STEP UP is a national community of physics teachers, researchers, and professional societies. We design high school physics lessons to empower teachers, create cultural change, and inspire young women 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 young women 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.
Application for Cohort 3 opens January 28, 2025
Eligibility:
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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, and Nassau counties
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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.
Applications close **April 6, 2025** at 11:59 p.m. EST. Don't miss out!
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: TBA, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm PT at California State University, Northridge
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Chicago Regional Summit: Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm CT at Loyola University Lake Shore Campus.
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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?