California Academy of Sciences announced as part of 100Kin10 partner network, helping to train 100,000 new STEM teachers by 2021

SAN FRANCISCO (September 5, 2019)—100Kin10, a national organization dedicated to solving the STEM teacher shortage by 2021, announced today that the California Academy of Sciences has joined 40 other new programmatic partners in its ranks. In addition to the Academy, new partners include Chicago Public Schools, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Council of Chief State School Officers, among others.

This is the seventh and final cohort of partners for 100Kin10 during its first 10 years. The organization launched in 2011 as an answer to President Obama’s call during his 2011 State of the Union address to train 100,000 new STEM teachers in a decade. 100Kin10 is on track to exceed its goal of training 100,000 teachers by 2021, with more than 68,000 teachers currently trained.

"Developing skilled, confident STEM educators is the best way to ensure that all students understand the relevance of STEM to their lives, and develop the STEM skills and knowledge they need for their future,” says Dr. Elizabeth Babcock, Academy Chief Public Engagement Officer. “Joining this amazing network focused on a shared commitment to STEM teaching and learning at scale is tremendously exciting. We look forward to participating and supporting the 100Kin10 partnership beyond the finish line."

The final round of growth specifically focuses on 100Kin10’s latest project: tackling what they’ve identified as the root causes of the STEM teacher shortage. If solved, these “catalysts”—which include bonuses, scholarships or loan forgiveness for STEM teachers, increasing professional development, and state tracking of STEM teacher supply and demand—would more sustainably end the teacher shortage.

“This final group, including the Academy, is a welcome addition as we enter our final push in achieving our goal and look toward the future in solving systemic issues around the teacher shortage in America,” says Talia Milgrom-Elcott, 100Kin10’s executive director. “Each organization is doing incredible, inspiring work to build the movement for better, bolder and more accessible STEM education. We’re thrilled to have them as our newest partners in collaboration, learning and continuous improvement to creatively solve the STEM teacher crisis.”

Existing partners and an expert panel vetted and selected the 41 new partners, who will join a network of more than 280 current partners that includes the nation’s top academic institutions, nonprofits, foundations, companies and government agencies. All partners register their commitments to ending the STEM teacher shortage through 100Kin10 and support one another to achieve those commitments by exchanging expertise, learning and resources.

In addition to the 41 accepted programmatic organizations, 100Kin10 is inviting 16 other organizations to join as “allies” of the network. This is a new opportunity to connect with and share in the learning life of the network to reach its goal.