Help families of young children with disabilities bring STEM learning into everyday routines and grow your leadership, network, and impact along the way.

• Connect with family leaders across the country
• Learn practical ways to support STEM learning for all young children during natural routines
• Share resources that make a difference for families like yours

The inaugural cohort will begin in August 2026 and end in July 2027.

Application opens in May 2026. Stay tuned to this page for updates and application link!

Purpose: 

The STEMIE Family Ambassador Cohort brings awareness of the rights of young children with disabilities (birth to five) to engage in playful science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning within everyday routines and activities.  The Cohort supports family leaders in helping young children, including children with disabilities, explore and learn through everyday STEM experiences like play, routines, and interactions at home and in their communities.

As a STEMIE Family Ambassador, you will:

• Share practical STEM ideas with other families (and organizations working directly with families)
• Help spread awareness of accessible STEM learning
• Contribute to and co-create family-friendly resources promoting STEM experiences for young children with disabilities

Who Should Apply?

We are looking for family leaders who:

• Are parents or caregivers of young children (birth–5), including children with disabilities
• Are connected to Parent Centers or other organizations providing services and support for young children with and without disabilities (or interested in growing those connections)
• Enjoy sharing ideas and supporting other families
• Want to grow as leaders and advocates

What STEMIE Family Ambassadors Do:

• Cultivate relationships with partners committed to improving systems, services, and outcomes for young children with or at risk for disabilities and their families.
• Promote awareness and use of STEMIE resources.
• Participate in at least one national meeting or conference with the purpose of collaborating with other Ambassadors and disseminating information about STEMIE resources and accessible STEM learning for all children.
• Develop and implement a personal action plan for their role as a Family Ambassador.

You are not expected to be a trainer or expert. This role is about sharing, learning, connecting, and promoting STEM experiences for young children. This might include sharing resources with other families, partnering with programs to raise awareness and implement strategies to support accessible STEM experiences, or contributing ideas to inform new tools and other resources.

What You’ll Gain as a STEMIE Family Ambassador:

• Special recognition from STEMIE, regional PTACs, and CPIR as a STEMIE Family Ambassador (acknowledgement at national/state meetings, press releases, representation on the STEMIE Family Ambassador web page, etc.)
• Exclusive access to the Ambassador Portal that includes a toolkit with downloadable materials, presentations and display-quality products, and a social media toolkit.
• An in-depth orientation to welcoming and supporting accessible STEM experiences for young children and learning the STEMIE resources
• Opportunities through routine virtual Family Ambassador Cohort meetings to network, share ideas and successes, and learn from colleagues nationwide.
• Monthly virtual 1:1 leadership coaching sessions with a board-certified coach (at no cost to you) to support your self-identified goal and action steps
• Practical tools to support STEM learning in everyday routines
• Opportunities to grow your leadership and advocacy skills
• A national network of family leaders and other professionals supporting families of young children
• Opportunities to attend and participate in conferences (travel support provided)

Time Commitment:

The Family Ambassador is expected to participate in the cohort for 12 months (with renewal options). The 2026/2027 Cohort will begin in August 2026 and end in July 2027.

Approximate time commitment will be 3-6 flexible hours per month, which includes:

• Attending virtual Cohort meetings
• Attending monthly 1:1 virtual coaching sessions
• Sharing resources or ideas with families, colleagues, and/or other partners
• Optional activities based on your interests and availability

Tentative STEMIE Family Ambassador Timeline:

August – October 2026: Orientation and Monthly Virtual Cohort Meetings to discuss STEM learning for all young children, explore STEMIE resources, and begin working on your individual action plan

October 2026: Begin monthly virtual 1:1 coaching sessions that last from October 2026-June 2027

November 2026 – July 2027: Virtual Cohort Meetings every other month (November, January, March, May, July) to include peer-to-peer sharing, networking, and opportunities to co-create STEMIE resources)

Spring 2027:  Opportunity to attend a face-to-face national parent conference or a conference focused on supporting young children with disabilities and their families, with opportunities to network and share resources (travel support provided)

June-July 2027: Final coaching sessions and cohort meeting, reflection, and celebration