About Us

PBC STEM was developed through a multimillion-dollar, multifaceted STEM Initiative that was a collaboration between the University of Florida (UF) and the School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC). The group worked from conceptualization to evaluation of a four-year, far-reaching, multi-partner effort to position Palm Beach County as a national leader in the recruitment, development, and retention of master teachers in STEM education. Thus, ensuring access to a high-quality STEM education for all learners. Local post-secondary and institutions of higher education were actively involved in the implementation of the STEM Initiative.

Uniting the Cox Science Center and Aquarium and Palm Beach County STEM Learning Ecosystem (PBC STEM) to empower the development of a strong STEM culture that values cross-sector collaboration to align workforce needs with formal and informal educational preparation to develop a robust learning ecosystem within our region. The Cox Science Center and Aquarium will serve as the backbone by:

acting as fiscal agent (providing fiscal oversight (501c (3) status),
providing physical space/resources
providing strategic guidance and stewardship

Established in 2012, the PBC STEM is an alliance of private, public, and nonprofit sectors who work collaboratively to expand and promote STEM education throughout our region. PBC STEM Ecosystem is a collective impact initiative committed to cultivating and sustaining a robust and equitable Ecosystem that provides world-class STEM opportunities and experiences for all learners throughout our region.

The purpose of this collaboration of community partners, philanthropic organizations, institutions of higher education, and the School District of Palm Beach County is to foster a STEM pipeline that focuses on the development of inquiry and interdisciplinary learning opportunities for all students. The application of real-world problems and scenarios cultivates critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity skills necessary for future success in a global economy.

Collective Impact

Our Funders

This program is funded thanks to the generosity of our donors:

Mary and Robert Pew Public Education Foundation

Stiles - Nicholson Foundation

Mark Howard, Program Director

Lisa Butler, Strategic Consultant

OUR TEAM

Mr. Howard served as the Chief of Performance Accountability for the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida, one of the nation’s largest urban districts serving nearly 200,000 students. Mr. Howard provided leadership and supervision of federal and state accountability, state, and district assessment programs, district research activities and program evaluation efforts, leading, lagging indicator reporting systems and the development, and reporting of student performance systems for teacher evaluations. Throughout his career, Mark has been a voice for students and champion of equity. Mark began his career as a teacher and coach in the School District of Palm Beach County. Mr. Howard was the Palm Beach County Dwyer Award Teacher of the Year in 1995 and was recognized as the Path to College Education Champion in 2021.

Lisa Butler has served the PBC STEM Learning Ecosystem since 2017 developing strategic plans, building infrastructure, organizing meetings and supporting committee growth. Lisa began her career with Procter & Gamble, where she managed their commercial business unit, served as a trainer for the National Customer Business Development program and developed national training programs for the Commercial Products Group. Lisa also served as the leader of the Southeast Women's Network for P&G, working with the national group of network leaders across the country and developing a passion for inclusion and advocacy that would follow her from corporate America to local schools in Palm Beach County. As the PBC STEM Partner Liaison, Lisa works to grow membership, provide engaging programming, and develop strong connections within the community.