RTI receives $190 million contract from US Department of Defense to promote STEM education

RTI International and the Ministry of Defence have signed a cooperation agreement that allows the former to continue to monitor defence Science, technology, engineering and mathematics Education Consortium or DSEC.

The nonprofit research institute said Thursday that the potential 10-year deal worth $190 million will be used to promote STEM education among students and teachers across the United States through greater STEM workforce engagement, program evaluations and outreach.

Under the agreement, RTI will work with its 28 partner organizations on behalf of DOD STEM, managing operations, communications and alumni network.

DSEC seeks to increase access to STEM learning experiences by implementing programs that provide access to STEM education to underserved communities, focusing on five key areas:

• Consortium management
• Research and evaluation
• Strategic communication, public relations and alumni management
• Regional hubs and ecosystems
• Strategic STEM initiatives

Rebecca Stanley, consortium chair at DSEC and education consultant at RTI, expressed enthusiasm about continuing their work to promote interest in STEM, saying, “To build the STEM workforce of tomorrow, we must provide students with meaningful experiences that connect them with real-world careers and help them see STEM careers as attainable and exciting.”