The Zero Barriers in STEM Education: Accessibility and Inclusion Program – May 27

Posted by Smithsonian Science Education Center on May 10, 2022

The Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Zero Barriers in STEM Education Accessibility and Inclusion Program is an initiative focused  on increasing the prevalence of accessible and inclusive practices in STEM education and school culture for students with disabilities.  The program convenes teams of educators representing schools, districts, and state education agencies across the US together for an education summit, to develop logic models that focus on a problem of practice related to accessible and inclusive STEM programs and school culture within their context for students with disabilities. The program also provides mid-year professional development to educators selected for the program.

The Summit: Over the course of 2 ½ days between July 12 -14, 2022 in our nation’s capital, teams, and their assigned mentor, work together to identify their problem and develop their plan of action to be implemented for 18 months following the summit. Developing a logic model at the summit is the first of many steps that educators take to serve as change agents in their organizations, when participating in this program. As team members build their capacity to be leaders and initiate change in their educational ecosystem, we also want them to understand the importance of engaging all stakeholders in decision-making processes, especially when addressing systemic issues. To that end, teams must also be comprised of a diverse group of individuals that operate within different areas of the organization, that include a teacher or administrator who has expertise in working with students with disabilities.

The deadline to apply as a team or mentor is Friday, May 27, 2022 at 5pm Eastern.

Learn more.