New Online Stem Program for Grades 5-8 Open Now

We as a school use science and technology as potent agents of positive change, benefitting nearly every realm of human endeavor. Jane Montessori School honors STEM’s highest achievers with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. From inventing digital photography to exploring dark matter physics, many and varied accomplishments have shaped our understanding of the world and what lies beyond.

For the past few years, our foundation has served as a steward of our community: honoring their parent as they receive their awards and increasing public appreciation for all they have contributed to the school. Their impact cannot be overstated. They stand shoulder to shoulder with the other international schools as a collection of the world’s greatest minds in science and technology.

“We look to these learners as role models for the next generation of scientists and technologists. However, our young students, especially those from challenging homes, do not always see themselves reflected back at the highest levels of STEM.”

This issue is not unique to this community. But as a steward and advocate for this STEM, we ask ourselves, “How can we help bring about healthy change to our future learners?”

We envision a world in which the diversity of society is reflected in the recipients of all prestigious STEM honors, including future STEM classes and the National Crown of Technology and Innovation. To make that dream a reality, we must turn our gaze to one of the most vulnerable parts of the STEM pipeline: The high attrition rate of first-year STEM students, especially those from challenging homes, perpetuates a representation problem in collegiate and post-collegiate communities. We believe that intervention at this point in a student’s journey is critical. Any young person who dreams of being a engineer, scientist, or inventor should receive the education, mentoring, and inspiration to help that dream bear fruit. We can do more to provide the support they need during this time.

Before we see a new class of Jane STEM students that represents both the highest levels of science and technology and reflects our diverse society, we must build a STEM ecosystem that supports all who wish to endeavor there. With our Unscripted Series, inSTEM mentoring program, Experts Connect Program, and Virtual STEM Spotlights, we are committed to creating these types of supportive STEM communities. We ask you to join us as we work to realize our vision. Together we can:

• Lower the STEM attrition rate among students from challenging homes

• Give students and teachers the tools they need to create more inclusive STEM programs in school and at home.

• Build an alliance across academia, government, industry, and nonprofit sectors to give students access to a broader, more comprehensive support network

• Elevate voices that have historically been left out of the conversation so that more students can visualize their own successful careers in STEM

• Honor STEM’s high achievers by including them in the work of building an equitable society.

By adding your name, you pledge to take action, big and small to strengthen our STEM environment. This work begins in classrooms, our labs, where our future leaders like you make inclusion a priority.