Colorado STEM Centers
There are many organizations across the state focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. As a convener of these groups in Colorado, COMSTEC works to bring them together and help bring awareness to their incredible efforts and achievements.
The Colorado STEM Network
The Colorado STEM Network (CSN) grant project is intended to coordinate closely with the P-20 Council and the Governor’s Job Cabinet. The goals of project are nested within Governor Ritter's ambitious ten-year plan to halve the state’s high school dropout rate and double the production of postsecondary certificates and diplomas. The Colorado STEM Network is funded through a grant from the National Governors’ Association from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Intel Corporation.
The Colorado STEM Network has two components: a state-level coordinating center and a network of regional STEM compacts. First, to provide state-level guidance and coordination, we have formed a state-level STEM Coordinating Center. The STEM Coordinating Center will be staffed from the Center for Education Policy Analysis at the University of Colorado at Denver, the Colorado Children’s Campaign, College in Colorado, and the Colorado Math, Science, Technology, and Engineering Education Coalition. The STEM Coordinating Center supports both state-level change and local-level change by integrating STEM education alignment and best practices into the state education reform policy package developed through the Governor's P-20 Council; improving local STEM policies and practices through the coordination and support of the network of regional STEM compacts throughout the state; communicating and building public will for policy changes promoting STEM education redesign to support Colorado's innovation capacity; and building capacity at the state and local level through applied research and analysis for improving STEM outcomes for Colorado students
The second and equally important component of the CSN is the development of regional STEM compacts, hosted by institutions of higher education throughout the state. These compacts bring local and regional STEM stakeholders together to identify local challenges and assets around the alignment of K-12 outputs and expectations and support development and implementation of policy at the local level. For example, a STEM Compact might identify a need for improved STEM K-12 teacher professional development in its region and build programming to meet that need through area partnerships.
The work of the STEM Compacts will inform, and be informed by, the work of the STEM Coordinating Center and the P-20 Council.
CO STEM Network Partners
REGIONAL STEM COMPACTS