Smithsonian Science Education Center Named as Partner in 100Kin10, National Network to Grow STEM Teaching Force

March 2016

100Kin10, a national network coordinating and accelerating efforts to bring 100,000 excellent science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers into schools by 2021, announced today that the Smithsonian Science Education Center has been accepted as a partner.

“Training and supporting excellent STEM master teachers through innovative leadership and professional development programming has been at the core of our work for over 30 years. We are honored and excited to join the ranks of likeminded organizations in the 100Kin10 network to collectively advance our shared goals,” said Smithsonian Science Education Director Dr. Carol O’Donnell.

As part of 100Kin10, the Smithsonian Science Education Center will support 50 leadership teams representing schools or districts to strategically plan and implement high-quality STEM education programs, impacting the training and retention of 1,000 STEM teachers.

More and better-trained STEM teachers are essential to preparing America’s students to fully participate in our democracy and to understand and respond to complex national and global challenges. To compete in the global marketplace and provide opportunity to all young Americans, all students—not just those fortunate enough to attend certain schools—must have basic STEM skills and knowledge. The Smithsonian Science Education Center is one of 49 new partners to join a network of now over 280 of the country’s top businesses, nonprofits, foundations and academic institutions to help achieve the goal of 100,000 excellent STEM teachers.

“It is critical there be cross sector collaboration to prepare today’s students to be the leaders of tomorrow,” said 100Kin10 Executive Director Talia Milgrom-Elcott. “We are excited for the many ways the Smithsonian Science Education Center will contribute to our shared mission of getting more and better STEM teachers into American classrooms.”

100Kin10 partners have access to exclusive research, learning, innovation, and funding opportunities, all designed to foster collaborative problem-solving and support partners in fulfilling their ambitious commitments towards 100Kin10’s shared goal.

Organizations are accepted as 100Kin10 partners following a rigorous vetting process conducted by a team of partner reviewers and a national selection panel of experts in education and STEM. Applicants are considered for partnership based on their organization strength and STEM and teaching expertise; clear, meaningful commitments toward the 100,000 STEM teacher goal; and interest in and capacity to build the 100Kin10 movement.

About 100Kin10

100Kin10 is an organization committed to recruiting, training, and retaining 100,000 excellent science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers by 2021. 100Kin10 encourages multi-sector collaboration and provides the vision and resources to help nonprofits, foundations, academic institutions and businesses meet their ambitious commitments to educate the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. More information is available at www.100kin10.org.