Through a generous surplus grant from IEEE MGA, Regions 5 and 6 are able to offer STEM kits to sections.  These kits include all the basics needed to start or expand STEM programs, targeting students from 4th grade to high school.  We will also provide you with teaching materials and training. REIMBURSEMENT deadline is December 10, 2024.

Before you schedule and host your STEM programs, you must complete required IEEE trainings.

About the Kits

We have designed these STEM kits to be reusable and to give you everything you need to be able to offer a beginner-intermediate level STEM experience. Purchasing 1 of each item on the list below will allow you to create 10 squishy circuits, 4 basic breadboard circuits, and 1 micro:bit for shared group use.

Curriculum to go with the kits is available here. We will provide you with a sequence of lessons  – spanning from squishy circuits (playdoh) to breadboards and even micro:bit programmable embedded computers! These lessons can be used together over multiple events or individually for a one time STEM experience.

The rest of the lessons will be available very soon!

How to  Apply for a STEM Kit

There are just a few simple steps that your section needs to complete to get your kits and get going.

  1. If interested in applying for this program, send a preliminary email to the following email address. The Subject Line for this (and all followup emails) should be your Section Name.
    • For Region 5: r5stemkits@ieeer5.org
    • For Region 6: r6stemkits@ieeer5.org
  2. Provide a primary point of contact for your STEM programs in your section. (The region will use this person to contact about all upcoming STEM opportunities).
  3. Provide the names of volunteers who are interested in working with children. Have them join the IEEE Pre-University STEM Community here. And request access to Course 1 – PreU STEM Outreach: Getting Started.
  4. Provide proof of purchase of the kit materials. Purchasing 1 of each item on the list will allow you to create 10 squishy circuits, 4 basic breadboard circuits, and 1 micro:bit for group use. Based on your individual sections interest level, you can purchase additional items from the list up to a total of $200.
    • Shopping list available here.
  5. Email all required items listed in items 1-4 to the above address for your region to qualify for reimbursement for your Stem kit.

You do not need to email everything at once, you can send things as you go.  An example for a section in Region 5 follows:

To: r5stemkits@ieeer5.org

Subject: XXXXX Section

  1. Our section would like to participate!
  2. Our point of contact is Jane Smith: jane.smith@mail.mail
  3. Our volunteers include Jim John, Jane Smith, and they have  joined the IEEE Pre-University STEM Community and  requested access to Course 1: PreU STEM Outreach: Getting Started
  4. Our receipt for STEM kit (<$200 total) is attached.

We will be starting an online training series soon where you will get hands-on training with your kits!

More Information on Hosting IEEE STEM Events

We want this to be an opportunity to engage more IEEE Volunteers in STEM education, but this is just the first step in becoming an IEEE STEM Volunteer. Before you can host a PreU STEM event, there are a number of additional steps. We have tried to outline them all here. You do not have to complete the following to be reimbursed for your kits, but we hope by the time you have received your kits and completed your training that you will be ready to organize events of your own.

  1. Complete the IEEE Working with Children Registration Form here. This form must be completed 60 days prior to the start of the event. IEEE Office of Risk Management will decide if additional training and Background screening are required. Read through and make sure you follow all the steps outlined here.
  2. Complete Pre-University STEM Volunteer Training Course 1 – Getting Started available here.
  3. Let us know when you schedule your events! Include #stemkit in the Tags/Keywords section when you create your vTools event so that we can follow.
  4. When you host your event, have parents complete the IEEE Photo Release so that you can share pictures of your event! Appendix C in the Working with Children Guidelines