July 2025 Newsletter

​ Dear Colleagues,

Happy summertime!

Some of you may be engaged in professional development with teachers, others may be analyzing data, and still others might be taking a well-deserved break or vacation. This month’s Project Tip highlights how summer can be a valuable time to dive deeper into your work and lay the groundwork for greater impact in the future.

Congratulations to the teams leading the newest DRK–12 awards! We eagerly await to hear about additional awards.

Our Spotlight on DRK–12 Partnership Development Projects offers a glimpse into how projects are using their funding for planning and collaboration to build partnerships that will support future research and innovation. The Spotlight also features a new resource with tips from CADRE’s community partners on effective partnership development.

The 2025 DRK–12 PI Meeting included a general poster hall and structured poster sessions showcasing the work of 58 projects. If you weren’t able to visit all the posters—or would like to revisit those you did see—you can now explore the virtual poster hall. Additional resources including slides and handouts from the PI meeting sessions are now listed in the agenda outline.

This month, we also held a final meeting with the 2025 CADRE Fellows and wish them continued success in their careers. Recognizing that some early career researchers are exploring opportunities beyond academia, CADRE surveyed former Fellows working in non-academic roles. Their insights into job responsibilities, use of research skills, and career advice are shared in our latest blog post.

Finally, we continue to monitor NSF-related developments (e.g., FY 2026 appropriations, a letter to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology signed by 149 NSF employees, the recent National Science Board meeting) and the impacts of new federal policies on STEM education across the country—as we know you are—and eagerly await the announcement of new awards.

Best,
The CADRE Team

DRK–12 Partnership Development Projects | Spotlight

PI Meeting logo

This Spotlight features DRK–12 partnership development projects. This project type seeks to build or strengthen connections among school partners and researchers for the purpose of co-designing future DRK–12 research and development. In this Spotlight, PIs describe their processes for building partnerships, share challenges and strategies, and outline partnership next steps. We also share a CADRE resource with advice for establishing authentic and equitable partnerships in STEM education research.

In this Spotlight:

First page of resourceTips for Establishing Authentic and Equitable Partnerships

This new CADRE resource shares insights and actionable guidance from our 2024 Community Partners on how to foster authentic partnerships with schools, districts, and out-of-school learning organizations. Designed for K–12 STEM education researchers, the tips emphasize trust-building, shared leadership, responsiveness to community needs, and long-term commitment. These recommendations offer a roadmap for forming relationships that focus on community voices and values—ensuring that research efforts are collaborative, respectful, and impactful. Read the tips.

View Spotlight

New DRK–12 Awards | Project List

New award logo

Congratulations to the newest DRK–12 awardees, and welcome to our community!

We look forward to getting to know you and hearing about your work as it progresses.

View Awards

Beyond Academia: How CADRE Fellows Are Leading, Innovating, and Driving Change in K–12 STEM Education | Blog Post

As STEM education funding and academic research opportunities continue to shift, early career researchers are increasingly finding fulfilling careers outside traditional academic settings. CADRE surveyed former CADRE Fellows who work outside of academia and, in this blog post, highlight the many ways those who responded are applying their research training to improve education and lead in diverse professional landscapes.

Applying Research Skills Across Sectors

Whether working in unions, school districts, nonprofits, or edtech firms, Fellows describe daily use of their education research training. Read more.

View Blog Post

Project Tip: Making the Most of Summer in STEM Education Research


Summer offers a welcome shift in rhythm for many STEM education research teams. With fewer school-year demands, it is an ideal time to regroup, analyze data, and prepare for dissemination and the next grant proposal. For many DRK–12 projects, summer is more than a pause—it is a time to innovate, deepen partnerships, and amplify learning through:

  • Engagement-Driven Dissemination
  • Data Reflection
  • Transformative Partnership Building
  • Professional Development Practice Documentation
  • Strategic Orientation Mapping

Read the full project tip for examples of how your colleagues have maximized their summer efforts and ideas for furthering summer work.

Newsbites

News from NSF

News from NSF Networks
 

News from DRK-12 Projects and Awardees

Awards & Recognition
 

Publications

Do you have news to share? Email cadre@edc.org.

Upcoming Opportunities

The following funding and publication opportunities, listed by deadline, may be of interest to you and your DRK-12 project members.

Funding

For more NSF funding opportunities, see CADRE's list of Upcoming NSF DRL EHR Solicitation Deadlines.
 

Publications

For other publication opportunities, including those with ongoing submissions, see CADRE's list of Publications for STEM Educators, Policymakers, and Researchers.
 
Conferences
For more conference information, see CADRE's list of Conferences for STEM Educators, Policymakers, and Researchers.
 

Career & Professional Development

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