By Trish Svoboda

Students in rural Kansas will soon have access to new resources to integrate science, math, and technology education, preparing them for some of the nation’s most in-demand careers and supporting the state’s growing rural communities.

With a $600,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation, the STEMM FIRE Foundation, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine Foundations in Rural Education) will collaborate with the Fort Hays State University (FHSU) Science and Math Education Institute to launch RAISE Kansas (Rural Alliance Investing in STEMM Education – Kansas).

RAISE Kansas will focus on three main initiatives: expanding STEMM FIRE visits to rural schools, creating a centralized resource for rural STEMM educators, and launching a Pilot Educonomy Program. Initially targeting up to six communities, these initiatives will be implemented based on criteria such as strong school districts and local economic drivers.

The Fort Hays State University (FHSU) Science and Math Education Institute, partnering with STEMM FIRE, will serve as the infrastructure for RAISE Kansas. The program aims to introduce students to various career opportunities in Kansas, with experts from medical and STEMM fields engaging students. The Pilot Educonomy Program, inspired by a successful Colorado initiative, will involve community leaders, educators, and employers in addressing local economic and educational gaps through collaborative projects.

Earl Legleiter will direct the Educonomy Program, while a western Kansas program director will lead the STEMM FIRE school visits. In the long term, RAISE Kansas aims to create a comprehensive state-wide program supporting STEMM education in rural communities.