K-12 STEM Outreach Community

Community Mission

The K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Outreach Community of Interest’s mission is to promote and support pathways to STEM degrees and STEM careers for K-12 students as part of the national strategic effort to produce more STEM professionals for the nation.

Vision

The K-12 STEM Outreach Committee provides for the security of the nation by ensuring a robust STEM workforce.

Scope

K-12 students need to be exposed to STEM activities, degrees, and careers as they move up the academic ladder. The committee will work with the network of Posts, individual members, sustaining members, service branches, and strategic partners to increase opportunities for STEM exposure for K-12 students. The COI will also promote the Society’s STEM programming at local, regional, and national events, as resources allow.

Activities

• Categorize different examples of how the Post/individuals support K-12 STEM at the local level
• Identify and provide guest speakers/webinars on relevant topics
• Serve as a clearinghouse of STEM information
• Provide a calendar of STEM (SAME/Post and external) events and points of contacts

To learn more about the K-12 STEM Outreach Community of interest, contact a member of the Steering Committee, or reach out to Amy McGeever, STEM Coordinator.

Community Chair

Victoria Hernandez
Program Manager, AFCEC

Immediate Past Community Chair

Joshua Graham, P.E., PMP, F.SAME
Project Manager, HDR

View Joshua’s leadership profile.

Upcoming National Webinars

• 
  April 15, 2026

  Webinar

  Solving Complex CVOC Problems with ISTR– Field Proven Approaches

  This webinar will first discuss the unique aspects of performance-based designs when considering procurement of thermal remediation services. Next, we will discuss how to evaluate criteria when selecting performance objectives, i.e., “ how do you define success?”
• 
  April 16, 2026

  Webinar

  The National Spatial Reference System: Modernizing Our Geodetic Foundation for the Future

  The National Geodetic Survey (NGS), within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is in the process of making the critical transition from the current National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) to the upcoming, modernized (2022) system.
• 
  May 14, 2026

  Webinar

  CMMC Level 2: What A/E Firms Must Know Before November

  Starting November 10, 2026, the Department of Defense will require CMMC Level 2 certification for contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Unlike prior self-attestation requirements, this mandate requires verification by an accredited third-party assessor before a firm can be awarded or retain applicable DoD contracts.

Related TME Articles – K-12 STEM Outreach

• 

  Determining the Presence of PFAS in Coated Bentonite Pellets

  January 24, 2023

  A recent study, which investigated the potential for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to leach from coated bentonite pellets commonly used during environmental monitoring well construction, also revealed the extent of consequences derived from false positives during site samplings.
• 

  Assessing a Threatened Fish Species Using Remotely Operated Vehicle Technology

  January 18, 2023

  To survey the population of the pygmy sculpin, a small, federally protected fish that is highly vulnerable to environmental stressors due to its limited distribution, an innovative method was developed using remotely operated vehicle technology.
• 

  Leveraging Small Business

  November 17, 2022

  Expanding opportunities for small businesses to serve in lead roles could help bolster the capabilities of the defense industrial base and provide capacity for federal agencies.
• 

  Missile Defense Activities in Alaska

  November 16, 2022

  For more than 70 years, Alaska’s geographically strategic location has served the United States as an ideal base for housing missile defense and radar sensing installations to protect the nation from missile threats.