The Indiana Department of Education will collaborate with educators and schools across the state to implement Indiana’s Priorities for STEM Education in an effort to provide access to high-quality, integrated STEM instruction and to increase student participation and achievement related to integrated STEM learning opportunities. In a constantly evolving world, STEM education will prepare all students to contribute to society through innovative problem solving as the next generation of thinkers, creators, advocates, and entrepreneurs.
- STEM Grants & Awards
STEM Acceleration Grant
The Indiana General Assembly appropriated funding in fiscal year 2025 to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) for STEM program alignment. The STEM Integration Grant is designed to improve elementary and secondary student achievement and participation in integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning experiences across the state of Indiana. Grantees will use these targeted funds to provide students with integrated learning opportunities in the STEM disciplines and beyond. This grant opportunity will support school corporations that have an interest in accelerating, scaling, or implementing STEM curricula that are:
- Grounded in standards-based STEM content;
- Driven by integrated pedagogical practices, such as problem-based or inquiry-based approaches to learning; and
- Incorporate teacher training and support.
2024-2025 STEM Integration Grant Guidance
2023-2024 STEM Integration Grant Recipients
K-12 Robotics Competition Grant
The K-12 Robotics Competition Grant is designed to support state-accredited schools in establishing or maintaining robotics competition programs in accordance with Indiana Code 20-20-45.5, which provides opportunities to increase interest and improve skills in STEM through participation in competitive robotics programs that:
- Provide hands on learning experiences;
- Establish community partnerships to increase awareness of local workforce and postsecondary opportunities;
- Highlight career opportunities through adult mentors; and
- Prioritize a connection to manufacturing, machining, and fabrication skills for students in grades nine through 12.
Funded through appropriations by the Indiana General Assembly in the STEM Program Alignment Fund, this grant aligns with Indiana’s Priorities for STEM Education and provides Indiana students with engaging STEM learning experiences that prepare them for emerging careers and educational opportunities. Eligible entities may present evidence within the grant application for elementary, middle, and/or high school teams. Applicants must provide evidence of local in-kind or cash contributions via private or local funds equal to at least 25% of the grant amount requested for each eligible team.
2024-2025 K-12 Robotics Competition Grant Guidance
2023-2024 K-12 Robotics Competition Grant Recipients
Governor’s STEM Team
The Governor’s STEM Team program honors four outstanding high school students for their exceptional efforts and accomplishments in one of the STEM disciplines. Winning students each receive a $1,000 deposit into an Indiana529 Direct Savings plan and letterman jackets identifying them as members of the Governor’s STEM Team. The application process is launched each January. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with questions.
- Math Modernization
Indiana has the opportunity to be a national leader in expanding options to prepare students for postsecondary success whether they are pursuing a STEM degree, an industry certification, or another educational and/or training pursuit that leads to a sustainable career. In summer 2021, a task force of K-12 administration, higher education, and community partnerships was convened to make recommendations regarding post-secondary mathematics opportunities.
Task Force Timeline:
- August 2021 - Developed a cross-sector vision to support the scalability of multiple high-quality mathematics opportunities.
- November 2021 - Presented research findings on mathematics course analysis and interviews with higher education and middle school counselors and teachers.
- February 2022 - Described options for modernized Algebra II and ways the state can approach redesigns for success in fourth year courses and identified strategies to enhance middle school mathematics and professional learning opportunities.
An existing pilot of a grade 12 mathematics transition course, Indiana PRIME, was designed for students who have currently achieved the minimum mathematics requirements for a Core 40 diploma but may still require additional assistance as they prepare for their next steps after high school. Task force recommendations seek to ensure all students have access to similar rigorous mathematics curricula that promote meaningful exploration of applicable, problem-based learning and create diverse pathways for a broad set of post-secondary goals, taught by teachers equipped to offer modernized, research informed instruction.
The adoption of the 2023 Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics included modernized standards for Algebra II and Analytical Algebra II. Through continued work with mathematics stakeholders, IDOE strives to develop supports aligned to the modernized Algebra II standards. Additionally, IDOE plans to leverage the partnership with the University of Texas at Austin’s Charles A. Dana Center Launch Years Initiative to identify a strategic plan for supporting Algebra II and develop a potential integrated mathematics and data science fourth-year mathematics course.
Indiana Learning Lab Courses for Educators:
- STEM School Certification
IDOE’s STEM Certified Schools program prioritizes the integrated STEM approaches to teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Certification process exemplifies the importance of inquiry, problem-based learning, community engagement, student-centered classrooms, and out-of-school STEM activities. Schools receiving the distinction of an Indiana STEM Certified School have aligned their programs with the mission, vision, and three priorities outlined in Indiana’s Priorities for STEM Education.
The following schools went through a rigorous application and review process in order to earn the designation as STEM Certified Schools!
Congratulations to the following schools for achieving Full STEM Certification!
View the STEM Certified Schools on an Indiana map, download a PDF or view a list online.
K-8 schools working to achieve STEM School Certification should review the following materials:
- 2024-2025 K-8 STEM School Certification Guide
- 2024-2025 K-8 STEM School Certification Evaluation Rubric
- 2024-2025 K-8 STEM School Certification Site Visit Evaluation Rubric
Secondary schools, including junior/senior high schools, high schools, and career centers, working to achieve STEM School Certification should review the following materials:
- Computer Science
IDOE is committed to expanding quality computer science education in Indiana. Indiana has prioritized computer science education through the passage of Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 172 (2018), requiring every school to incorporate computer science in the school's curriculum for K-12 students. In 2023, Indiana revised existing K-8 Indiana Academic Standards for computer science to closely align with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Standards for K-12 education to prepare students for a variety of computer science course offerings available for high schools. IDOE is committed to providing every student in Indiana with the opportunity to learn computer science, as this is an increasingly necessary step in preparing students to be productive citizens in an ever-changing, technology-driven world.
More information about computer science in Indiana can be found here.
- 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
Total Solar Eclipse Resources from our State Agency Partners
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