Evaluating the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC)
Photo courtesy of DoD STEM
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is focused building a diverse, skilled STEM workforce to address national security challenges. AIR is the research and evaluation partner for the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC), a collaborative network of organizations focused on advancing STEM education by broadening STEM literacy and providing authentic learning opportunities for K-16 students and educators.
The Department of Defense is one of largest employers of STEM professionals in the country. AIR is honored to be the external evaluator of the consortium, which aims to broaden participation in STEM through its educational partners.
- Joseph P. Wilson, Managing Director, AIR
AIR has been the research and evaluation partner for DSEC since 2019, when it was initially established by the Department of Defense STEM (DoD STEM) as a five-year, $75M cooperative agreement. The agreement represented a shift in the DoD’s approach to managing investments in its National Defense Education Program portfolio of STEM programs in favor of a consortium model.
In 2024, DSEC was renewed as a 10-year, $190M cooperative agreement. The consortium is led by RTI International and includes a broad range of organizations dedicated to advancing STEM education and workforce development, including Left Bank Consulting and Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES).
AIR's Approach
AIR’s evaluation and research approach aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of STEM programs and provide evidence for the goals outlined in the 2021 DoD STEM Strategic Plan. AIR will assess the progress of DSEC’s STEM outreach partners, regional hubs, and the consortium in achieving their intended outcomes and outputs. Additionally, for a sample of DSEC program participants, AIR will conduct a longitudinal study of the medium- and long-term outcomes related to STEM education outcomes and careers.
