STEP UP is a national community of physics teachers, researchers, and professional societies. We design high school physics lessons to empower teachers to inspire students to pursue physics in college.
Goal: STEP UP 2025-26 Advocates cohort will join a growing, regional community of teachers, university faculty, and pre-service teachers to implementing STEP UP curriculum in their classrooms to inspire all students to pursue physics. Selected teachers will join a cohort of nearly 200 teachers from three specific regions centered around Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. See Eligibility below.
The application is now closed
Eligibility:
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Apply anytime between January 28, 2025 - April 6, 2025
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Teaching at least one section of physics during the 2025-26 academic year - any level (high school or two-year college).
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Able to attend the in-person Advocate Summit for your region
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Willing to provide feedback about your and your students’ experiences with the STEP UP lessons
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Teaching in one of the regions below during the 2025-26 academic year:
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Los Angeles Region
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Chicago Region
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Los Angeles Metropolitan, including Anaheim, Long Beach, and Orange counties
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Greater Chicago area, including ISTA Regions 1 (Chicago) and 7 (Suburban Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, or Will County |
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New York Region
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New York City, Northern New Jersey (counties shown on the map), Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau counties and the greater Buffalo area
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The STEP UP program will accept up to 60 teachers from each region, and each Advocate will earn a $750 stipend. The STEP UP program staff will train Advocates on the STEP UP curriculum at an in-person regional STEP UP Summit (See below for date/time) in the summer of 2025.
Advocates earn their stipend by:
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| Time of year |
Advocate Program Task |
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April 2025
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Welcome to the Cohort 3 Advocate Program for 2025-26 |
| May - June 2025 |
Attend a one-day in-person training on the STEP UP curriculum (summer 2025)
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Los Angeles Regional Summit: Saturday, June 14, time and location TBA.
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Chicago Regional Summit: Saturday, June 14, 2025, time and location TBA.
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New York Regional Summit: Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 10:00-3:00 pm ET at SUNY Global Center - 116 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022
Complete Advocate pre-surveys
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| September - October 2025 |
Administer pre-surveys for students
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| September 2025 - March 2026 |
Use the STEP UP Careers in Physics & Women in Physics lessons with your students
Utilize the Everyday Actions Guide in your classroom
Attend optional in-person and virtual community events in your region
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| April 2026 |
Complete Advocate post-survey; Administer student post-survey
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| May - June 2026 |
Receive stipend for your time and dedication
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Clip from our Summer 2024 New York Regional Summit
Advocate Program FAQs:
1. Can I apply if I'm retired / taking a leave of absence / not in a high school classroom?
2. I am just graduating from a teacher credential program, can I apply?
3. If I can't attend the in-person STEP UP Summit training, can I still apply?
4. Should I have delivered the STEP UP lessons before?
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No, we're excited to welcome folks who know about STEP UP but haven't done the lessons yet!
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Also, if you have delivered the STEP UP lessons, you are still welcome to join us!
5. I don’t know my teaching schedule for the 2025-26 school year. Can I still apply?
6. I might be changing schools for the 2025-26 school year, but will remain in one of the regions of focus. Can I still apply?