

Enhancing Kentucky's K-14 STEM Education Ecosystem
AdvanceKentucky®, an initiative of KSTC, serves as the Kentucky partner within the national STEM ecosystem, STEMx.
Our Vision
STEM360 is an interconnected approach to fostering a dynamic STEM ecosystem in Kentucky where students, educators, and industry partners continuously learn, effectively collaborate, and productively innovate.
Knowledge
STEM360 aims to cultivate STEM knowledge by promoting data-driven decision making, enhancing STEM literacy through curiosity-based classes, and providing educational resources for students and teachers.
STEM Datasets
Kentucky Mesonet
The Kentucky Mesonet, operated by Western Kentucky University, is the state’s official network of automated weather stations that provide real-time, high-quality data on temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, and more. Explore real-world weather patterns, practice data analysis, and connect climate information to science, math, geography, agriculture, and emergency management.
Council for Postsecondary Education Interactive Data Center
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s Interactive Data Center offers comprehensive data on college enrollment, student demographics, retention, graduation rates, degree production, and workforce outcomes. Explore interactive reports to analyze trends and support informed decision-making in higher education.
Kentucky Department of Education Open House
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) Open House provides access to a wide range of education data, including school performance, assessments, and financial information. Explore interactive reports and insights to support data-driven decision-making in Kentucky’s education system.
National Assessment of Educational Progress
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) measures student achievement in key subjects across states. It provides insights into academic performance, trends, and comparisons to national benchmarks. Explore Kentucky’s state profile to track progress and key education metrics.
Educational Resources
Collaboration
STEM360 fosters a collaborative STEM ecosystem in Kentucky through school-to-career partnerships, networking opportunities, and synergetic initiatives.
Find STEM opportunities near you using our interactive map!
For further details on each organization, simply click on their name in the table below.
Innovation
STEM360 Innovation Challenge
Overview
Kentucky has recently experienced major challenges from environmental changes and natural hazards - severe weather alone caused over $1 billion in damage in 2022. Now you have the chance to be part of the solution!
Challenge
Identify a climate or environmental opportunity in your community - either local or statewide - and develop a creative STEM-based solution to help solve the problem. Teams will define the problem and solution through a 60-90 Challenge Pitch video, a 3-5 page Innovation Brief describing your research-based solution, and a model of the solution prototype with expert/community feedback. Bonus points will be awarded for using STEM360’s partner data sources such as the NSF-funded FLASH Eastern Kentucky flood data or CAPTIVATE statewide climate data. Winning entries will receive prize money and community recognition.
Application Window
October 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027
See Details Below for Additional Information
STEM360 Teaching Grants
Overview
Big ideas begin in Kentucky classrooms! STEM360 Teaching Grants offer Kentucky K-12 educators up to $1,000 to bring creative, hands-on STEM learning to life and inspire students to explore, collaborate, and solve problems.
Your Opportunity
Propose an original project that engages students in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics while building critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Grant funds may support technology, equipment, materials, and supplies needed to implement your project during the school year. Include an Excel budget attachment with your application.
Kentucky public, private, and homeschool consortium teachers are eligible.
Application Window
October 1 - December 15, 2026
See Details Below for Additional Information
Innovative Learning Experiences
STEM360 seeks to cultivate a culture of innovation wherever learning occurs by supporting educators in developing and implementing creative STEM learning experiences.
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