The STEM adventure has begun for Regional Opportunity Initiatives’ latest STEM Fellows cohort! Last week marked the official launch of the 2025-2026 STEM Fellowship, a yearlong journey of innovation, discovery, and professional growth for elementary and middle school educators across the Indiana Uplands.
The STEM Fellowship is a 10-month professional development program to support elementary and middle school educators in developing innovative STEM teaching practices and leadership skills.
During the two-day kick-off event, Fellows:
- Met with industry leaders to better understand workforce needs.
- Toured local companies and saw STEM in action.
- Gained hands-on experience with robotics and a manufacturing simulation.
- Collaborated with STEM mentors and explored new classroom tools.
ROI’s Career Coaching Fellows also joined the first day of the kick-off at Ivy Tech Bloomington to learn about the region’s key industry sectors and to tour Cook Medical, Cook Polymer, and TASUS. STEM Fellows continued at Vincennes University Jasper, connecting with mentors, interacting with robots, and participating in a manufacturing simulation with Jasper Engines & Transmissions.
This immersive experience set the tone for the STEM Fellows’ upcoming year, equipping educators with fresh perspectives and practical strategies to bring back to their classrooms. Their goal: to create relevant, engaging STEM learning opportunities that inspire students and prepare them for the future.
The kick-off is just the beginning of a Fellowship year filled with collaboration, innovation, and inspiration. The Indiana Uplands is fortunate to have such dedicated educators leading the way in STEM education.