Introducing the STEM Workforce Fellowship

For the past 4 years, we have partnered with the Office of Naval Research to provide an externship opportunity to Tennessee teachers with the Manufacturing and Engineering Externship Program [MEEP]. This program has provided opportunities to over 350 teachers across the state to expand their knowledge of project and problem based learning and become immersed in manufacturing trades and skills through an on-site externship. The Manufacturing and Engineering Externship Program is coming to an end because the grant from the Office of Naval Research will end in September 2022. However, as this particular program ends, a new program emerges. We, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education and the Future Workforce Initiative, developed the STEM Workforce Fellowship. 

The STEM Workforce Fellowship seeks to equip Tennessee educators with the skills and knowledge to develop future-ready talent by addressing the growing STEM skills gap in the STEM industry sectors. Experts believe the skills gap will get much worse before it gets better. A study conducted by Deloitte for the Manufacturing Institute estimates that, over the next decade, 4.6 million manufacturing and STEM jobs will need to be filled. Engaging K-12 Tennessee educators in a paid winter externship with local companies in STEM industries will help Tennessee bridge the gap by building educator capacity to prepare the workforce of tomorrow.

The SWF is a competitive program and will require educators to complete an application. Educators are encouraged to apply in teams of two, with each educator filling out an individual application. In conjunction with the application, educators are asked to seek principal support to participate in the cohort because educators are required to be out of the building multiple times throughout the fall/winter semester. Having principal support will help prepare for those absences required by the externship. All Tennessee educators are eligible to apply and will be trained by TSIN staff in problem based learning best practices and authentic development of community industry partnerships. At the conclusion of the externship experience, educators will develop a PBL curriculum unit that exposes their students to industry skills and career opportunities. Educators who complete the required expectations for the cohort will receive a $1,500 travel stipend.

We are so excited to bring the STEM Workforce Fellowship opportunity to Tennessee educators. To learn more about the program timeline and expectations, please visit the SWF page.

Applications will open on September 1, 2022 and close on September 27, 2022.