We’re excited to invite you to partner with SciMathMN for STEM Day at the Fair 2025. As the biggest STEM event in Minnesota, this is your chance to engage around 15,000 visitors through hands-on STEM experiences at the best day of the Minnesota State Fair.

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Location: Dan Patch Park, Minnesota State Fairgrounds

As a partner, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your organization, inspire future innovators, and connect with a diverse audience. Whether you’re a returning exhibitor or new to the event, we’d love to have you join us!

• See the impact: Watch our highlight video from last year’s event
• Review partnership and sponsorship opportunities: STEM Day 2025 Partnership Packet
• Register your interest: Complete this form by Friday, May 2 

This year’s theme #YouBelonginSTEM reinforces that everyone has a place in the STEM community and a future in STEM careers. We will celebrate the diverse individuals and roles shaping STEM today while highlighting the opportunities ahead.  

Reach out to Vic Dreier, SciMathMN Interim Executive Director, at execdir@scimathmn.org with any questions.

SciMathMN is excited to announce that we are seeking a new Executive Director to lead our organization into its next chapter of growth and impact. To that end, we have released a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting qualified individuals and organizations to apply for this pivotal leadership role.

About the Opportunity

Our next Executive Director will be a visionary leader committed to strengthening STEM education across Minnesota. This role offers the chance to drive meaningful change through strategic leadership, fundraising, program oversight, and stakeholder engagement. We welcome proposals from both individuals and organizations that align with SciMathMN’s mission of advancing equitable and accessible STEM learning opportunities.

Key Details:

• Funding Available: Up to $60,000
• Virtual Q&A Sessions: February 12 & 13, 2025
• Application Deadline: February 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM
• Selection Announcement: By April 1, 2025

We encourage all interested applicants to carefully review the RFP and submit a proposal that demonstrates their vision, expertise, and commitment to STEM education in Minnesota.

For questions or to submit a proposal, please email execdir@scimathmn.org.

We look forward to reviewing proposals and selecting a leader who will help shape the future of STEM education in our state.

Join SciMathMN and the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem for an afternoon of all things STEM at the 2025 STEM Day at the Capitol! This exciting event takes place on Friday, January 31st, 2025 from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the Minnesota State Capitol (75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, St Paul, MN 55155).

What to Expect:

• Discover innovative STEM programs from in-school and afterschool organizations.
• Learn about workforce development opportunities in STEM fields.
• Connect with members of the Minnesota STEM Community.

Why STEM? Watch SciMathMN’s STEM Day video to learn more!

Interested in Exhibiting?

Showcase your STEM program or organization at the event! Click here to learn more about exhibitor registration.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to explore the world of STEM!

Watch last year’s STEM Day at the Capitol video here!

We look forward to seeing you there!

There’s exciting news for computer science education in Minnesota! The recent Code.org 2024 State of CS Ed Report shows we’ve jumped from 50th to 48th place in terms of high school access to foundational computer science courses. While this is a small improvement, it represents the largest increase in high schools offering computer science among all states!

This progress highlights the dedication of educators and policymakers in Minnesota. However, the report also reveals we still have a long way to go. Here are some key takeaways:

• Only 36% of Minnesota public high schools offer foundational computer science. Nationally, the average is 60%.
• Young women and several student groups are underrepresented in computer science courses.

This is a crucial time for computer science education. Research shows that computer science courses can significantly increase student earnings, especially for low-income students, Black students, and young women.

The Good News: Minnesota Has a Plan!

The Minnesota Computer Science Working Group published a state plan in March 2024. This plan proposes 10 recommendations to expand access to computer science, including:

• Establishing an advisory committee.
• Creating flexible teacher certification pathways.
• Implementing grant programs.
• Requiring computer science integration in grades K-8.
• Requiring all high schools to offer computer science.

What We Can Do:

We can all play a role in advancing computer science education in Minnesota. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Encourage your local school district to offer computer science courses.
• Support organizations like SciMathMN that advocate for computer science education.
• Consider volunteering as a computer science mentor for students.

By working together, we can ensure that all Minnesota students have the opportunity to learn computer science and prepare for success in a technology-driven world.

Learn More:

• Read the full Code.org 2024 State of CS Ed Report: https://bit.ly/StateofCSEduReport2024
• Minnesota Computer Science Working Group State Plan: https://bit.ly/MDECSEduPlan2024

Let’s make Minnesota a leader in computer science education!

Join SciMathMN for an engaging breakout session at the upcoming MN STEM Convening on October 14th, 2024 at the Dean Lakes Education Center in Shakopee, MN.

This FREE event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues, share best practices, and explore the future of STEM education in Minnesota.

Here’s why you should attend:

• Engaging Breakout Sessions: SciMathMN will be hosting a session titled “Building Forward” Discussion. This interactive session will be a great place to share ideas, network with peers, and explore innovative approaches to STEM education.
• Network with the STEM Community: Meet and collaborate with educators, afterschool program providers, industry leaders, and more!
• Explore the Latest Trends: Gain insights into K-12 STEM & CS updates from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and learn about exciting regional STEM activities.
• Free Registration: The MN STEM Convening is completely free to attend!

Don’t delay! Register today to secure your spot at this exciting event. ➡️ www.stemmn.org

Full Agenda:

• 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Registration
• 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Event Schedule (including breakout sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities)

We look forward to seeing you there!

We are thrilled to announce Sarah Ness as the new Chair of the SciMathMN Board of Directors! Sarah brings a wealth of experience in STEM education, leadership, and community building to this role. Her passion for empowering youth and her deep understanding of the Minnesota STEM ecosystem make her an ideal leader for SciMathMN. To learn more and view the entire newsletter, click here

Call for Board Members

SciMathMN invites community members to join the Board of Directors for the 2024/25 season. This is an exciting time for our growing organization. We are seeking a mix of business/industry leaders, workforce experts, education, and STEM advocates to help steer SciMathMN in the coming years. To learn more, please review the Board Member Description attachment. To express your interest, please complete the Board member application and return it via email to Colleen Riley, Executive Director, execdir@scimathmn.org.

SciMathMN Board Application

SciMathMN Board Member Description