STEM.org

STEM.org is an American multinational education company[1] based in Southfield, Michigan.[2] The organization was founded in 2001 by Andrew B. Raupp[1] under the name "Initiative Science," despite conducting outreach programs in all STEM fields[3] (previously SMET).[4] By 2014, STEM.org had been recognized by the United States Senate for having worked with over 100,000 students, through partnerships with schools involving collaborative educational activities.[1] In K-12 education, STEM.org has worked with private, public, and charter schools.[5]

Services

STEM.org’s services include curriculum evaluation and development,[5] STEM-credentialing of people and programs,[6] and production of various STEM-related content through public-private consulting partnerships.[5] The organization has STEM-accredited schools through professional development training events,[7] which involved school educators learning pedagogical methodology.[8]

History

Origin (2000-2001)

STEM.org began as a science-based field trip in southwest Detroit, Michigan.[6] Returning to the neighborhood where he lived as a child, Andrew B. Raupp took part in a community cleaning and gardening project in the summer of 2000.[5] In doing so, Raupp connected with his old classmates’ younger siblings, whom he taught how to grow vegetable gardens while they joined him in the project.[5] As a reward, Raupp rented a bus and took the children on trips to a local natural area, where they learned about various science concepts.[5] After the summer project ended, schools in southwest Detroit hired Raupp to conduct more educational programs.[5]

Growth (2001-2014)

Andrew B. Raupp founded the organization in 2001, originally working with 50 K-12 students.[5] By December 2014, STEM.org grew to having worked with over 142,500 K-12 students.[5]

Evolution (2014-2016)

As of 2016, STEM.org is a multimillion-dollar pedagogics firm that has worked with international schools in Jordan and Jamaica, as well as over 1,700 schools in the US.[5] The organization has shifted focus from direct student programming to creating sustainable change in education by employing experts in curriculum development and working with policymakers on vertical and horizontal platforms.[5]

Awards
  • 2015 – Corp! Magazine, "DiSciTech Award Winner"[6]
  • 2014 – Southfield Chamber of Commerce, "Southfield Company to Watch"[9]
  • 2014 – Small Business Administration, "Emerging Leader"[10]
  • 2013 – Michigan Career Educator & Employer Alliance, "Employer of the Year"[11]

References
  1. "Nixa's JTSD receives STEM accreditation", Christian County Headliner News, Ozark, MO, 28 January 2015. Retrieved on 25 March 2015.
  2. Zemke, Jon. "STEM Aims to Reinvent Education", Southeast Michigan Startup, Detroit, MI, 15 August 2014. Retrieved on 22 April 2015.
  3. Sands, David. "Detroit Public Schools Students Show STEM Skills At White House Science Fair", The Huffington Post, Detroit, MI, 8 February 2012. Retrieved on 25 March 2015.
  4. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42642.pdf
  5. Rahman, Raad. "Revolutionizing STEM Education: One Detroit Man’s Extraordinary Story", The Stewardship Report, Detroit, MI, 4 January 2016. Retrieved on 17 August 2016.
  6. Dybis, Karen. "Innovation at Core of 2015 DiSciTech Award Winners", Corp! Magazine, Southfield, MI, 26 February 2015. Retrieved on 22 August 2016.
  7. Hetrick, Katie. "McCollough-Unis first public school to be STEM certified", Press & Guide, Dearborn, MI, 27 March 2014. Retrieved on 25 March 2015.
  8. Greene, Julie. "Active Learning Style Helps School in Nixa Become Missouri’s First STEM Accredited Public School", KSMU, Springfield, MO, 12 February 2015. Retrieved on 25 March 2015.
  9. "Annual Awards", Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Southfield, MI. Retrieved on 30 March 2015.
  10. Gase, Catherine. "SBA Honors Detroit Emerging Leaders Graduates", Small Business Administration, Washington DC, 5 November 2014. Retrieved on 30 March 2015.
  11. "Employer of the Year Award", Michigan Career Educator & Employer Alliance, Lansing, MI. Retrieved on 30 March 2015.
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