MN STEM Ecosystem News

The gathering opened with remarks from Kari Denissen, Executive Director of Ignite Afterschool and Co-Chairperson of the Minnesota Advisory Council for STEM Learning and Workforce Development.

The Minnesota STEM Ecosystem brought together educators, nonprofit leaders, higher education representatives, and regional Service Cooperative partners on October 26 for the 2026 Minnesota STEM Convening, a statewide gathering focused on expanding STEM learning opportunities and strengthening connections between education, industry, and communities.

Held in Woodbury under the theme “Connecting Education. Industry. Community.”, the convening provided opportunities for professional learning, networking, and collaboration around innovative STEM education practices and emerging workforce needs. The event reflected the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem’s commitment to building a more connected and accessible STEM learning landscape through cross-sector partnerships and regional collaboration.

The Southeast Service Cooperative, on behalf of the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem and Minnesota Service Cooperatives, nominated Senator Smith for the national recognition. The award honors members of Congress who have demonstrated significant support for federal education policy, funding and the work of Educational Service Agencies. Central to Smith’s nomination was her support for 2022 Congressionally Directed Spending that provided the foundational investment to launch the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem. The funding supported a vision for a statewide network connecting K–12 education, higher education, out-of-school STEM learning, employers and community organizations to strengthen STEM learning and workforce development across Minnesota.

New pilot connects educators with industry and higher education partners to prepare students for careers across Minnesota’s technology workforce

Organized by the Minnesota State Engineering & Applied Manufacturing Center of Excellence, with support from Seagate, Polar Semiconductor, and the Minnesota Nano Center, the Microelectronics Mini-Externship & Curriculum Training combined hands-on, industry-informed learning with direct exposure to Minnesota industries using semiconductor and microelectronics technologies. Microelectronics technologies are used across a wide range of Minnesota industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, medical technology, advanced manufacturing, automation, computing, and other technology-driven sectors. Minnesota is one of only two states invited to participate in the pilot developing curriculum and the only state pairing the curriculum with educator industry externships. The foundational skills introduced through the pilot can therefore connect students to career opportunities well beyond semiconductor manufacturing alone. 

Educator Externship Cohort Launches with Industry and Workforce Focus

This summer, the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence for Agriculture, Energy, and Engineering & Applied Manufacturing welcomed a statewide cohort of 12 educators to St. Cloud to launch the Educator Externship Program—an initiative designed to strengthen connections between classrooms, careers, and Minnesota industry.

NASA has selected the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence as one of seven Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce State Hubs in the nation and the only hub located in the Midwest.

The NASA State Hubs initiative is designed to address a growing national need for skilled technical talent as the aerospace economy expands and the nation advances priorities related to human space exploration, advanced manufacturing, propulsion systems, and aerospace innovation.

International STEM

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On July 24th, 2026 the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem welcomed an international delegation of technology, artificial intelligence, government, and innovation leaders from Brazil as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Hosted by the Minnesota Technology Network (MTN) in Red Wing at the Ignite MN Business Center in Southeastern Minnesota the discussion highlighted Minnesota’s collaborative approach to computer science education and artificial intelligence, bringing together representatives from the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem, the Minnesota Technology Network, and the Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence.

As Minnesota continues to build a globally competitive innovation economy, partnerships like this one will play a critical role in preparing students for careers in high-demand STEM fields.

Made possible by a generous donation from Medtronic, the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem is providing immersive virtual reality (VR) tools for STEM career exploration and learning throughout the state. This marks the second donation from Medtronic to support Minnesota STEM learners. Through this growing public-private partnership, Medtronic has now contributed more than $60,000 worth of Oculus Quest 2 VR headsets to Minnesota’s STEM education efforts.