NEOSTEM Now | May 15, 2026
Ohio is Making Sure Industry-Recognized Credentials Pay Off.
Ohio is overhauling its K-12 career credentialing system by using labor market data to prioritize high-value certifications that lead directly to living-wage jobs and statewide economic growth. Learn More
Higher Ed’s Enrollment Cliff Is Here. Now Meet the Graduate Glut.
As colleges finally face the long-anticipated “enrollment cliff” caused by declining birth rates, they are simultaneously grappling with a “graduate glut” where an oversupply of degree-holders in certain fields is outpacing the availability of professional entry-level jobs, leading to increased underemployment and a crisis of perceived value for higher education. Learn More
Should financial literacy be factored into math curricula?
Educators and experts suggest that integrating financial literacy into math lessons as early as elementary school can make abstract mathematical concepts more relevant to students through real-world applications like budgeting, calculating discounts, and understanding interest. Learn More
Anatomy of a ‘Learning Recession’: Academic Losses Began in 2013, Report Finds
A new report reveals that American student achievement began a steady decline as early as 2013, suggesting that recent pandemic-era setbacks were an acceleration of a long-term “learning recession” driven by the erosion of accountability systems and the rise of social media. Learn More
Ohio’s Commitment to Dual Enrollment Quality
Through the College Credit Plus program, Ohio has established some of the nation’s most extensive state-defined standards, mandating holistic program elements like academic advising, student orientations, and annual professional development for high school instructors to ensure consistency across all public and private providers. Learn More
Real Math Crisis: Why 19th-Century Curriculum Fails the AI Age
Author Ted Dintersmith argues that American schools are wasting thousands of hours on obsolete rote calculations while leaving students dangerously illiterate in the data, statistics, and financial math required to navigate modern life. Learn More
Events & Resources
Family STEM Exploration Days are Back!
This May, we’re bridging the accessibility gap by bringing hands-on STEM activities directly to where students live and play. Join us for Family STEM Exploration Days to spark curiosity and inspire our city’s next generation of innovators. Free activities & food | No registration required.
May 16: Gunning Park (12-2PM)
May 23: Collinwood (12-2PM)
AWS Imagine Grant Program: Technology Support for Nonprofits
This program provides up to $200,000 in funding and $100,000 in AWS credits for nonprofits using cloud technology to scale their impact. While schools are ineligible, the grant is open to EdTechs and nonprofits focused on education equity and workforce development. Deadline 6/5 Learn More
National Science Foundation Translation to Practice (NSF TTP)
NSF TTP funds use-inspired STEM research that moves discoveries into real-world applications through three tracks: Explore, Translate, and Partner. This opportunity can help STEM leaders and their collaborators scale solutions, build cross-sector partnerships, and better align innovations with workforce and community needs. Deadline: 5/19 Learn More
$16.8M in Grants to Transform Literacy in High-Need Schools
The Fiscal Year 2026 Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program is now accepting applications for grants designed to boost reading proficiency from birth through grade 12 by funding school library enhancements, book distribution, and evidence-based literacy activities in low-income communities. Deadline: 6/9 Learn More
Ignite Your STEM Journey: Summer ’26 Roots in Research
Roots in Research is seeking 36 passionate, high-school students from underserved backgrounds for an entirely virtual program (June 29 – July 30) designed to teach the fundamentals of scientific inquiry to those with no prior research experience. Learn More
Stitch Your Future: Summer ’26 Seed to Suture Applications Open
Aspiring surgeons from underserved backgrounds are invited to apply for this immersive virtual program running June 28th to July 26th, where 20 selected participants will receive a complimentary suture kit and expert-led training to master the basics of surgical medicine. Learn More
Federal SEED Program Grant for Educator Workforce Development
The U.S. Department of Education is soliciting applications for the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program, offering funding to higher education institutions and national nonprofits to implement evidence-based professional learning and preparation models that improve student outcomes. Deadline: 6/1 Learn More
NSF TechAccess: AI-Ready America Initiative
The TechAccess: AI-Ready America program is a national initiative providing up to $1M per year for three years to establish coordination hubs in every state and territory, with the first round of full proposals due July 16, 2026, following a required Letter of Intent by June 16, 2026. Learn More
NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY: Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks for K-12 STEM Innovation
The NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY program provides funding for collaborative teams of educators, technologists, and researchers to co-design and scale technology-based solutions—with a particular emphasis on early AI exposure—to address persistent challenges in K-12 learning and workforce development. Planning Proposals Due: May 27, 2026 | Development Proposals Due: Nov.18, 2026 Learn More
About NEOSTEM
NEOSTEM connects over 100 organizations working across education, business, and community sectors to make STEM equitable, exciting, and career-connected.
From in-school support to out-of-school enrichment, we’re building a regional talent pipeline, from kindergarten through career.
Visit www.neostem.org | Contact us at info@neostem.org| Support NEOSTEM