The STEM Talk: Your 30-Minute, Monthly STEM Pulse Check

EPISODE 8 | States Take the Wheel 11.6.25

Statehouses are driving the next wave of STEM innovation—from AI in classrooms to new funding models for career-connected learning and urgent action on teacher recruitment. Get insights from emerging state networks leading workforce partnerships, K-12 alignment, and real-world career pathways. Discover what these shifts mean for your ecosystem and how to position for success in 2026.

EPISODE 7 | Don't Get Caught Napping! 10.9.25

We're breaking down the federal policy shifts you can't afford to miss: appropriations updates, new NSF funding pathways despite recent disruptions, critical RFIs from the Department of Education, evolving competitive grant priorities, and the Presidential AI Challenge. Discover what these changes mean for STEM education funding and how to position your programs for success.

EPISODE 6 | Show Me The Money! 9.4.25

Strategic insights into how congressional appropriations shape federal funding, breaking down the 2026 budget process. Join our experts as they decode the federal budget landscape, examine funding trends and priorities, and provide strategic guidance for STEM organizations looking to navigate and leverage federal funding opportunities in the coming fiscal year.

EPISODE 5 | Advocacy Works! 8.7.25

A behind-the-scenes strategies and lessons learned from recent successful efforts that influenced federal education funding decisions, providing actionable insights for building effective and sustainable STEM advocacy. The session features Dr. Anita Krishnamurthi from the Afterschool Alliance, Della Cronin from Bose Public Affairs Group, and James Brown from the STEM Education Coalition. Together, they'll explore the advocacy journey, key lessons from recent wins, and how the STEM community can prepare for future policy challenges.

EPISODE 4 | Pathways to STEM 7.3.25

Join our guest experts, Melissa Moritz, Alliance for Learning Innovation, and Jeff Weld, STEM Education Coalition, explore how federal policy translates into classroom impact. They discuss strategies for expanding access to high-quality STEM learning, building sustainable workforce pipelines, and connecting students to STEM careers.