In accordance with 10 USC §2192, Improvement of education in technical fields:
general authority regarding education in science, mathematics, and engineering, the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) K-16 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and outreach is
seeking to strategically implant a vehicle to identify and support stronger guidelines for conducting K-16 education and outreach programs.
The Department of Defense seeks to diversify its portfolio of support and increase focus on efforts that support the Force of the Future, and align with the Federal and DoD STEM strategies.
Enhancing the permeability of ideas into DoD's workforce, especially the STEM workforce, through alliances with academia, industry and various non-traditional partners in STEM should deliver far-reaching sustainable and scalable programs and partnerships.
While aligning with the DoD STEM mission, “to attract, inspire, and develop exceptional STEM talent across the education continuum to enrich our current and future DoD workforce to meet defense technological challenges,” the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) should collaboratively work with the Government to provide a cohesive strategy to meet the vision, roles, and goals outlined in the DoD STEM Strategic Plan (https://www.acq.osd.mil/rd/publications/docs/DoD_STEM_Strategic_Plan_2015_1022_final.pdf).
The goals and objectives of this strategic plan will support:
(1) building and maintaining not only DOD’s, but the nation’s STEM pipeline; (2) reducing the number of STEM professionals who choose to leave DoD; and (3) keeping DoD competitive with industry and other countries also seeking STEM talent.
The fundamental elements under the DSEC Cooperative Agreement (COA) are:
(1) Consortium Management; (2) Program Evaluations:
Data Collection, Analysis and Reports; (3) Outreach/Communications; (4) STEM Alumni Management; and (5) Strategic Outreach Initiatives.
These fundamental elements are the essential elements of the consortium that will support the DoD STEM education and outreach goals.