KC STEM Alliance

KC STEM Alliance is a collaborative network of educators, businesses and nonprofit partners working together to build a sustainable STEM workforce for our community by inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Our work falls into three major categories:

Collaboration: We work regionally, statewide and nationally to build a strong STEM learning ecosystem for Kansas City. The ecosystem’s leadership team represents schools, out-of-school programs, museums, higher education, community-based groups, businesses and governments and leads regional initiatives focused on improving quality, access and equity to STEM programs for all students.

Increasing Access: The Kansas City Engineering Zone, a partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, provides K-12 students in the urban core a place acquire real-world STEM skills. Home to three FIRST Robotics teams, the space also can be used for STEM field trips and experiences, training, professional development and student events. We also provide a limited number of strategic grants to support FIRST teams and other projects that improve access to quality STEM learning experiences for students who might otherwise miss out.

Supporting Best-Practice STEM Education Programs: KC STEM Alliance supports Project Lead The Way, a nationally recognized preK-12 in-school curriculum through professional development, connecting industry mentors with educators and organizing student competitions and scholarships. KC STEM Alliance also is the regional partner for the suite of FIRST robotics programs in the Kansas City region.