During our interactive STEM ConnectED Day, Delaware educators discovered the many ways in which STEM comes alive throughout our professional community. They spent their professional development day taking a peek behind-the-scenes at local STEM businesses and organizations, meeting with innovators, experiencing real-world STEM in action. The take away was an overall feeling of renewed energy and interest due to making new connections and being inspired with fresh ideas to share with their students.

September 15, 2026 Was A Success Because of You!

Thank You Teachers, Sponsors and Business Hosts!

“I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of gratitude and congratulations from educators and host organizations. It is a great privilege to support Delaware's educators by building a professional development event that goes beyond skill-building. So many teacher participants expressed feelings of wonder, belonging, and validation.

The gift of every host's time, energy, and enthusiasm was received joyfully on September 15 by Delaware's educators. At DFSME, we understand that this event nourishes the creative spirit and helps teachers prepare and inspire today's students for the careers of tomorrow. 

From all of us at DFSME, thank you for sharing our vision and building something greater than we could have achieved alone.”

— Em McKeever, Advancement Officer

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME)

Thank You STEM ConnectED Day Sponsors!

Thank You STEM ConnectED Day Business Hosts!

We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You!

Adesis | Agilent | Air Liquide | BloomEnergy | Center for Plastics Innovation

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation | ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute | Croda

Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation | Delaware City Refining Company

Delaware Department of Transportation | Delaware Museum of Nature & Science

Delaware Solid Waste Authority | Delaware State Parks:

Brandywine Zoo | Cape Henlopen | Killens Pond

Delmarva Power | DuPont | FMC | Incyte | LaMotte

Sodel Concepts | Hologic | First Ascent | Aternium – Gore – MDavis

Delaware State University | Youth Climate Institute



Presented By

A Teacher's Reflection on DFSME's STEM ConnectED Day Experience:

“I was super excited for STEM ConnectED Day on September 15th! This experience was an awesome inspiration. I am bringing my new knowledge to our next generation of scientists and innovators, opening doors for students locally to explore STEM careers!” 

This educator spent more than a decade as a chemist in industry and is now a STEM program teacher.

At Agilent, she saw how the GC and LC instruments she used for years are built. “It was fascinating to see the other side of equipment that had once been part of my everyday work.” 

At Incyte, she learned about packaging/temperature testing that happen after a drug is discovered.

Based on her PD experience, she is designing an engineering challenge and is also encouraging her students to take apart retired instruments for further exploration.

“BloomEnergy hires at 18 and grads can come work here right after high school! My students will love to hear this. This day was the best professional learning opportunity that I have experienced!”

At BloomEnergy, teachers stepped inside a hub of clean-energy innovation where solid oxide fuel cells are designed and built. Located on the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus, the site employs more than 1,100 people and powers the global shift to sustainable energy with over 1.5 GW of Energy Servers delivered worldwide. During tours, educators saw cutting-edge manufacturing in action, explored Bloom’s state of the art technology that provides a clean energy alternative to powering AI Data Centers, and hear directly from professionals about the hands-on skills and problem-solving abilities students need to succeed in this fast-growing field.

“I am so happy about this opportunity. It was really very useful! Thank you.”



Teachers choosing the dynamic world of energy with Chesapeake Utilities Corporation as their PD of choice 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. STEM educators went on a guided tour of the state-of-the-art Safety Town training facility and were informed about careers in operations, engineering, construction, renewables, and business development. Company representatives highlighted the STEM skills students need to thrive in this industry, and informed how they recruit and develop top talent.

“I selected the ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute where we experienced hands-on state-of-the-art Learning Lab, to learn about career pathways from scientists and technology being used to help fight cancer! Amazing experience!”

This opportunity at ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute was a chance for teachers to experience lab skills and bring back new activities to their students. Educators visited our Learning Lab and learned about Gene Editing 360™, a suite of educational tools and resources for teachers interested in CRISPR. The institution hosts school field trips to the Learning Lab or can support students with CRISPR in the Classroom kit paired with digital resources.

“After participating in this session, I am hoping to bring my students here for a field trip or bring Chesapeake Utilities to my school, which is an awesome opportunity. Please continue to offer these types of experiences during future professional development days!”

Delaware City Refining Company is a diversified energy delivery company, operating in nine Mid-Atlantic and South Eastern States and offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions and emerging renewable energy business. 

This was a unique opportunity designed exclusively for STEM educators!

“This experience made me realize that I can do a much better job of sorting my trash for recycling. I now anticipate writing a recycling lesson and booking a field trip. This is the best development day event I have had attended in my entire teaching career. Just WOW!”

Delaware Solid Waste Authority asks, “Do you know what happens to your trash or recycling once it’s taken away?” Not many people do! Teachers took an exclusive tour through the Delaware Recycling Center’s Materials Recovery Facility where all single stream recyclables are sorted and processed. The took a drive around to the Cherry Island Landfill to learn about landfills and how they are the safest, most cost effective way to manage waste. Teachers also experienced lessons that teach Delaware students the importance of managing waste in order to protect people and the environment.

“This PD exceeded the standards of engagements and was meaningful and interactive! DuPont engineers will now be involved with my classes at school. This day was my best PD ever.”

On STEM ConnectED Day, a high school engineering an CTE teacher received a commitment from DuPont engineers to visit his school and judge juniors’ and seniors’ capstone projects.

For over a century, DuPont has been the birthplace of breakthrough materials and technologies that have transformed industries and everyday life – from nylon and Kevlar to sustainable solutions shaping the future. STEM ConnectED Day brought teachers together with scientists, engineers and innovators tackling challenges in advanced materials, electronics, sustainability, and safety. Educators got a unique opportunity to see real-world applications of STEM at the highest level, and to inspire students with limitless possibilities of scientific discovery.

“The employees were very welcoming and highlighted their work in a way that is useful for teachers. Thank you DFSME and DDOE for bringing this to Delaware and thank you FMC for hosting this event. It was a great day. I can’t wait to do it again next year!”

This PD day started with a tour of FMC labs and greenhouses and were introduced to the different pests (bacteria, fungi, insects, weeds, nematodes) that rob crop plants of yield. They then boarded the jump farm wagon for a tour of FMC’s working research farm to learn more about the crops that farmers are trying to protect. They got a look at the latest drone technology that farmers are using to scout fields for needed crop protection products. Along the way teachers got highlights of STEM careers in the ag industry including chemistry, environmental sciences, industrial engineering, and business to take ag sciences back to the classroom.

“Wow! To see a Delaware company in action was both eye opening and mind opening. Thanks to everyone that made this possible. Incredible partnership between industry and our schools!”

Hologic’s 3Dimensions Mammography System is the “Coolest Thing Made in Delaware.” As a global champion for women’s health, Hologic has optimized this system to provide higher quality images, more comfortable screenings, and better detection with AI. Educators experienced the entire production process behind this cutting-edge technology that saves lives every day. The tour included manufacturing, both clean room and non-clean room, laboratories, and Hologic’s warehouse. Staff members collaborated with educators, enhancing key skills and knowledge, ensuring that students are successful when entering the workforce in engineering, technology, and manufacturing/operations.

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

©2026 Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education

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