NEOSTEM Now - February 6, 2026
February Community Meeting Recap: What’s Ahead for NEOSTEM in 2026
At NEOSTEM’s February community meeting, partners gathered to reflect on the region’s progress and preview a more coordinated 2026 strategy—expanding access to career-connected STEM through large-scale sports activations, neighborhood-based events, and deeper collaboration across schools, industry, and community organizations led by NEOSTEM. Learn More
Digital Literacy in the Age of AI: Analysis and Voices from the Field
To better understand the evolving education landscape, researchers interviewed 12 diverse stakeholders and conducted a 50-state scan, finding that AI literacy must be treated as a core component of a broader, national digital literacy framework rather than a siloed technical skill. Learn More
City of Cleveland Marks 100 Years of Black History with Month-Long Celebration
This Black History Month, Cleveland marks 100 years of Black history commemorations (1926–2026) with a citywide lineup of events—from City Hall celebrations and community gatherings to museum exhibitions, music performances, theater, sports heritage nights, and literary tributes—honoring the profound impact of Black culture, leadership, and creativity across The Land. Learn More
Score with STEM Returns with STEM Series This Spring
Score with STEM brings hands-on STEM learning and career exploration to Cleveland with a series of exciting events: Request free tickets to the Cleveland Charge on March 3 at 11 AM, and Offer STEM experiences as an exhibitor on March 27 from 10 AM–1 PM ahead of the Cavaliers’ 7:30 PM tip-off—connecting students and families to real-world STEM through the energy of game day. Learn More
Trump Signs $79 Billion Education Funding Bill into Law for FY26
President Donald Trump has signed a $79 billion FY 2026 education funding bill into law, providing a modest increase over last year’s budget while adding guardrails to ensure timely formula grants, maintain Department of Education staffing levels, and preserve funding for critical programs serving vulnerable students. Learn More
Sweet Science in Action at Great Lakes Science Center
This Valentine’s season, Great Lakes Science Center’s Smitten with Science program turns candy into a classroom—using hands-on experiments like candy chromatography and the “screaming gummy bear” to help kids discover chemistry in the most unexpected (and delicious) places. Learn More
Ohio Department of Development Awards $700,000 for Energy Efficiency Upgrades Across Four Communities
The Ohio Department of Development has awarded $700,000 through the Ohio Energy Efficiency Program to support LED lighting, solar upgrades, and efficiency retrofits in four Ohio communities—projects projected to reduce energy use by at least 15 percent and generate long-term cost savings for local governments and school districts. Learn More
Is AI Transforming Schools—or Just Duct-Taped Onto the Old System?
In this midseason Class Disrupted reflection, Michael Horn and Diane Tavenner argue that most “AI in education” today is still layered onto industrial-era school structures—and real transformation will require clearer definitions, smarter use cases, and fundamentally new school models. Learn More
State AI Bills to Watch in 2026: What New Legislation Could Mean for Students
A new analysis from The Learning Agency highlights how AI-related bills introduced across 28 state legislatures in 2026 are increasingly focused on regulating chatbots, protecting minors on social media, increasing transparency around AI training data, and shaping how—and whether—AI can be used in K–12 education. Learn More
An Unexpected Nonprofit Is Leading AI Education in Portage County
Hope Town—a recovery-focused nonprofit—has emerged as a regional leader in AI education by partnering with AI Owl to train more than 100 participants since September, using artificial intelligence to build skills, efficiency, and new pathways to opportunity for individuals and organizations across Portage County. Learn More
State Awards Nearly $4.7 Million to Upgrade Infrastructure and Strengthen Neighborhoods in Eight Communities
The Ohio Department of Development is investing nearly $4.7 million through Community Development Block Grant–supported programs to improve water and sewer infrastructure, enhance neighborhood conditions, and support future development across eight Ohio communities, benefiting thousands of residents statewide. Learn More
Honoring Black Excellence in Construction: CAA Black History Tribute
The Contractors Assistance Association’s Black History Tribute celebrates leaders whose work has advanced equity, inclusion, and opportunity across Northeast Ohio’s construction industry. Learn More
$5 Million in Industry Sector Partnership Grants Now Open to Strengthen Ohio’s Workforce
The Ohio Department of Development, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, has opened a new $5 million round of Industry Sector Partnership grants to support regional collaborations that align education, training, and employers around in-demand workforce needs across Ohio. Learn More
Save the Date: Fireside Chat on CTE and Justice-Impacted Individuals
On February 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET, NAPE (National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity) will host a virtual Fireside Chat exploring practical strategies, policies, and partnerships that expand equitable access to career and technical education and workforce pathways for justice-impacted individuals. Learn More
What Is the DeBruce Career Corps? Youth Shaping the Future of Work
The DeBruce Career Corps is a youth advisory board for The DeBruce Foundation, empowering young people ages 14–24 to help shape career and workforce readiness through virtual collaboration, leadership development, and real-world projects that build skills, confidence, and professional connections. Learn More
ACE Cleveland Releases 2025–2026 Annual Events Calendar
From Trades Day to Sandfest, ACE Cleveland’s year-ahead lineup offers hands-on experiences that connect students to real careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. Learn More
NSF STEM K–12 Grant: Funding Research to Advance STEM Teaching and Learning
The National Science Foundation is accepting rolling proposals for its STEM K–12 program, offering $25,000–$750,000 over 1–3 years to support research and development that advances STEM teaching and learning in K–12 formal and informal settings, including projects leveraging AI and emerging technologies to strengthen the future STEM workforce. Learn More
College How? Webinar: Smart Summer Planning for College Success
Join the next College How? webinar on Wednesday, February 11, to explore internships, jobs, volunteer opportunities, enrichment programs, and other smart ways students can use the summer to build skills, explore interests, and strengthen their college applications. Learn More
The Level Up Summit: A Regional Gathering to Strengthen Men, Families, and Communities
The 2026 Level Up Male Educators & Community Summit brings together educators, fathers, mentors, youth, and community partners from across Northeast Ohio for a one-day experience of leadership, wellness, learning, and connection—grounded in the belief that when men are supported, families are strengthened and communities rise. Learn More
Civic Engagement as a Career Accelerator: An Emerging Leaders Panel
On March 12, United Way’s Emerging Leaders will host a professional development panel at The Union Club of Cleveland exploring how civic engagement—from volunteerism to community leadership—can accelerate career growth, expand networks, and open new professional pathways through real-world examples from local leaders. Learn More
Power the Connections That Power Northeast Ohio.
When educators, industry leaders, and community partners stay connected, students win. Your support powers the partnerships and programs that expand hands-on STEM, educator resources, and real career pathways across Northeast Ohio.
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