Delaware Department of Education (DDOE)
The department's goal is to promote the highest quality education for every delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service. They are working with the districts and charter schools to develop the Education Success Planning and Evaluation System that tracks common measures determined to be indicators of educational success and provides the ability to evaluate the Department, districts, and schools.
Tonyea Mead, Science Education Associate
Tonyea Mead is the Science Education Associate for Delaware’s Department of Education. She received her teaching degree at Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA and her masters at University of Delaware in gifted and talented and administration. She has worked for Delaware’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry Service as an education specialist and started Trap Pond State Park’s Nature Center where she provided informal education to children, adults and campers. While a science specialist in Milford School District, Tonyea worked very closely with the Department of Education on choosing curriculum, developing professional development for teachers, and developing summative assessments. Tonyea is experienced in elementary, middle and high school teaching has been an elementary administrator and science specialist for over 28 years. In her current role as Science Education Associate, she oversees professional development and learning for PreK-12th grade science teachers.
John Moyer, Education Specialist
John Moyer is an Education Specialist for the Delaware Department of Education in the Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development workgroup. He holds a BS degree in Physics Education, with an emphasis in mechanical & aerospace engineering, and a MS degree in Physics Education from Delaware State University. He received his Ed.D in Educational Leadership & Innovation in 2012 from Wilmington University. Prior to working at the DE Department of Education, he was a high school math and science teacher. Dr. Moyer is a member of the Delaware Science Coalition’s Leadership Team, the Delaware cohort to the Building Capacity for State Science Education (BCSSE) initiative in support of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) and is an adjunct member of the Governor’s STEM Council. He has extensive experience in standards development, curriculum development, instructional technology, and professional development. He also co-chaired the high school portion of the standards revision project for Delaware in 2006.
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
The mission of the Maryland State Department of Education is to provide leadership, support, and accountability for effective systems of public education, library services, and rehabilitation services.
Donna Balado, Environmental Science Education Specialist
Donna Balado is the environmental science education specialist in the Maryland State Department of Education and former science classroom teacher in Maryland. She has extensive experience in organizing professional learning activities for science teachers and supervisors and has served in advisory capacities for various science education agencies and organizations. Through the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, Donna leads the K12 initiative in environmental literacy for Maryland public schools.
Mary Thurlow, Coordinator for Science, Division of Instruction
Mary Thurlow is the Coordinator for Science in the Division of Instruction at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). As coordinator she is responsible for providing skilled expertise in the development, implementation, and evaluation of processes and products related to state science content standards, the Maryland State Curriculum for Science, assessment of student learning, and to collaborate with local school systems in the professional development of teachers in the area of science. Her oversight of PreK-12 science instruction and assessment ensures that there is a seamless transition across all grade levels. In addition, Mary provides technical assistance to local school systems, organizes the Governor's Academy for professional development of science teachers, and works with the MSDE Office of Mathematics to coordinate the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Delaware Sea Grant (DESG)
Since the University of Delaware was designated the nation's ninth Sea Grant College in 1976, Delaware Sea Grant's goal has been to promote the wise use, conservation, and management of marine and coastal resources through high-quality research, education, and outreach activities that benefit the public and the environment. Currently, Delaware Sea Grant is conducting research in priority areas ranging from seafood safety to coastal hazards, preparing the next generation of environmental leaders through hands-on research and educational activities, and sharing trustworthy information on coastal topics with people from all walks of life.
Delaware State University (DSU)
DSU has a long and proud history as one of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It has a blend of both long-standing traditions and growing diversity. Founded in 1891 as the State College for Colored Students, DSU takes pride in its heritage as one of the country’s first land-grant educational institutions, rooted early on in agriculture and education. DSU’s focus on cutting-edge research, technology and business practices have brought the University into modernity and made it a member of the scientific, solution-seeking community. Today, it remains well in the vanguard of other four-year institutions throughout the region and country.
Lifelong Learning Group (CRE-LLG)
The Lifelong Learning Group asks questions, evaluates data, and recommends strategies that help informal learning organizations better serve lifelong learners. The team at the Lifelong Learning Group is comprised of four researchers who bring a collective 45 years of research and evaluation expertise in informal learning. The Lifelong Learning Group collaborates with the other groups that comprise the Center for Research and Evaluation to offer an amazing depth of experience and an “in-house” understanding of how informal learning organizations operate.
Maryland Public Television (MPT)
Maryland Public Television, which is commonly known by its familiar name "MPT", is a public television network that compromises six television stations that broadcasts throughout the entire state of Maryland as well as into the District of Columbia and parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. MPT is the only state-wide broadcaster in Maryland. MPT is a member of the Public Broadcasting Service.
National Science Foundation (NSF) $
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…" With an annual budget of about $7.0 billion (FY 2012), we are the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities. NSF's goals--discovery, learning, research infrastructure and stewardship--provide an integrated strategy to advance the frontiers of knowledge, cultivate a world-class, broadly inclusive science and engineering workforce and expand the scientific literacy of all citizens, build the nation's research capability through investments in advanced instrumentation and facilities, and support excellence in science and engineering research and education through a capable and responsive organization.
Towson University (TU)
Founded in 1866, Towson University is recognized as one of the nation's best regional public universities, offering more than 100 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences, and applied professional fields. With nearly 22,000 students, Towson University is among the largest public universities in Maryland. As a metropolitan university, Towson combines research-based learning with practical application. Our many interdisciplinary partnerships with public and private organizations throughout Maryland provide opportunities for research, internships and jobs. Towson University is a founding member of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU).
University of Delaware (UD)
The University of Delaware has a great tradition of excellence, from our roots extending back to a small private academy started in 1743, to the research-intensive, technologically advanced institution of today. The University received its charter from the State of Delaware in 1833 and was designated one of the nation’s historic Land Grant colleges in 1867. Today, UD is a Land Grant, Sea Grant and Space Grant institution. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies UD as a research university with very high research activity—a designation accorded less than 3 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. UD ranks among the nation’s top 100 universities in federal R&D support for science and engineering.
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
With locations strategically placed between the mountains and sea, UMCES research laboratories provide scientists direct access to Maryland's diverse natural ecosystems. We harness the power of science to transform the way society understands and manages the environment. By conducting cutting-edge research into today's most pressing environmental problems, we are developing new ideas to help guide our state, nation, and world toward a more environmentally sustainable future.
University of Maryland College Park (UMCP)
Driven by the pursuit of excellence, the University of Maryland has enjoyed a remarkable rise in accomplishment and reputation over the past two decades. By any measure, Maryland is now one of the nation's preeminent public research universities and on a path to become one of the world's best. To fulfill this promise, we must capitalize on our momentum, fully exploit our competitive advantages, and pursue ambitious goals with great discipline and entrepreneurial spirit. This promise is within reach. This strategic plan is our working agenda.
University System of Maryland (USM)
The University System of Maryland comprises 12 institutions, two regional higher education centers, and a system office. USM provides access to excellent higher education opportunities, performs groundbreaking research, offers vital services to communities and individuals, and fuels economic and workforce development. As a public system of higher education, USM advances the State of Maryland and benefits all of society.
