National Science Foundation RII Track-1 Project:Expanding Research, Education and Innovation in South Dakota
South Dakota Organizations Receive STEM Diversity Grants
BROOKINGS, SD – The South Dakota Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (SD EPSCoR) is honored to announce the 2018 recipients of their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Diversity Grants. Applications were submitted by school districts, post-secondary institutions, educational service providers, non-profit organizations and other entities supporting STEM education and outreach activities in South Dakota.
A key component of the EPSCoR project is to increase the number of individuals from underrepresented groups engaged in STEM activities. In addition to increasing the number of students involved in STEM, the grants are designed to increase student awareness, knowledge and skills through participation in science fairs and other activities exposing participants to a range of STEM careers available in South Dakota. This year’s recipients include:
- Augustana University – Gama Zeta
- Black Hills State University – Women in Science Conference
- Dakota Wesleyan University – Science Fair
- Lake Area Technical Institute – Women in Science Conference
- Oglala Lakota College
- South Dakota Code Camp
- South Dakota Discovery Center
- South Dakota Future Farmers of America (FFA) Foundation
- South Dakota School of Mines & Technology – Science Fair
- South Dakota State University Biology
- Todd County School District – Science Fair
- White River School District – Science Fair
“The awards assist in developing meaningful partnerships between state government, K-12, higher education and the private sector to strengthen STEM education for diverse audiences,” said Mel Ustad, SD EPSCoR Director. “Utilizing statewide initiatives to improve instruction for underrepresented groups and those in remote regions will help us diversify South Dakota’s STEM workforce.”
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About SD EPSCoR:
EPSCoR was started by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance research competitiveness by strengthening STEM capacity and capability. SD EPSCoR helps build partnerships between K-12, higher education, state government, and the private sector to enrich research, education, and economic development throughout the state. SD EPSCoR is supported by NSF/EPSCoR Award IIA-1355423 and by the State of South Dakota.