In alignment with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, the RC6 began a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) project in Year 3 to build LEA/school capacity to ensure effective STEM education via the engineering design process within regular K-5 classroom instruction. High-quality education is necessary in elementary schools in order for students of all backgrounds to have interest in, and access and opportunity to pursue STEM career pathways as they move through their secondary school education and beyond. Focused and locally driven implementation plans, coupled with statewide support systems, will be developed through this project so as to grow and sustain LEA and school capacity to guarantee effective STEM education through the utilization of the engineering design process within regular classroom instruction. The project focues at two levels: LEA and SEA.

1. At the LEA level, the RC6 is:
   • identifying 6-8 LEAs to serve as Cohort 1 with priority given to LEAs with barriers to STEM implementation due to limited local capacity (e.g., rural settings)
   • providing professional development to Cohort 1 LEAs on the engineering design process, the “4 Cs” (creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration), and implementation science through face-to-face training, site visits to implementing schools, virtual sessions, and an annual spring conference; and
   • assisting Cohort 1 LEA leadership teams in developing a 2-year implementation plan with milestones.
2. At the SEA level, the RC6 is: ̵
   • developing collaborative support structures through identifying a group of regional leaders to assist in expanding statewide implementation efforts; and ̵
   • establishing an annual spring “Building Engineers in K-5 Classrooms” conference, in collaboration with the SEA, to provide regular professional development opportunities to participating leadership teams and teachers.

(See April 2022 conference at 2022 Conference | Building Engineers (k5engineers.org)