It’s a moment for STEM investment in Delaware.
On the national stage, the state’s congressional delegation just marked an $8 million federal infusion from the U.S. National Science Foundation for science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related research and workforce development in the First State.
Democratic Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester, alongside Rep. Sarah McBride on Thursday announced the award headed to “E-CORE RII: Strengthening Partnerships for Advancing Research Capacity in Delaware.” That’s a project tying together various Delaware institutions, with leadership from University of Delaware and collaboration from Delaware State University, Delaware Technical and Community College, Goldey-Beacom College and Wilmington University.
The project aims to fuel cross-institutional work, according to a press release from lawmakers, focused on strengthening the state’s data and intellectual property infrastructure, improving communication and access to STEM programming and supporting entrepreneurial training.
Leaders expressed excitement across institutions and delegation in the press release, with an eye on the future.
The goal? Boosting cutting-edge research across disciplines and growing Delaware’s knowledge economy.
And that hasn’t only come in higher education.
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ICYMI: Wilmington STEM Hub opens its doors to students and more
A finished, 24,000-square-foot Chemours Community STEM Hub opened doors to it’s Riverside neighborhood this month.
The roughly $27 million project touted by state and community leaders alike marked its official opening beside EastSide Charter School, an educational anchor in the Riverside neighborhood. The idea born in darker periods of pandemic shutdown, when the same K-8 school realized the strength of its community trust, had become reality.
And it’s about more than the school.
“What’s amazing about this STEM Hub is that it’s open to the entire public,” said Aaron Bass, CEO of EastSide, standing in a new esports lab ahead of the ribbon cutting. “That means there’s workforce development for adults in STEM. We’re the only open-access center for STEM in the entire state, which means that you can walk in from anywhere and be trained in robotics, be trained in coding, be trained in lab technician assistants.”
Career mentorship, robotics, chemistry, biology, renewable energy, science competitions, adults learning to code – coming programing is hard to list. It will fill sleek new rooms, connected by bright hallway murals and open social spaces.
The new outfit will double as a community center after school, on weekends and in the summer, as explained by lead donor Chemours, a $4 million donor to the hub and global chemical company based in Delaware, even before its groundbreaking. Wilmington Public Library will staff during such non-school hours.
Alongside that vision also comes a community health center, run by partner Westside Family Health Care. This will not only offer primary care for students, according to Bass, but provide wrap-around mental health support to families and walk-ins from the community.
“We all know the extraordinary history and legacy and power of Wilmington, EastSide and the young people here who will help lead us into the future,” Sen. Blunt Rochester said via video at the ribbon cutting. “And for me, this project is really about one thing – giving our young people the skills they need to be successful in their journey to living their own individual purpose.”
EastSide Charter: $27 million STEM Hub aims to catalyze more than scientific study in Wilmington
Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware lands $8 million infusion to boost STEM research, workforce