Your step-by-step proposed plan to build, manage, and inspire an elite STEM community
Phase 1: Establish Your Foundation (Setup & Strategy)
● Lock in Your Leadership: Nominate Co-Advisors and get them approved by your Advisors or Directors to share the load.
● Secure Dashboard Access: Ensure your Chapter Fee is paid within 60 days of September 31st to maintain uninterrupted access to your NSTEM dashboard.
● Establish Your Standards: Review the minimum GPA requirements for STEM classes. Customize these to match your school’s academic standards.
● Draft Your Bylaws: Head to your dashboard and use the direct link to create or update your Chapter’s official bylaws.
● Determine Membership Fees: Decide to charge dues; recommended maximum of $20 annually per student) to fund activities.
● Build Your Advisory Council: Assemble a support crew of teachers, staff, parents, and local professionals to help manage your Chapter and events.
● NSTEM’s Innovation Project Hub: Growing library of ready-to-use and build-your-own STEM projects to bring hands-on learning, creativity, and real-world problem-solving into the classroom and beyond.
Phase 2: Rally the Crew (Recruitment & Onboarding)
● Launch Your Recruitment Campaign: Use brochures, PowerPoint presentations, and flyers on your dashboard to spark student interest.
● Open Student Applications (Optional): Grab the student application template from your dashboard to easily gauge member eligibility.
● Streamline Your Communications: Use NSTEM’s premade email templates to easily connect with members and their families.
● Connect Student & Advisor Dashboards: Share your unique registration URL in your Member Connect with prospective members.
● Complete Mandatory Student Setup: Students must click their email confirmation link and complete their “MY PROFILE” section to link dashboards.
● Manage Your Member Roster: Set student status to “Provisional” initially, and update to active once GPA and STEM hours are verified.
Phase 3: Brand & Celebrate (Supplies & Ceremonies)
● Auto-Deliver Welcome Packets: Submitted roster members automatically receive an electronic welcome packet and certificate.
● Empower Student Officers: Appoint student officers or hold democratic elections to share Chapter management duties.
● Stock Up on Swag & Supplies: Visit the NSTEM store to order induction and graduation essentials (pins, cards, certificates, regalia). ⚠️ Pro-Tip: Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery of custom merchandise!
● Host an Induction Ceremony: Boost student pride, increase community visibility, and involve families and supporters.
● Celebrate Graduation: Honor your departing seniors with a graduation ceremony to inspire them to continue their STEM journeys.
Phase 4: Fuel the Momentum (Engagement & Growth)
● Map Out Your Calendar: Plan your meeting dates and locations well in advance to coordinate with other school activities.
● Plan Dynamic Fundraisers: Active fundraising keeps your chapter thriving. Consider ordering custom chapter t-shirts for team cohesion!
● Approve Enrichment Activities: Monitor and approve students’ logged STEM hours (from summer camps, jobs, volunteering, virtual programs, workshops, etc.).
● Unlock the Resource Hub: Dive into the resource library hub for grants, scholarship opportunities, curriculum guides, activities, etc.
● Showcase Spring STEM Projects: Keep an eye out for details on NSTEM’s annual Project-Based Learning (PBL) Showcase in the Spring.
● Get Bi-Weekly Inspiration: Watch your inbox for the NSTEM Inspiration Email Series sent every two weeks.
Direct Contacts: Reach out to our support team for questions:
○ Member Care: membercare@nstem.org
○ E-Commerce: ecommerce@nstem.org
○ Phone: 978.381.9305
