How to Apply

CISTEME365 was established to level up efforts to broaden participation in STEM and provide more accessible and inclusive STEM environments to better support and encourage our youth to stick with and excel in math, science, engineering, and technology. 

We are currently accepting applications for the 2025-26 CISTEME365 – Quantum Information Sciences cohort of middle-grade educator teams. See below for more details. Applications due July 10 at 12:00pm

Apply Today!

Who is eligible

The program will be open to new and returning CISTEME365 participants and teams. Priority access will be given to middle grade educators from the South Chicago area with funding from the Inclusive Innovations in the Sciences initiative and the IBM-Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute.

You must sign up as a team of 2-3 teachers, college/career counselors, and/or administrators. This year’s curriculum is focused on middle grade introduction to quantum information sciences and adjacent topics.

What you’ll do

4 teachers holding up their quantum day poster
Teachers displaying their World Quantum Day 2024 Poster
  • Form an IDEAS Team with 1-2 other educators from your school or organization
  • Participate in a variety of professional development activities:
    • Collaborate with a Networked Improvement Community (NIC). IDEAS Teams collaborate as feedback partners and co-learners.
    • Complete an Action Research project (AREP) to apply and study CISTEME365 content and strategies in your STEM Clubs.
  • Enhance (or start) your STEM club and provide unique learning opportunities for your students. Incorporate best practices for equity and inclusion.
  • Share your lessons learned with a broader public audience through conference presentation(s) and publication(s).

Benefits

  • Receive Professional Development Hours
  • Travel and housing are included for in-person events.
  • Personal stipend for completing all program requirements and deliverables.
  • Districts/schools receive STEM Club supplies and flex funding.
  • Access to scholarships for the University of Illinois STEM summer camps for your students
  • Build and strengthen a network of like-minded collaborators.
  • Establish an ongoing relationship with the University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering. As other grants come along or opportunities for cutting-edge STEM connections, we aim to remain connected and in communication. We are committed to broader participation in STEM, and we believe that establishing this network is just the first step in developing ongoing partnerships.

2025-26 Cohort timeline

A student and teacher doing a quantum science activity in a school lab.
A student and parent doing a quantum science activity during a Saturday STEM program
  • July 11 12:00pm CISTEME365 Overview (Zoom)
  • July 18 – July 25th CISTEME365-Quantum IS professional development (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
  • July 25 – January 16 Action Research Projects, STEM Club Implementation, and monthly online Check-in sessions (home schools and online).
  • February (Date TBD) CISTEME365 Convening

Learn more about the project

Introduction to the first three years:

Questions? Contact the CISTEME365 Team