Rhode Island STEM Program Newsletter: Local Resources and Guide

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country but has STEM resources that significantly exceed its size. World-class oceanographic research at URI, one of the Navy's premier undersea warfare research facilities in Newport, Brown University's biomedical research, and the developing offshore wind industry in Narragansett Bay all create STEM connections that are accessible to every Rhode Island student. A newsletter that maps those connections to classroom learning gives RI families a vivid local picture of STEM education's purpose.

URI Graduate School of Oceanography

The University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography in Narragansett is one of the world's top oceanographic research institutions. It conducts research on deep sea geology, ocean chemistry, biological oceanography, and climate science. URI Sea Grant connects school programs to ongoing ocean research. For Rhode Island students, world-class ocean science is happening in their state, and careers in marine science and ocean engineering are locally visible.

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport

NUWC Newport is the Navy's primary research, development, and engineering center for all aspects of undersea warfare. It employs electrical engineers, ocean engineers, computer scientists, and systems engineers who design and test sonar systems, torpedoes, and autonomous undersea vehicles. For Rhode Island students interested in engineering with a defense technology focus, NUWC is a major local employer.

Offshore wind and ocean engineering

The Block Island Wind Farm, completed in 2016, was the first offshore wind farm in the United States and it is in Rhode Island. The Vineyard Wind and other New England offshore developments are expanding the industry. Ocean engineering, environmental monitoring, and marine energy careers are growing in Rhode Island. The proximity to active offshore wind development makes this a real and accessible career conversation for RI students.

Brown University and biomedical research

Brown University's School of Engineering and School of Public Health conduct active biomedical research. Brown's Carney Institute for Brain Science and Warren Alpert Medical School create health science and engineering careers in Providence. Brown runs K-12 outreach programs including science clubs and research mentorship opportunities for local students.

Template: Rhode Island STEM newsletter excerpt

"This semester our ocean science unit is using real data from URI's oceanography research station in Narragansett Bay. Students are analyzing water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen data from the past decade. Rhode Island is also home to the Block Island Wind Farm, the first offshore wind farm in the US. An ocean engineer from the offshore wind industry is visiting in March to talk about careers in marine energy. The Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair registration opens this month as well."

Rhode Island STEM competitions

FIRST Robotics RI holds New England regional events. Science Olympiad RI runs state competitions. The Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair connects to ISEF. For Rhode Island's size, the density of university and research institution resources means students have access to mentors and programs that are harder to find in larger, more dispersed states.

Daystage makes it easy to communicate the surprisingly rich Rhode Island STEM landscape to families throughout the school year.