DFSME unites Delaware by supporting classroom educators

who inspire and prepare today’s students for the workforce of tomorrow.

STEM ConnectED Day connects Delaware teachers directly with employers and industry professionals through hosted site visits on Delaware's statewide professional development day. The event is 100% free to teachers thanks to our sponsors, who are Delaware's education innovators, talent builders, and community champions.

CLICK HERE FOR HOST & SPONSORSHIP DETAILS

For more info, please email Em@dfsme.org or call 302-397-0034.

Educators! Registration Opens July 28th

September 15th, 2026

Statewide Professional Development Day

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

What You Can Expect:

• 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.

Thank You 2026 Event Sponsors!

Empowering the Next Generation:

Building Delmarva's Future Workforce

Delmarva Power encourages and ensures the industry’s future workforce by focusing on educational opportunities at pivotal moments in a person’s lifetime starting from middle school to adulthood. Delmarva Power helps to prepare young people for opportunities in the energy industry through a series of programs equipping them with both the hard and soft skills required for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-based careers. The Excelon Foundation’s larger mission is to empower students with practical skills and inspire the innovators of tomorrow.

Throughout Delaware and Maryland, Delmarva Power provides students with hands-on experience through interactive modules and advanced technology, including coding and robotics. Additional offerings include soft skills, environmental sustainability and aviation. Programs are designed to foster curiosity and build skills that will support young learners in future career paths, and to become tomorrow’s leaders in the utility industry.

To watch a video on Delmarva Power's Facebook page showing how Delmarva Power is powering a cleaner, brighter future for our community, click here.

One of the 2025 STEM ConnectED Day Hosts, Delmarva Power, engaged teachers by showing how various STEM careers play a role in delivering electricity and gas to our communities, and provided tips on how they can energize their classrooms and curriculum to enrich their students learning.

Shown with students from grades 1-3, (L to R): Brook Fuchs, Principal; Cynthia Pagan, Chesapeake Utilities; 
Em McKeever, DFSME Advancement Officer; Awardee Megan Dempsey-Byler; Jon Manon, DFSME President & CEO; and Carrie Evick, DDOE Science Education Associate.

June “Shining Light Award” Honors Megan Dempsey-Byler, 
W.B. Simpson Elementary, Caesar Rodney School District

Mrs. Dempsey-Byler is a knowledgeable and well-respected math specialist with twelve years of experience working with a variety of learners in numerous settings. She is a tremendous resource to W.B. Simpson School, Caesar Rodney School District, as she works directly with struggling math learners, providing MTSS Tier 3 support lessons.

She also works with our special education population, helping them achieve their IEP goals and bridge the gap between their current level and the grade level assigned. Due to Mrs. Dempsey's efforts, a 13% increase in the school’s SBAC math scores from 2024 to 2025. Our overall scores exceed district and state averages in addition to a 5% increase in end of the year I-Ready scores from 2024-2025. She has written and won grants to expand our students' access to math materials.

Mrs. Dempsey is also a tremendous teacher leader, is organized, innovative and is professional in all that she does. Her exemplary highlights include: Advantage Math Recovery Course Certified Teacher 2024-present; Building a Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics 2023-2026; Member of the WBS School Leadership Team 2024-2026; Member of School Health Committee 2023-2026; W.B. Simpson Teacher of the Year 2021; and Girls on the Run Coach 2021-2022. Mrs. Dempsey is heavily involved in school, district and state committees to improve math outcomes for all students. 

We are pleased to recognize Megan Dempsey-Byler as a Superlative Educator!

Mrs. Dempsey-Byler was nominated by Brook Fuchs, Principal, W.B. Simpson Elementary School,

Caesar Rodney School District.

Nominate Your Favorite Educator to be a Shining Light!

Anyone may nominate a STEM formal, informal or community Educator. Honorees receive an award, a $100 gift card and a Mini Maglite courtesy of Chesapeake Utilities, a Program Sponsor.

For details and a nomination form, click here. Email form 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 will receive monthly recognition. Email at Em@dfsme.org for details.

Click here to learn more.

June’s Outstanding Delaware Women in STEM Honoree

Angel Burns, CIP is Chief of Interpretation and Programming for Delaware State Parks. She is a lifelong educator whose work helps connect children and families to the outdoors. Angel has led programming at Brandywine, White Clay, and Lums Pond State Parks, expanding access to field trips, day camps, and nature-based learning.

Angel served for many years on the board of Delaware Association for Environmental Education. Through her leadership and work with the Children in Nature Coalition, and now the Communities in Nature network, she continues to inspire environmental education across the state.



 “Looking back on three decades in environmental education,

I cherish the collaborations and experiences along the way, but the

true heart of this work has always been the students and

 the joy of helping them connect with the natural world.

They inspire me every day and motivate me for the future.”

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 (DFSME) is the fiscal agent of Million Women Mentors – Delaware.

July 28th • 4-7pm • Wilmington University

iDEa Conference: Emerging Industries in BlueTech & Photonics

Tech Forum and DFSME proudly present the Innovation in Delaware (iDEa) Conference. Join us for an engaging introduction to two of the fastest-growing innovation sectors shaping our region. Learn how BlueTech and Photonics industries are driving advancements in ocean technology, communications, sensing, and more.

Audience: Technology enthusiasts, Educators, Students, and Industry Professionals.

Receive professional development hours through PDMS. Check the registration page for details.

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!

America’s 250th Anniversary and STEM Education

Resources Shared by DFSME

As the United States marks 250 years of independence in 2026, the nation has launched a celebration of American history, values, and innovation — with a strong emphasis on STEM education as part of the programming. Students are not only learning about America’s past but also being inspired to innovate for the future — a dual celebration of heritage and progress.

Discover Delaware’s rich contributions to America’s 250th anniversary celebration through DE250 curated resources. This comprehensive collection brings together educational materials, historical insights and content from Delaware institutions alongside national organizations, offering a deeper understanding of our shared heritage as we celebrate the nation’s Semiquincentennial.

For links to lesson plans, eBooks, digitized archival collections and more resources, click here.

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.