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CREATING SUCCESS IN STEM

Greater New Orleans STEM Initiative helps teachers create learning environments where students discover how to discuss and communicate ideas, listen and work with others, and think like scientists. We help students develop foundational STEM skills that fuel their curiosity, interest and aptitude in science, technology, engineering and math.

Get Involved in STEM

  • Greater New Orleans Science & Engineering Fair
    Greater New Orleans Science & Engineering Fair
    The Greater New Orleans Science & Engineering Fair is open to any student attending middle or high school in the New Orleans four-parish-area which includes Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes. Entrants fall into two divisions: Junior Division is middle school students (6-8 grade), Senior Division is high school students (9-12 grade).
  • FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) FIRST Louisiana-Mississippi, Inc.
    FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) FIRST Louisiana-Mississippi, Inc.
    FLL offers an opportunity for middle school students to design, build and compete with a robot constructed of LEGOs and create and deliver a five-minute research presentation on the annual competition theme.
  • FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
    FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
    Bayou Regional FIRST Robotics Competition FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. The Bayou Regional presented by Entergy® is the FRC Competition of Louisiana and Mississippi.

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"During the next decade, overall U.S. demand for scientists and engineers is expected to increase at four times the rate of all other occupations."

Testimonial 1

Company : Innovation Vital Signs, Louisiana’s Federal R&D and STEM Jobs Report

"Beginning STEM at such an early stage is crucial because it gives the older grades a building block. Where previous generations would “start” basically where these students are starting now, their foundation is going to be so much broader and greater that there is no limit to what these kids are going to be able to accomplish."

Testimonial 2

Company : Katie Boulet, Middle School Teacher

"They let us do stuff on our own. They let us do tests. And they don’t care if we mess up. That’s one of the great things about STEM!"

Testimonial 3

Company : Helen R., 3rd Grader

"Core Element brings innovative, hands-on STEM learning to area classrooms by providing training, content, resources and support for science and math teachers. When teachers enhance their STEM knowledge and have the tools they need to be confident and creative in the classroom, students become actively engaged in the learning process. The result is increased student interest, participation, and proficiency in STEM subjects."

Testimonial 4

Company : Jan Brenan, Executive Director of Core Element

"It is extremely important for us to start STEM education early, especially in the United States. It’s not reserved just for college level students, it needs to continue to move further and further down in the education chain so that by the time students are old enough to be able to decide what they want to do, that they choose that career in engineering or science."

Testimonial 5

Company : Kim Jovanovich, PhD, Assistant Dean, UNO College of Engineering

"You can’t start young enough. A lot of the studies show that by the time students get to high school, it is too late. If they don’t already have a STEM interest, they’re not going to."

Testimonial 6

Company : Dr. Michelle Sanchez, Director, Tulane University K-12 Outreach Program

"Solving our nation’s STEM crisis can’t be done in a single school year or by a single entity. It will take a long-term commitment on behalf of educators, volunteers, employers and more. But as we work together to improve STEM education, the possibilities for our country’s students – and our future – look brighter than ever."

Testimonial 7

Company : Vivian R. Pickard, Former President of General Motors Foundation

"To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science."

Testimonial 8

Company : Albert Einstein

Between 2014 and 2024, the number of STEM jobs will grow 17 percent, as compared to 12 percent for non-STEM jobs.

Statistic 1

Company : Source: STEMtistics

In Louisiana, between 2014 and 2024, STEM jobs will grow 18 percent, as compared to 13 percent for non-STEM jobs.

Statistic 2

Company : Source: Economic Modeling Specialists International, 2015

Connect With Us

Promoting Quality Teaching

University of New Orleans
UNO TRAC Center, Suite 227
University of New Orleans Lakefront
New Orleans, LA 70148
504-280-5710

Jennifer B. LaCoste
Executive Director
Jennifer.LaCoste@gnostem.org
504-280-5715

Jan Brenan
Jan.Brenan@gnostem.org
504-280-5715

Michelle Mangum
Administrative Assistant
Michelle.Mangum@gnostem.org
504-280-5715

MAILING ADDRESS
Greater New Orleans STEM Initiative
P O Box 6123
Metairie, LA 70009