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 standards-aligned lesson plans to choose from
• Opportunity for lesson plan materials support
• 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 in San Diego County 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 on Tuesday, December 01, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center
• 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 is April 30, 2026.

Decisions will be communicated by May 15th, 2026.