2026-2027 Partnership Grants

The Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center (KAYSC) at the Science Museum of Minnesota, established in 1996, provides educational and youth development experiences across a developmental and educational continuum that allows youth ages 6-24 to experience STEM and Community Leadership, Youth Development, and Workforce Readiness programming through age-appropriate activities. Our program encompasses STEM education as a way to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills necessary for modern life and work. The partnership grant will support expanding the KAYSC’s Skills Marketplace into a coordinated, 6-8 month workforce development and work-based learning model that prepares youth for emerging opportunities in Information Technology and AI, Design & Data Analytics, and Manufacturing Technology.

30,000 Feet’s (30K) empowers youth ages 5-18 in East Saint Paul to overcome systemic barriers through creative learning experiences that build confidence, identity, and long-term opportunity.30K has extensive experience delivering STEM programming and workforce-aligned STEM education. The partnership grant will expand our signature program, Tech Geeks; a workforce development initiative designed to equip under resourced youth with in-demand technical skills, industry-recognized certifications, and real-world work experience that leads to sustainable career opportunities in the technology sector.

STEM Forward is an initiative of the Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC) to expand STEM literacy, connect students with hands-on learning, internships, and career pathways, and strengthen career-connected learning aligned with workforce needs. Partnering with K–12 and higher education, industries, the trades, and other organizations, through STEM Forward SSC aligns STEM education with workforce demands, building a diverse talent pipeline. The partnership grant will support Advancing AI Literacy with Computer Science Educators for All; a professional development initiative designed to empower K–12 educators in Southeast Minnesota to lead the way in artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science (CS) literacy. The curriculum focuses on four key areas: understanding foundational AI principles such as machine learning and data representation; examining ethical considerations including bias, privacy, and responsible use; leveraging AI tools to enhance instruction through personalized learning and automated feedback; and integrating AI literacy across subjects beyond traditional computer science.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is focused on building a thriving community of educators and young creators in Minnesota through Code Clubs and professional development opportunities for educators. Following the success of the 2025 Computer Science event, which brought together over 120 educators and partners the 2026 conference will expand to reach more educators, administrators, and nonprofits from across Minnesota. The partnership grant will support the expanded event; the Raspberry Pi Foundation, in partnership with CSTA MN, will offer workshops on AI pedagogy, inclusive computing instruction, and project-based learning, keynote sessions and a “CS Playground” for hands-on exploration of robotics, physical computing, and digital making.

Minnesota FFA is an organization for agriculture students in grades 7-12 whose mission is to develop premier leadership, personal growth, and career success in students. Statewide, there are approximately 16,000 FFA student members. By embedding STEM learning into agriculture coursework, students see the direct application of emerging technologies applied to solving food, energy, and environmental challenges. The partnership grant will support an initiative to place drone classroom packs and software into agricultural education programs statewide to equip students with a better understanding of how drone usage along with AI, and data analysis are transforming production agriculture.

High Tech Kids is the official Minnesota affiliate of FIRST Robotics, delivering FIRST LEGO League Explore, FIRST LEGO League Challenge, and FIRST Tech Challenge. These programs foster curiosity, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. High Tech Kids is dedicated to closing the STEM opportunity gap by engaging K–12 students in hands-on, mentor-supported robotics and coding programs. The partnership grant will support expanding equitable access to FIRST robotics programs hosted by High Tech Kids, especially in underrepresented and rural communities; including supporting new team startups with coaching, training, equipment guidance, and participation fee assistance to remove barriers and ensure long-term engagement.

Minnesota Diversified Industries, Inc. (MDI) has more than six decades experience as a statewide leader in inclusive employment and workforce development. With four manufacturing facilities, robust administrative and management systems, and strong leadership, the organization has the capacity to design, deliver, and scale high-quality training programs for people with disabilities across Minnesota. The partnership grant will support the expansion of the VR component of its Unified Work career readiness program by increasing access to VR-based work experiences and microcredentials for youth with disabilities. The project builds on Unified Work’s six-year track record of equipping youth and adults with disabilities with the skills, confidence, and experiences needed to succeed in the workforce.

The Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC) works to expand STEM literacy, connect students with hands-on learning, internships, and career pathways, and strengthen career-connected learning aligned with workforce needs. Partnering with K–12 and higher education, industries, the trades, and other organizations, SSC aligns STEM education with workforce demands, building a diverse talent pipeline. SSC’s shared, scalable lending library of mobile science labs, VR equipment, and solar suitcases makes high-impact tools accessible regionally, complementing professional development and student enrichment programs. The partnership grant will introduce drones and VR through the STEM Forward lending library and asynchronous pedagogy, equipping educators with cutting-edge tools. In partnership with the Transportation Center of Excellence, REC Foundation, and local industry, SSC will engage students and teachers in “real world” drone challenges and competitions that currently do not exist in the region.

The Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) is one of Minnesota’s leading cultural attractions and educational resources – a result of our commitment to premier science content, memorable and personalized visitor and school audience experiences, relevant and inspiring science education, and equitable and impactful STEM learning opportunities for all. SMM’s Center for STEM Education is dedicated to enhancing a young person’s experience with STEM by being present where support is needed most – be it in schools, community centers, at the museum located in St. Paul, or online. The partnership grant will support AI Foundations: Professional Development for Educators; professional development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) content and pedagogy for Minnesota teachers through a series of educator workshops.

The Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence is the premier partner in developing energy education and workforce solutions across the state. Through collaborative partnerships with industry, education, and government, the Center connects students and educators with hands-on learning experiences that illuminate energy systems, sustainability, and career pathways. The partnership grant will support the Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence, in cooperation with the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Minnesota Service Cooperatives and all Minnesota State Centers of Excellence, pilot of regional STEM Lending Libraries in Greater Minnesota to expand access to high-quality STEM and CTE learning tools. Regional lending libraries can serve as place-based hubs of collaboration for educators, training providers, and community organizations—bridging classroom learning with real-world application and career exploration connected to local labor markets.

Ignite Afterschool is Minnesota’s Statewide Afterschool Network focused on strengthening youth development practice in afterschool and summer youth programs across the state. For over a decade, Ignite Afterschool has actively promoted the effectiveness of out-of-school time (OST) in STEM learning programs. The partnership grant will support the implementation of a Career-Connected Learning Professional Learning Cohort (PLC) aligned with the STEM Next Opportunity Fund’s Career-Connected Learning: A Framework for Out-of-School Providers. The Framework outlines three stages of career-connected learning—awareness (elementary), exploration (middle school), and preparedness (high school)—and four foundational strategies that help out-of-school providers STEM-to-career connections.

Minnesota State Engineering and Applied Manufacturing Center of Excellence promotes connectivity between industry and Minnesota State colleges and universities. The Center facilitates relationships by engaging academic institutions with industry and providing educational outreach by inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The Center works to foster accessibility to the latest technologies, workforce programs, and post-secondary education. The Center is home to the Lean Leader Lab and the Engineering Machine Design Contest. The partnership grant will support youth STEM Internships and the development of workforce readiness skills. In addition, the Center will also be working with VEX robotics in Greater Minnesota to reduce the barriers to expand equitable access to robotics programs; including supporting new team startups with coaching, training, equipment guidance, and participation fee assistance to remove barriers and ensure long-term engagement.

SciMathMN has extensive experience delivering high-impact, workforce-aligned STEM programming and enhancing educator pedagogy, making learning equitable and accessible across Minnesota. The partnership grant will be used to bolster the Minnesota STEM Teacher Center (STC), developed with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE); a vital online resource providing over 300 instructional Frameworks—standards-aligned teaching tools—to help K-12 educators, administrators, and parents translate state math and science standards into effective classroom practice.

The Works Museum has 30 years of experience delivering high-quality STEM programming that builds curiosity, confidence, and early awareness of STEM and skilled trades careers. Each year, they engage over 62,000 children, families, and educators across Minnesota through hands-on field trips, workshops, camps, and community events. The partnership grant will support the expansion of the Career Connections, an elementary career-exploration program that strengthens Minnesota’s STEM talent pipeline by introducing engineering concepts and role models early, before students make key decisions that shape future opportunities. The program uses a place-based approach connecting learning to local industry and community contexts. This includes the development of a Career Connections Toolkit to be shared statewide.

STARBASE Minnesota, Inc. has served over 100,000 students since 1993. With two facilities in Duluth and St. Paul the reach of the program extends through the Metro area as well as over 500 square miles of northeast Minnesota. Specifically, the Duluth program has served over 16,000 in just the eight years since our doors opened in 2017. The partnership grant will bolster the Duluth program; aligned with four key career skills: Teamwork, Perseverance, Creativity, and Curiosity.

For over 30 years, TPT has been a national leader in children’s STEM media and education. Created in Minnesota and shared nationwide, our standards-aligned programming uses a proven three-part model: (1) STEM instruction and career exposure for youth; (2) professional development for educators; and (3) resources for parents and caregivers to support STEM learning. The partnership grant will support the growth and accessibility of the widely utilized Learn Academies: standards-based STEM learning for youth in grades K–8. In FY25, the Academies served 2,417 participants (2,352 youth and 65 educators) across the metro. All resources—curricula, media, and professional development—are freely accessible online, ensuring broad impact beyond partner sites.