Celebrating 30 Years of Education in DE

To kick off our 30th Anniversary celebration, we would like to shine a light on how Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME) began!

In 1992, the Delaware business community, education system, and the legislature committed to a standards-based education process in our public school system. They championed the need for high standards for science, math, language arts, and social studies. Recognizing that educational reform is generational, the corporate community decided to stay involved for the long haul.

DFSME grew from this commitment. Formed in 1995, DFSME has orchestrated effective systemic reform in science and math education in Delaware’s public schools. DFSME first focused on science reform, serving as fiscal agent for a $6MM National Science Foundation (NSF) grant piloting Smithsonian Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER). The curriculum, which became known as Smithsonian Science, was adopted by all the state’s districts.

In the mid-2000s, DFSME continued supporting science, particularly the updating of units to include new discoveries and incorporate new technology and methodologies. But we also began to turn our attention to math, identifying and piloting an international math program and supporting several math initiatives throughout the state.

At the same time, the nation was growing aware of the increasing importance of technology and engineering to remain competitive on the world stage. While its definition of science always included these topics, DFSME expanded its embrace to include the specific activities that, for the two decades, have been referred to as “STEM”— science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. DFSME has since worked diligently to raise awareness of the broad variety of STEM fields, STEM education, and STEM careers.

— Jon Manon, President

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME)

We Hope You Enjoy This Edition!

Delaware Educators! Please Join Us!

Friday, October 10, 2025

and/or One Afternoon Session (12:30-3:30pm)

Complementary light breakfast & boxed lunches will be provided.

Teachers will earn 3 clock hours per session. In-Service Professional Development Hours credited by DOE.

Delaware Educators! This unparalleled Professional Development opportunity offers exclusive access and behind-the-scenes tours of leading statewide STEM businesses, empowering you to bring real-world STEM applications back to your classroom. 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.

Click here for the 2025 STEM ConnectED Flyer.

To be a Business Host and/or Sponsor, contact Ryan@DFSME.org.

For a Business Host info Flyer, click here.

Delaware Farm to School Programs Strengthen

Education & Nutrition

Delaware Farm to School Program connects students with fresh, healthy, local food while supporting Delaware farmers and food producers. Through local food purchasing, hands-on education and community engagement, students learn where their food comes from and how to make informed food choices while schools help grow the local economy.

Colonial School District & Historic Penn Farm New Castle, DE

Students enrolled in the agriculture pathway play an active role in every stage of production – from crop planning and greenhouse propagation to field planting and harvesting. Harvests are integrated directly into school meals with Nutrition Services staff processing farm-grown produce to ensure students have access to fresh, local ingredients throughout the year. By planting seeds of knowledge and nourishing students with food they helped grow, the Colonial School District is cultivating not just healthier meals, but a community focused on sustainability and stewardship. To learn more, click here.

Smyrna School District Serves Up Local Success

Smyrna School District continues to lead by example when it comes to integrating local agriculture into school meals. Through creative procurement strategies, strong community partnerships, and a deep-rooted commitment to student wellness, Smyrna shows how a thoughtful Farm to School approach can transform the cafeteria and the community. Fresh fruits and vegetables from Delaware farms are served directly in Child Nutrition Program meals. Through a partnership with the district Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter and Fork Farms hydroponic systems, fresh produce is grown right in the cafeteria. To learn more, click here.

Seaford High School Brings Farm to School to Life

Fresh greens and herbs grown by Future Farmers of America (FFA) students are marketed and served in the high school cafeteria. Farm to School practices are embedded across classrooms and cafeterias, reinforcing healthy habits and real-world learning. Students engage in hands-on agriculture in meaningful, career-connected work through the school’s agriculture science program. To learn more, click here.

For more information about the K-12 Delaware Farm to School Program, click here.

First State TSA Students Earn National Honors Showcasing

CTE Success at 2025 Conference

Delaware’s Technology Student Association (TSA) delegation proudly represented the First State at the 2025 National TSA Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. This year, 160 students from 17 Delaware schools competed alongside nearly 10,000 students from the U.S. and abroad in more than 65 events spanning biotechnology, cybersecurity, engineering, and emerging technologies.

Through TSA, students apply classroom learning to real-world challenges, developing skills that prepare them for college and in-demand careers. Their achievements reflect the support of Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) hands-on learning, industry-recognized credentials, and early postsecondary opportunities.

Competitions included Architectural Design, Biotechnology Design, CAD Architecture, CAD Engineering, Career Prep, Coding, Cybersecurity, Data Science and Analytics, Engineering Design, Forensic Science, Geospatial Technology, Inventions & Innovations, Leadership Strategies, Manufacturing Prototype, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Technology, Problem Solving, Robotics, Software Development, STEM Animation, Structural Design and Engineering, System Control Technology, Technology Problem Solving, Virtual Reality Simulation and more.

Delaware TSA is a Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO). It provides students with opportunities to develop leadership, STEM, and workforce skills through co-curricular activities, competitive events, and community service. Delaware TSA chapters operate in middle and high schools statewide and are open to all students in approved CTE pathways.

Click here for more information.

“The Air We Share”

Environmental Awareness Art Contest is Back!

Delaware elementary students in Grades 3-5 are invited to submit entries for The Air We Share Environmental Awareness Art Contest sponsored by the DFSME Careers, Resources, Education, And Technology for Environmental Solutions (CREATES) task team.

Design an art piece to demonstrate how our actions can make a positive impact on our community’s air quality. Things to consider are transportation, the natural environment, energy use, or anything that can improve air quality.

Individual students may submit a single entry.
Multiple students may submit a single entry.
Teachers may submit multiple works for their entire class or a team of students as a single submission.

Prizes for individual entry winners in each grade are Amazon Gift Cards:

$100 1st Place • $50 2nd Place • $25 3rd Place

For Contest details including submission process, resources, and helpful websites, click here.

Submissions must be sent via Google Form at https://tinyurl.com/mrxw246c

no later than 5 PM on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.

For questions, contact Joe Iannone at info@dfsme.org.

August's Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honoree

Shanté Hastings, PE, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation, is a leader in infrastructure, policy, and community engagement. At DelDOT for 25 years, she now oversees budgets, personnel, policy, and legislation. Among many recognitions, she was named 2024 Government Engineer of the Year by the Delaware Engineering Society. Shanté is engaged throughout the state as a board member and volunteer.

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.

Applications are Open!

11th Delaware STEM Educator Awards

Final Deadline is 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.

Unrestricted Cash Awards of up to $7,500

will be given to each first-place winning teacher or team of teachers.

Click here for more information and 2025 application.

Click here for questions, contact Daniel Suchenski, Delaware STEM Council Executive Director.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) has launched the Delaware School Safety Center (DSSC), a new initiative aimed at bolstering school safety across the state.

DEMA Launches Delaware School Safety Center

The Delaware School Safety Center (DSSC) is designed to prevent school-based incidents by preparing the education community to work with community partners to effectively mitigate and manage crises. In addition to safety planning tools, the DSSC offers specialized training for school resource officers, guidance on managing after-school events, and recommendations for improving physical school security.

The new initiative continues Delaware’s landmark achievements in school safety. Delaware was the first state to provide uniform aerial maps and digitized school blueprints (floor plans) for all 19 public school districts and charter schools to ensure rapid law enforcement response to school buildings and campuses during emergencies.

“Nothing is more important than student safety, because students learn,

and teachers are able to teach when they feel safe.

Safety doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by design.

That’s why the launch of the Delaware School Safety Center matters so much.”

— State Education Secretary Cindy Marten

The DSSC includes a newly launched website designed to serve as a centralized hub for training, resources, and best practices for educators, parents, and emergency responders. The user-friendly site offers guidance and tools for crisis response planning, threat assessment, and safety coordination.

For more info and to visit the Delaware School Safety Center website, click here.

To Our Delaware Educators, Have a Great School Year Ahead!

Now through November 21

The Air We Share Environmental Awareness Art Contest