Parent Resources

Today’s world demands a STEM-savvy workforce, a STEM-informed political leadership and a STEM-literate citizenry.  In a time when jobs are at a premium, the United States is actually experiencing a manufacturing boom.  However, companies looking to fill their positions with workers who can operate, maintain and repair sophisticated, computer-driven machinery including industrial robots are finding it difficult to find qualified candidates among the pools of unemployed Americans; many of whom are unable to qualify for the training programs associated with many of these jobs.

In a world of growing economic competitiveness it is increasingly important that students graduate from high school with the foundation skills and knowledge necessary to prepare them for a STEM-centric economy.  Whether they choose a career path specific to STEM or one that is peripherally affected by STEM advances, all children will need to be STEM literate to succeed in the 21st century.

For the Parents

Out-of-School Learning Options – Programs to help Parents help Students succeed in STEM.

Program Evaluation Tools / Curriculum Information / Performance Information

Scholarships & Grants – Resources to help find funding for STEM education

Afterschool Programs – Summer Camps- Competitions – Lots of ways for kids to learn after school

Other Cool STEM Web sites for Parents – A list of cool stuff to explore

Resources in Environmental Science – University of Delaware Library System: providing online magazines, journals, encyclopedias, and training for all Delaware K-12 Public Schools in Environmental Science Education.

Resources in Science – University of Delaware Library System: providing online magazines, journals, encyclopedias, and training for all Delaware K-12 Public Schools in Science Education.

Delaware Library System’s STEM Guide
Visit the library for some surprising chemical and physical reactions that will launch their imagination! You and your child will see the power of gases launch a rocket & inflate a balloon. Try our stomp rockets, then make and take a rocket launcher and a ping-pong ball launcher powered by the elasticity of rubber. Take aim at our landing pad with a rocket powered by you & use your imagination to turn a book into a spacecraft. Which book would you take on your voyage into space? This public library link provides connections to all things STEM.  Check it out!!!

Delaware State PTA – The Delaware Congress of Parents and Teachers, also known as the Delaware State PTA, is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of Delaware’s children. With more than 7000 members, the Delaware State PTA is Delaware’s largest and oldest child advocacy organization.

Out-of-School Learning Options

Delaware University’s Precollege programs for High School Students

Programs from higher education institutions from across Delaware including: University of Delaware, Delaware Tech, Delaware State University, Wilmington University, etc. Ofered to high school and pre-college students, there is information on how to get college credit for courses while still in high school,  summer college programs, an Upward Bound Math and Science program, and programs for minorities.

Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering, Inc. (FAME)
Since 1977, FAME has served more than 5,100 students. FAME has operated its highly-successful STEM Enrichment Program for advanced students in grades 7-12 since our founding. Over 95% of student participants are on Honor Roll. 99% of FAME graduates go onto a four-year college (1% enter the military), and 65% of FAME graduates pursue baccalaureate degrees in STEM-related fields of study.

In 2013, FAME designed and launched a new outreach initiative called STEMulate™ Change designed to engage at-risk youth ages 9-13 of any academic ability. STEMulate™ Change is operated at community centers and schools during the summer and afterschool hours. The program has already achieved national recognition as one of the most promising STEM education programs in the country.

Girls Inc. Of Delaware
At Girls Inc., girls learn to set and achieve goals, boldly confront challenges, resist peer pressure, see college as attainable, and explore nontraditional fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Informed by the experiences of girls and their families, Girls Inc. works with policymakers to advocate on key legislation and initiatives.

Math Help
Distributed as part of the United States Department of Education, this brochure offers parents tips on how to help ensure that their children do well in mathematics.

Saturday Morning Math
Information about University of Delaware’s “Saturday Morning Math” program for students in grades 1 though 8. Udel offers a series of 6-week Saturday Math sessions, an enriching experience that makes learning math enjoyable.

Math.com
A list of free online math tutoring services. Math.com is dedicated to providing revolutionary ways for students, parents, teachers, and everyone to learn math. 24/7 live online tutoring, and expert answers to math questions.

Kumon
Math & Reading for Preschool through 12th Grade Students. A fee-based service providing math and reading tutoring, Kumon has a location in Hockessin, Delaware.

Heymath
A fee-based service providing individualized tutoring in math for middle and high school students. The mission of HeyMath is to dispel the fear of Mathematics

Singapore Math
Books for grades PreK-10 for those interested in supplementing math and science instruction or homeschooling. Singapore Math Inc.® (formerly Singaporemath.com Inc®), was established in 1998 with the mission to bring high quality Singapore mathematics books to the American market.

Program Evaluation Tools / Curriculum Information / Performance Information

Delaware Content Standards and Recommended Curriculum
Information on the curriculum of DE schools

Delaware Performance Assessment
How performance assessments are conducted in Delaware schools

Delaware Framework for Teachers
Guidance on instruction & assessment methods in DE schools

Common Core
Information on the curriculum of DE schools

Delaware School Rankings
School rating information and rankings in DE

Scholarships & Grants

Resources for higher education in Delaware
financial assistance programs and post-secondary education information

Resources for Public & Private higher education in DE
2012 DE Scholarship compendium – DE Higher Education Office

DE Tech Scholarships
Delaware Technical Community College Financial Aid & Scholarships

U of DE Scholarships, fellowships & internships
University of Delaware Scholarships, Fellowships, & Internships

DSU Scholarships
Delaware State University Financial Assistance & Scholarships

DE-NASA Space Grant
Delaware Space Grant Consortium Fellowships & Scholarships

List of Scholarships in DE
A list of numerous Scholarships of all kinds available in DE

After-School Programs, Summer Camps, and Competitions

After-School Programs

Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay
Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls — all girls — where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.

Boys Scouts of Del-Mar-Va
Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives.

Boys and Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware is part of a nationwide movement whose mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Iron Hill Museum

The Iron Hill Merit Badge Center has many STEM offerings for Boy Scouts (see IHMBC.org) and for Girl Scouts as well. A new building is in process of opening and many STEM programs are being planned for all ages.

Science Summer Camps
Science camps from the University of Delaware

Science Olympiad
For the past 29 years, SCIENCE OLYMPIAD has led a revolution in science education.

Delaware Math League

The Delaware Math League was founded by Dr William Geppert, Jr., former State Mathematics Supervisor in the Delaware Department of Education, & Dr. Willard E. Baxter, retired from the University of Delaware. Math League is sponsored by DCTM – Delaware Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The purpose of the Delaware Secondary School Mathematics League is to cultivate an interest in mathematics through team competition. There are four levels of competition – Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, and Grades 10-12.

Math League

Math contests give students an educationally enriching opportunity to participate in an academically-oriented activity and to gain recognition for mathematical achievement. Our main goal is educational: we promote enjoyment and study of mathematics by organizing contests for grades 4-12. Our contests help to enrich mathematics programs. Each contest covers topics appropriate to the contest grade level. Our well-written questions cover a variety of difficulty ranges and involve topics of interest to above-average students. The key is to encourage students to enjoy a challenge and to learn from it to find problem-solving discussions stimulating. This challenge is what prompts many youngsters to enjoy puzzle books! The enrichment we provide is a positive experience for students.

Science Fair – Sussex County Science Fair – Delaware Tech New Castle County Science Fair – Kent County Science Fair

Delaware Valley Science Fairs, Inc. (DVSF) was founded in 1949 and incorporated as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization in 1993, making it one of the oldest Fairs in the country. It is now also one of the largest.  The Fairs were designed as a vehicle for stimulating interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among students in middle and high schools in the tri-state area.  The philosophy behind the Fairs is that students learn science by doing science. DVSF provides an opportunity for students to excel and reach their full potential fostering intellectual curiosity and creative problem solving – essential skills for future innovation.

Lego League
You can find a lot of information on this website, especially details about this year’s FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) events.

Summer Camps

MathTree
We teach math in multiple modes, inspired by the Lesh translation model. Sign up for tips to make Math fun!

STEM Kids Camps Delaware Tech
Delaware Technical Community College will offer nearly 50 youth camps this summer at campuses statewide expected to serve approximately 1,000 students in support of Governor Markell’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiative.

DE State Parks Summer Camps
Delaware State Parks offer summer day camps all over Delaware, from Alapocas Run State Park in Wilmington to Cape Henlopen in Lewes, and plenty in between!

Library programs
Go to your local public library and sign up today. Discover all the great activities and programs happening in Delaware Public Libraries.

Delaware Nature Society
Founded in 1964, the Delaware Nature Society is the pre-eminent non-profit environmental organization in the state.

Delaware Aerospace Academy
In operation since 1990, the objective of the Delaware Aerospace Academy is to provide hands-on training and experiences in aerospace-related activities and fields.

iD Tech Camps held at the University of Delaware

Kids and teens ages 7-17 develop real-world tech skills and experience firsthand how interests can turn into a college degree and future career. Led by hip, tech-savvy instructors, students code apps, design video games, mod with Minecraft, engineer robots, build websites, produce films, and more. Courses with only 8 students per instructor for personalized learning while students build self-confidence and meet new friends with similar interests. High-energy, weeklong, day and overnight programs.

Competitions

Moody’s Mega Math Challenge
Moody’s Mega Math Challenge (M3 Challenge) is an applied mathematics competition for high school students.

Math Team Canada at the International Mathematical Olympiad
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the world championship mathematics competition for high-school students. Canada has proudly participated in the IMO for over thirty years.

The Challenge
The DuPont challenge calls on students to research, think critically, and write a science essay that provides innovative ideas on our most pressing global challenges, or demonstrates the application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to our daily lives.

Governor’s Cyber Aces State Championship
Governor Markell is challenging students across the state to register for Cyber Aces Online and compete for a chance to participate in the Governor’s Cyber Aces State Championship. Registration is free and open now.