Agenda Item
a. STEM/STEAM Education Framework (Not to exceed $2,980,000) ~ Updated 5.12.2025
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Doryiane Gunter, Director of CTAE, Division of Curriculum & Instruction,
Ms. Janetta Greenwood, Director of Fernbank Science Center, Division of Curriculum & Instruction,
Ms. Andrea Wright, STEM Coordinator, Division of Curriculum & Instruction
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the contract for the Implementation of the CISTEMIC district wide STEAM Education Framework at a cost not to exceed $2,980,000.
Why: This request is to establish a Comprehensive STEAM Education System (CTEMES) framework using the Collective Input STEM Integrated Community (CISTEMIC) blueprint to equip students with 21st century-skills and workforce readiness to thrive in a global economy shaped by AI, robotics, and automation. By integrating STEM literacy across the entire district and the community, the DeKalb County School District will be launching a “first of its kind” in the country. This initiative positions DeKalb to leverage existing partnerships and foster new ones to emphasize the urgency of STEM literacy as the third core literacy- on par with reading and mathematics.
The DeKalb County School District will be designated as a “STEAM District”.
Details: This recommendation is for a one-year contract with 21stCenturyEd for the implementation of the STEM Literacy Framework across the DeKalb County School District. The implementation consists of curriculum development, professional learning for teachers and leaders, student access to STEM resources, and pdgogy AI which allows for customization and personalization of both student learning and student engagement from the individual student level to the community level.
Financial impact: Costs associated with implementation of the multi-faceted CISTEMIC strategy will be covered using the balance of the Superintendent’s Contingency.
GL Code: 100.2100.530000.02011.7000.9990.8010.010.0000
Contact: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0731
Dr. Candace Alexander, Chief of Accountability & Research, Division of Accountability & Research, 678.676.0733
Mrs. Michelle Dillard, Chief of Schools, Division of Schools & Leadership, 678.676.0542
Ms. Doryiane Gunter, Director of CTAE, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0130
Ms. Janetta Greenwood, Director of Fernbank Science Center, Division of Curriculum & Instruction,
Ms. Andrea Wright, STEM Coordinator, Division of Curriculum & Instruction
Status: Submitted for Legal Sufficiency
Who Are We?
21stCenturyEd is a pioneering educational technology company using our adaptive expertise to
impact modern education. The confluence of AI, robotics, and automation is reshaping the world
through intelligent automated machines. Education must evolve to infuse STEM Literacy as the
third core literacy following language and math literacy for all students but for society to thrive.
STEM programs offered as electives, enrichment, and extracurricular activities are necessary but
not sufficient to prepare students with the relevant skills to compete globally.
Critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication, problem-finding, and problem-solving is
the 4Cs+2Ps formula are the foundation of STEM Literacy and must be a part of core instruction.
We are at the forefront of education’s evolution, preparing students for the challenges,
opportunities, and shifting dynamics of global 21st-century economies. In the midst of life-altering
technological breakthroughs, it takes a village to raise a 21st-century graduate.
What We Do
We partner with school systems to design solutions to evolve their teaching and learning operating
framework into 21st-century STEM Education framework through transformative professional
development, game-changing AI technology, and curiosity-based student-focused experiences, all
aligned standards. We support our partners in providing ALL students access to a comprehensive
STEM Education early, often, and everywhere.
Our framework provides a structured and strategic pathway to prepare students not just to survive
but to thrive in the rest of the 21st Century. At the heart of this framework is a Comprehensive
STEM Education System (CSTEMES™) approach. This is not just a process, it's a collaborative
journey, starting with aligning or developing a STEM Integration Strategy™ using a five-step process
to ensure unity throughout the school system.
After learning where a school system falls within the Four Levels of STEM™ on the STEM
Integration Continuum™, we work collaboratively to set the
context, provide all students access to STEM experiences, and
upskill educators through our Design Thinking-infused Pedagogy
(DTIP™) with Pdgogy.ai™. Finally, we involve the community
through our Collective Impact STEM Integrated Community
(CISTEMIC™) model.
Our digital platform, Pdgogy.ai, customizes curriculum through a
student-focused pedagogy, helping students discover what they
love, what they are good at, what the world needs, and what they
can be paid for.
Ultimately, we provide thought leadership, consulting, and
dynamic solutions to educators and educational stakeholders to
help school systems prepare students for work, college,
entrepreneurship, and service by providing a Comprehensive
STEM™ education so students can thrive in a world shaped by AI,
robotics, and automation.
21stCenturyEd. • 815 West 1250 South, Suite 202, Orem Utah 84058 • www.21stCentEd.com • Phone: 435-254-1400