November 2025 Issue

Your Continued Support

Helps Us Finish Strong

Fuel the Momentum on Giving Tuesday!

Every year, C-STEM transforms the lives of thousands of students through creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we have already reached 76% of our $150,000 fundraising goal for the 2025–2026 program year. We’re close, but we’re not there yet. You can help us cross the finish line.

Giving Tuesday is December 2!

This season, consider putting your support behind C-STEM and helping us reach our goal.

Ways you can support:

Share our donation link with friends, family, and on your social media platforms
Recommend C-STEM to your company’s corporate giving or matching funds program
Make a gift of any amount—even $10 makes a meaningful impact

Your Gift Directly Powers:

✅ Teacher Training

Accredited professional development through the C-STEM Challenge, equipping educators with tools to inspire and engage their students.

✅ Signature Toolkits

Hands-on materials that elevate CTE, after-school, and out-of-school programming with project-based STEM learning.

✅ Challenge Showcases & Competitions

Opportunities for students to present year-long projects to peers, educators, families, and the community—building confidence, creativity, and leadership.

With your support, C-STEM continues to ignite curiosity, fuel innovation, and open doors for the next generation of STEM leaders.

Be the reason a student discovers their future in STEM.

Join us today!

Donate Now

Training & Toolkit Resources Offer a Full Spectrum of Possibilities

Bringing C-STEM into the classroom means opening doors to creativity, to confidence, and to futures your students may have never imagined. By integrating the C-STEM curriculum and toolkits into daily instruction and ultimately participating in a C-STEM Challenge, educators provide students with the most accessible pathway to real-world, relevant STEM experiences.

These hands-on learning opportunities not only close academic gaps but also prepare students for the high-demand STEM careers of tomorrow.

Whether you're beginning with a single module or planning a complete C-STEM Challenge, we're with you every step of the way. Educators can choose the training and toolkit combinations that meet their needs, and now—with our two new membership options—schools and districts can gain expanded access to a robust, full-scale suite of C-STEM resources.

Together, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to explore, innovate, and see themselves as the next generation of STEM leaders.

Give To Get Empowers C-STEM to Reach More Students with a Generous Robotics Gift

This October, C-STEM had the privilege of hosting the organization Give To Get for a special reception celebrating their generous donation of 25 Brown Dog rovers. These robotics units will be used across C-STEM summer camps, the annual C-STEM Challenge, and additional student innovation initiatives—expanding access to hands-on STEM learning for hundreds of students.

C-STEM board members, Dr. Reagan Flowers and Seun Harris along with the Office Manager Cam Burkins welcomed Miles Reed from Give To Get with a tour of the C-STEM headquarters and an opportunity to see firsthand how this contribution will support our mission.

We are sincerely grateful to Give To Get for championing community partnerships and helping organizations like C-STEM make a meaningful impact in the lives of young learners.

Stay tuned, exciting updates are coming as we put these new robotics resources into action!

Get Ready for a Groundbreaking Presentation Tour and a Traveling Exhibit

C-STEM is offering several new initiatives this academic year:

Launched the new C-STEM ROV Code Challenge, underwater robotics
Four (4) presentations are available for the NextGen Intelligence experience, email [email protected] to schedule your presentation, first come, first serve.
The “Becoming to Empowering: 400 Years of STEM” traveling exhibit, which explores and celebrates the intersection of African American history and STEM. Students of all ages are encouraged to attend.

Get involved in our efforts! Email [email protected] to donate your time or talents, purchase toolkits, learn about the new curriculum, bring NextGen Intelligence to your school or program, or host the museum exhibit.

STEM Education Insights

The Future of Education Hangs in the Balance: Why Federal Oversight Still Matters

Written by: Reagan Flowers, Ph.D.

In March, President Trump signed an executive order to initiate the process of downsizing the Department of Education, describing it as a step toward reducing administrative costs and enhancing student outcomes. While it would ultimately take an act of Congress to close the department, recent reporting by PBS and ProPublica suggests that significant changes are already underway to reshape the nation's education system.

Keep reading...

C-STEM Founder Speaks at Two Events for Premier Black Tech Conference AfroTech

"Building Businesses That Matter" in conjunction with

Black Book Houston

Key Insight: When data guides our decisions, policy protects our progress, and STEM education builds strong talent pipelines, we can create businesses that empower communities, accelerate opportunity, and drive sustainable impact.

"The Role of Technology in Creativity and Culture" in conjunction with The Anderson Center for the Arts Houston hosted at the Lawndale Art Center

Key Insight: The true power of AI becomes evident when we move beyond using it like a Google App and instead use it to build equitable digital ecosystems. When guided by purpose and values, AI becomes a co-creator, helping transform ideas into narratives that inspire learning, innovation, and empowerment.

These events provided unique opportunities to share our perspectives on STEM education while connecting with tech professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs to learn how to even better prepare our students for the STEM workforce of tomorrow.

Join Our Mission

Email Us About Sponsoring the 2026 Breakfast

2024 Annual Report

2025 Stakeholder Report

More than 85% of C-STEM high school students say they plan to attend college, compared to national average of 70%.

Read the Full STEM Education Insight

Opportunities & Deadlines

For Students & Parents

Tomashi Jackson: Across the Universe

Nearly a decade of work across disciplines creates a practice vibrant in research driven works that scrutinizes the mechanics of societal power and recognizes the triumphs of people of color. Mediums in this free exhibit include printmaking, video, photography, fiber, and sculpture. (Ongoing at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.)

Learn More

Opportunity for Future Doctors and Lawyers

Tennessee State University offers an accelerated pathway program that empowers students to graduate from medical or dental school more quickly and debt free.

Learn More and Apply

For Teachers & Leaders

$10,000 Shell Science Teaching Awards

Shell has partnered with the National Science Teaching Association to offer awards of up to $10,000 for K-12 teachers who teach science. Applications are due by Dec. 19.

Learn More and Apply

Teaching Webinars

ISTE + ASCD is offering two virtual webinars in November: the Nov. 6 offering will cover building virtual field trips into coursework and the Nov. 19 session will dive into studying fascinating people and places to build character in students.

Learn More and Register