KC STEM Alliance is a network of educators, businesses and educational intermediaries working to increase K-12 student interest and engagement in STEM. In 2021, the KC STEM Alliance entered its fifteenth year of service to the Kansas City metropolitan area. This evaluation focuses on the growth of the organization and the long-term outcomes of its key initiatives.

For this project, UERC researchers are using longitudinal data from Kansas, Missouri and the National Student Clearinghouse to assess the impact of Project Lead the Way and FIRST, two of KC STEM Alliance’s core programs. The team is also examining the KC STEM Alliance’s records and survey data to assess training opportunities, community engagement and outreach. Finally, researchers are conducting interviews with students, educators, and industry partners to better understand the ways in which the organization is facilitating collaboration and a distinct STEM ecosystem in Kansas City.