CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University recently concluded the third and final year of its Collaborative for Rural STEM Education program, a federally funded initiative designed to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics instruction in rural Mississippi schools.
The university hosted a closing summer conference that brought together 16 educators from across the Mississippi Delta to celebrate a year of professional development, classroom innovation and collaboration.
The conference marked the completion of the program’s final cohort as the grant reached its end. During the yearlong initiative, participating teachers received classroom supplies, specialized training and instructional support aimed at improving STEM education in rural communities.
Educators also attended summer and spring conferences and participated in additional professional development opportunities focused on innovative teaching strategies and increasing student engagement.
Jessica Hardy, project director for the Collaborative for Rural STEM Education, said participant evaluations highlighted the program’s positive impact on educators.
“When we looked at the evaluations, two quotes that stood out were, ‘This has helped me regain my fire for teaching,’ and ‘This program actually made me want to stay in education,"” Hardy said. “Many of the evaluations echoed the same sentiments, reflecting both the value of the program and the importance of learning alongside fellow educators.”
Teachers also cited the opportunity to build relationships with peers from other schools and districts as one of the program’s most valuable aspects, according to participant feedback.
University officials said the conference served as both a celebration of the teachers’ accomplishments and a reflection on the program’s broader impact on STEM education throughout the Mississippi Delta. Faculty and staff highlighted the innovative classroom practices developed through the initiative and their potential long-term benefits for students in the region.
The Collaborative for Rural STEM Education was fully funded by the U.S. Department of Education and focused on supporting rural educators through professional development, instructional resources and collaborative learning opportunities.
The project’s faculty team included Maria Weber, Tanya McKinney, Lee Dean and Daphne Smith. Hardy served as project director.
Since its inception, the program has sought to strengthen STEM instruction in rural schools by equipping educators with resources, training and professional networks designed to support student success and inspire innovative teaching practices.
