Grant STEM Week 2025 Design Challenge

Background
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the Executive Office of Education, is issuing a grant to support the implementation of the STEM Week 2025 Design Challenge. This initiative aims to enhance STEM education across the state by engaging students and teachers in a week-long design challenge that incorporates curricula, activities, and professional development.

The program is scheduled for October 20-24, 2025, and is part of the efforts by the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council to promote STEM skills through applied learning and partnerships between education and industry.

Work Details
The grant will fund one or more non-profit or public education organizations to implement a multi-grade-level design challenge that includes:
- Development of corresponding curricula and activities tailored for various grade levels (PK-12).
- Teacher support and professional development to effectively deliver the design challenge.
- Engagement with underrepresented student populations in STEM fields.
- A focus on themes such as sustainability or technology innovation.
- Strategies for both in-person and hybrid participation formats.

Period of Performance
The project duration spans from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026 (Year 1), with potential continuation into Year 2 from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

Place of Performance
The contract will be performed statewide across Massachusetts, specifically targeting regions defined as a minimum of two Workforce Skills Cabinet WIOA regions.

Bidder Requirements
Eligible applicants must be non-profit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status or public education organizations compliant with Massachusetts General Laws. Priority will be given to applicants demonstrating success in providing access to applied learning curricula and those who can detail plans for serving underrepresented populations in STEM.

Additionally, applicants are encouraged to obtain certification through the Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) for enhanced scoring preference.