The X-STEM Fellowship is a regional program that addresses the critical workforce shortage in STEM industries by engaging 7th-12th grade students and introducing them to career pathways in materials science, advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, and related fields.

The Fellowship equips passionate teachers with the resources to:

• Guide students to discover career opportunities available in their own communities and the pathway to get there
• Prepare students to enter the workforce with future readiness tools such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity
• Introduce students to topics and careers they have never heard of
• Help students connect STEM topics to real-world impact

Program Benefits:

• Earn a +/- $3,600* stipend paid directly to the educator
• Provided a menu of Mississippi College‐ and Career‐Readiness Standards for Science lesson plans to choose from
• Free attendance to the X-STEM Workshops event for educators and their students
• Connect and collaborate with a cohort of like-minded educators

*Stipend varies based on the number of students committed. A $3,600 stipend reflects a commitment of 90 students.

Applicant Qualifications:

• Must be currently employed as an educator within 50 miles of the MS Gulf Coast and working in the classroom with students in grades 7th-12th
• Able to commit to all components of the Fellowship program, including attendance with your students at the X-STEM Workshops event
• Current X-STEM Fellows are eligible to apply

Program Expectations:

• Commit to involve 30+ students per semester
• Attend a kick-off meeting each semester
• Attend the X-STEM Workshops event with your students held in the spring of 2027
• Each semester, execute (4) lesson plans, (8) for block* schedules, from our Fellowship lesson plan menu
• Collect student survey data (no personally identifiable information (PII) is collected)
• Be responsive to Fellowship correspondence

*Block is defined as a class that meets approximately 90 minutes each session and covers a full year's curriculum in a single semester.

Application Requirements:

• Submit a letter of recommendation from your principal, assistant principal, or STEM lead
  • Applicants may submit their application without the letter attached, but if selected to advance in the application process, the letter must be submitted via email to Christina@usasciencefestival.org before your scheduled interview
• Available to connect via Zoom for a virtual interview between March 23 – May 11, 2026

Before Applying:

• Review our lesson plan menu to ensure at least eight (8) lessons can be integrated into your classroom curriculum
• Read all program benefits and expectations

For more information, visit: X-STEM Fellowship

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Spots are limited. Once filled, applicants will be waitlisted. The final deadline to apply has been extended to May 7, 2026.

Decisions will be communicated by May 15th, 2026.