Dieuwertje Kast, the new Mike Neden STEM Champion Award honoree

Originally Published December 17, 2017

The Joint Educational Project’s STEM Programs Manager and USC Young Scientists Program’s Director, Dieuwertje (“D.J.”) Kast, was honored with the Mike Neden STEM Champion Award at the International STEM Education Conference in Branson, Missouri on October 10, 2017. Kast was one of three recipients of the award, which is given annually by the International STEM Education Association.

The Mike Neden STEM Champion Award honors public and private elementary, middle, high school teachers and teacher educators that have served as a champion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Each year, the International STEM Education Association recognizes individuals who have implemented STEM in school and/or community programs, provided professional development for educators, and have otherwise been instrumental in supporting STEM education.

Kast’s work certainly qualifies her as a STEM “Champion” The Young Scientists Program works in partnership with six USC community schools to engage more than 2000 elementary school students, 70 LAUSD teachers, and 6 principals annually through a broad repertoire of STEM curricula. The program brings laboratory experiences directly to classrooms with the goal of supplementing current instruction, complementing district and state standards, strengthening science literacy, and promoting an interest in STEM careers. Congratulations, D.J.!