About

The Maryland STEM Education to Employment Ecosystem (MSE3), established in 2024, is a statewide network uniting education, industry, government, STEM-rich institutions, and community organizations to strengthen Maryland’s STEM talent pipeline. Serving all regions of Maryland, MSE3 builds on the success of the BmoreSTEM Ecosystem (launched in 2016) to expand equitable access to high-quality STEM learning and workforce opportunities.

MSE3’s mission is to champion partnerships and innovation that amplify STEM education, nurture talent, and create dynamic pathways from early learning through employment. Its vision is a self-sustaining, industry-influenced ecosystem that addresses workforce gaps by developing a STEM-skilled talent pipeline from preschool to professional (P2P), ensuring all Marylanders can succeed in a rapidly evolving economy.

The ecosystem operates through a spoke-and-hub model with a Core Council, Academic and Industry Advisory Boards, and “Constellations” — collaborative, goal-driven programs addressing local and statewide STEM needs. Key strategic priorities include:

• Aligning STEM education with workforce demands.
• Expanding hands-on, real-world STEM experiences.
• Increasing access to previously unreached communities throughout Maryland.
• Strengthening professional development for educators through externships.
• Increasing the number pathways into STEM careers through internships, apprenticeships, scholarships, and mentorships.

 

MSE3 also emphasizes measurable outcomes such as increasing STEM career placements, reducing opportunity gaps, and improving community quality of life while fostering entrepreneurship through innovation and increasing access to STEM-skilled individuals.

By connecting cross-sector partners and leveraging resources, MSE3 works to ensure Maryland is a place where every resident can engage in STEM learning that leads to economic opportunity, innovation, and community vitality.

MSE3 envisions a Maryland where every individual has endless opportunities to inspire, explore, and experience STEM, regardless of background or geography, through the collective power of educators, industry leaders, government agencies, STEM-rich institutions, and community organizations coming together. Together, we will create a self-sustaining, industry-influenced ecosystem that bridges education and employment, expands equitable access to real-world STEM learning, inspires STEM invention entrepreneurship (STEMIE), and forges clear pathways from pre-K to professional (P2P). By fostering innovation, cultivating talent, and aligning education with workforce needs, MSE3 will empower Marylanders to lead in the STEM fields that will shape our state’s economy, strengthen communities, and solve the most pressing challenges of our time.

VISION
MSE3 envisions a Maryland where every individual has endless opportunities to inspire, explore, and experience STEM, regardless of background or geography, through the collective power of educators, industry leaders, government agencies, STEM-rich institutions, and community organizations coming together. Together, we will create a self-sustaining, industry-influenced ecosystem that bridges education and employment, expands equitable access to real-world STEM learning, inspires STEM invention entrepreneurship (STEMIE), and forges clear pathways from pre-K to professional (P2P). By fostering innovation, cultivating talent, and aligning education with workforce needs, MSE3 will empower Marylanders to lead in the STEM fields that will shape our state’s economy, strengthen communities, and solve the most pressing challenges of our time.

GOALS

1. Becoming a self-sustained Ecosystem through Industry investments. Deliverable: 10 IAB members by 2026; 50% budget from industry by 2029
2. Establish a functioning Industry Advisory Board and Education Advisory Board involved in regular collaborative programming and joint communications on state policy to raise the STEM-skill level and increases access to STEM-skilled employment for all Marylanders. Deliverable: 12 members per board by 2025; joint policy briefs annually.
3. Elevate Robotics Competitions as a Core STEM Engagement Pathway, positioning them alongside athletics in visibility, support, and student recognition by 2028
4. Deliverable: 50% districts by 2026; Maryland Robotics League by 2027.
   Expand equitable STEM access to all Maryland communities by providing at least one new STEM-relevant programming in every Region by 2028. Deliverable: one new program per region by 2028.
5. Support efforts to bring ethical AI learning and use into classrooms across Maryland in partnership with MSDE, MCCE, State legislators, and Industry. Deliverable: 25%+ of school Districts have an established AI Implementation strategy by 2026.
6. Increase the number of STEM-relevant employment opportunities in the form of Internships, Apprenticeships, Scholarships, Co-operative employment (work-study), and Externships in Maryland by 10% by 2028. Deliverable STEM -ship Yard by 2026; 10% more opportunities by 2028

Contact

Eric Davis
Executive Director, STEM Center of Excellence, Inc.

Melissa Thompson
Chief Academic Officer, DoD-NAVSEA-NSWCCD

Phil Rogofsky
Director of Communications & Mktg, MD STEM Festival

Maricruz Abarca
Chief Administrative Officer

Contact: mdsteme3@gmail.com