TGR Foundation and DoD STEM Partner to Invest in Educators, Prepare Youth for STEM Workforce
TGR Foundation and DoD STEM are working together to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce by engaging students, educators and professionals in STEM activities and making real-world connections. The partnership has made a significant impact through strategic programming that exposes students to STEM careers and helps them develop skills to work toward their careers. Following are details about several programs underway this year.
“Through our partnership with DoD STEM, TGR Foundation is providing experiences for students, families and educators that propel students toward STEM careers,” said John Lee, Senior Vice President, Programs and Education. “We are committed to ensuring students – especially those who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM – are prepared for their futures.”
Organizers of the Pathways to College and Careers Conference welcomed military-connected students and families to the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, VA in September 2023. This event featured a variety of workshops and resources for high-school students and their parents, all aimed at helping students prepare for life after high school.
To this end, since 2021 the TGR Foundation has managed the DoD STEM Ambassador Program, a yearlong professional development program for educators, particularly those in military-connected communities or school districts with a majority of students who are underrepresented in STEM fields.
This year’s program recently launched with 26 ambassadors – the largest cohort to date. TGR Foundation selected Randy Kolset as its representative. Koslet is an educational technology coordinator with Orange Unified School District, who brings more than 20 years experience in STEM education and a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the program. In addition to his work as a DoD STEM Ambassador, Koslet will also support TGR Foundation’s other educational offerings to the community.
“It is a tremendous honor to serve as TGR Foundation’s DoD STEM Ambassador,” Koslet said. “I am eager to collaborate with STEM educators nationwide, and look forward to exchanging ideas, developing new curricula and programs, and learning new ways to inspire students to love STEM.”
Koslet recently attended the DoD STEM-supported first annual TGR Foundation Educator Symposium where he joined Southern California educators at the TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim for a professional development day packed with 10 workshops, STEM classroom activities and a resource fair.
TGR Foundation is grateful for its ongoing partnership with DoD STEM and believes that this type of support will help close representation gaps in the STEM workforce as students gain access to opportunities designed to help them pursue and excel in STEM roles. For more information on partnership opportunities and ways to get involved, visit tgrfoundation.org/champions.
ABOUT THE DEFENSE STEM EDUCATION CONSORTIUM
DSEC, fully funded by the DoD and managed by RTI International, is a collaborative partnership of STEM-focused organizations dedicated to addressing and prioritizing the nation’s STEM talent. In support of the DoD STEM Strategic Plan, Fiscal Years 2021–2025 and aligned with the 2018 Federal STEM Strategic Plan, DSEC aims to broaden STEM literacy and develop a diverse and agile workforce with the technical excellence to defend the nation. Through strategic investments in STEM education and outreach activities, DSEC partner efforts provide students and educators with exposure to educational and workforce development opportunities as well as awareness about career opportunities in STEM fields across the DoD. For more information, visit https://dodstem.us/stem-programs/partners.
