for members, included with admission for non-members.

Pre-registration is requested, a ticket for this event includes General Admission for the day.

Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. To register, click here.

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June 28 • 11am-3pm

Hagley Museum Science Saturday: Here Comes the Sun

Learn about the Summer Solstice and why we have different amounts of daylight

throughout the year. Create your own model of the sun & earth!

Presented by Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP

200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, DE 19807

For ticket info for this and other Hagley Science Saturday themes, click here.

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July 17 • 6pm-8pm

Tech Forum Summer Social

Grab a drink and chat with your fellow tech enthusiasts!

Brick Works Brewing and Eats, 230 S. Dupont Boulevard, Smyrna, DE 19977

For tickets $35, click here.

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July 17-26

The Delaware State Fair

Find STEM in our state’s largest industry, Food and Ag, alongside other products

and technologies. The Fair offers a variety of exhibits focusing on agriculture, livestock and technology, many with hands-on activities that are both fun and educational.

For details about this year’s Fair including directions & parking click here.

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August 4

Software Engineering Bootcamp

Applications are open for the next cohort beginning on 8/4!

Offered by Code Differently, your Software Engineering Career Journey starts here.

To apply for full-time virtual training Mon-Thurs, click here.

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August 5-6

CTE New Teacher Summer Institute

Join us CTE teachers! On-boarding on 8/5 and breakout sessions on 8/6.

Launch your CTE journey with tools, resources, and support for success!

To participate, please to complete the New Teacher Orientation form

and register in PDMS Course: 43535, Section: 89132 - click here.

For questions contact Michael.Hill-Shaner@doe.k12.de.us.

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August 8

Planet Earth & Beyond Family Day • 12pm-5pm

Fun family activities including rocket launching,

learning opportunities about endangered animals,

the rain forest and much more.

$5/per person (cash only), kids under 3 free.

To see the full schedule of 2025 DASEF educational events, click here. 

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Save the Date! October 10

STEM ConnectED Day 2025:

Linking Delaware Education & 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.