iDEa: What Will Your Students Be Learning Next

Amazing Professional Development Opportunity!

Teachers! Fun way to earn credit hours this month!

The Delaware Foundation for Science & Mathematics Education is pleased to partner with the Technology Forum of Delaware for this year's iDEa Conference: Emerging Industries in BlueTech and Photonics, on Tuesday, July 28th, from 4-7pm at Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware.

Designed to be accessible to educators of all backgrounds, the conference will explore how BlueTech and Photonics are shaping innovation, workforce needs, and future STEM career pathways across Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic. Participants will learn directly from leaders in government, higher education, research, and industry as they explore the technologies, workforce trends, and educational opportunities shaping these emerging industries.

Conference Speakers Include:

• Lt. Governor Kyle Evans-Gay

• Dr. Jason Gorman, NIST

• Dr. Tod Sizer, Nokia Bell Labs

• Dr. Dylan Temple, Integer

• Dr. Christine Galib, Princeton University

• Dr. Tingyi Gu, University of Delaware

• Dr. Dennis Prather, Phase Sensitive Innovations

• Dr. Hjalti Skulason, Qnity

• Dr. Rob Chimenti, Rowan University

Attendees will earn Professional Development Hours in PDMS. (Course #44491; Section #92389)

Click here to download informational flyer.

Thank You iDEa Conference Sponsors!

Educators! Registration Opens July 28th

September 15, 2026

Statewide Professional Development Day

Two Sessions: Morning 8:30-11:30 & Afternoon 12:30-3:30

What To Expect During Your STEM ConnectED Day:

• Exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours of local STEM businesses and organizations.

• Meet innovators and witness real-world STEM in action.

• Make new connections and discover ways to empower your students.

• Earn Free Professional Development Hours, credited by DDOE.

Teachers! Click Here for Event Details

A “Top Workplaces Delaware Award” Recipient

Employees’ contributions are the foundation for Chesapeake Utilities’ success. For 12 consecutive years, Chesapeake Utilities has received a Top Workplace in Delaware designation and has been recognized as a Top Workplace on a national level for the past three years. For more than 160 years, Chesapeake Utilities has been making communities better, and is committed to continue doing so now, and for the future.

Through companywide programs, STEM professionals and employees dedicate time to making a positive impact on students’ lives by offering inspiration and guidance. Chesapeake Utilities is dedicated to nurturing careers and fostering growth while providing an environment of innovation and a spirit of collaboration.

During last year's DFSME’s STEM ConnectED Day, teachers who chose the dynamic world of energy with Chesapeake Utilities Corporation were welcomed into the world of natural gas and propane distribution, electricity generation, mobile compressed natural gas solutions, and emerging renewable energy across nine states. Participants learned about available careers in operations, engineering, construction, renewables, and business development to share with their students.

You Can Help DFSME Recognize Outstanding Teachers

Nominate a Shining Light Awardee!

The DFSME “Shining Light Award” recognizes outstanding examples of the excellence of Delaware STEM formal, informal or community educators. Every day—in classrooms and programs throughout the state— these individuals quietly go about enabling young learners to be informed citizens in an increasingly complex world. They prepare their students to be competitive in the ever-changing global workforce and to be the problem-solvers of the next generation.

These are the fine individuals who kindle a spark in students and who serve as a model among peers. We are pleased to recognize these superlative individuals! Help us recognize those Delaware STEM educators who deserve recognition by nominating them today. They can be from formal, informal, or community sectors, but their focus must be on STEM.

2026 Shining Light Awardees:

Megan Dempsey-Byler, Math Specialist

W.B. Simpson Elementary School

Angel (Renee) Allen, CTE Physical Therapy & Athletic Healthcare Educator

Conrad Schools of Science

Lindsey Louisignau, Science & Literacy Educator

Baltz Elementary School

Chelina Tingle, Mathematics & Science Educator

Selbyville Middle School

Sandra Begor, Mathematics & Science Educator

Nellie Stokes Elementary School

Honorees receive an award, a $100 gift card and a Mini Maglite courtesy of Chesapeake Utilities,
a Program Sponsor. C lick here for the nomination form. Send to Submissions@dfsme.org.

Become A DFSME Shining Light Program Sponsor!

This is your chance to be recognized as a supporter of teacher leaders in STEM education!
As a Program Sponsor, you'll receive monthly recognition.
Email at Em@dfsme.org for details. Click here to learn more.

Thank You DFSME Sponsors!

July’s Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honorees

Marie Burns & Lucy Xu are talented and driven civil engineers whose work helps ensure the safety of Delaware’s traveling public. As Project Engineers in Bridge Design at the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), they combine technical excellence with creativity and commitment to STEM outreach. Through their work organizing the Delaware Bridge Design Competition, they helped grow the event from 32 students in 2018 to almost 500 in 2025-2026. They have been recognized with DelDOT’s 2024 Team of the Year Award, as well as the Governor's 2024 Team Excellence Awards for environmental education across the state.

“We hope to inspire the next generation of female engineers!”

— Marie Burns and Lucy Xu

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 Foundation for Science and Math Education is the fiscal agent of Million Women Mentors – Delaware.

If you or your company would like to make a financial donation to any of our Programs,

please scan the QR Code below or click here. Thank you!

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education

100 W. 10th Street, Suite 612 • Wilmington, DE 19801

302.397.0034 • info@dfsme.org

www.dfsme.org

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