About
STEMKAMP was originally made possible through a $2.8 million grant from the Department of Defense in conjunction with Goshen Consulting, Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO) and local school districts. In 2024, STEMKAMP joined a national STEM consortium (DSEC), which furthers its partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense STEM. Now operating as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, STEMKAMP provides fun, hands-on, immersive activities that connect problem-solving and critical thinking skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to help students explore a wide range of STEM careers. As a result, students gain a better understanding for current STEM careers, develop basic laboratory skills, practice higher-order thinking skills, and gain the self-confidence and motivation to continue a path toward a STEM career.
U.S. Department of Defense STEM
The U.S. Department of Defense STEM provides learning opportunities from elementary school through graduate school to inspire and cultivate a diverse pool of exceptional STEM talent. DoD programs connect STEM education in the classroom to the excitement, skills, and challenges that come with safeguarding our country. Through the DoD’s National Defense Education Program, the DoD awarded Goshen Consulting a $2.8 million grant to implement 10 STEMKAMPs across the United States from 2021-2024. Because of successful implementation, in 2024, the U.S. Department of Defense STEM granted STEMKAMP continued funding through the Defense STEM Education Consortium.
Defense STEM Education Consortium
The Defense Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Consortium (DSEC) is a collaborative partnership that aims to broaden STEM literacy and develop a diverse and agile workforce with the technical excellence to defend our Nation. By addressing and prioritizing critical STEM challenges, DoD is investing in evidence-based approaches to inspire and develop the Nation’s science and technology workforce.
DSEC seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. This multi-year effort includes elements focused on STEM enrichment programs for students and educators, STEM workforce engagement, program evaluation, and public outreach. These efforts will allow DoD to improve access for students to pursue STEM careers and consider DoD laboratories as a place of employment. Through strategic investment in STEM education and outreach activities, the effort will provide students with more exposure to educational and career opportunities, as well as DoD research.
Goshen Consulting
Goshen Consulting coordinates the STEMKAMP program as directed by the STEMKAMP not-for-profit organization. Goshen was founded in 2009 as an education-focused firm providing evaluation, research, and data interpretation services to school districts, universities, and informal education organizations. Goshen now leads more than 50 projects annually with 15 team members. Continuing to excel in providing educational evaluation services, in 2023 Goshen added a wide range of program design and evaluation services within the mental health prevention and early intervention space, as well as organizational development services. Our team members act as thought partners to support programs and systems through program design & evaluation, organizational development, research, and data collection, analysis, & visualization grounded in our values of integrity, relationship-centered work, clarity, and social justice.
