Our STEM Network

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. But it means more than that to us.

It’s about learning that draws on math and science concepts, but also incorporates teamwork and makes appropriate use of technology and engineering methodologies. It’s about innovation.

The Cape Cod Regional STEM Network is the hub of the region's STEM Learning Ecosystem. We bring together educators, school districts, business and industry partners, and community members who share a commitment to inspiring and supporting young people’s interest and achievement in STEM learning and careers. In many of our programs, our focus is on the region's Blue Economy, which honors our region's unique natural resources and the legacy of those who came before us, and also integrates STEM and the newest innovations to empower our coastal communities for a bright future.

We’re building a vibrant STEM learning community, with the skills to excel at school and in the world of work. We are an informal network, welcoming all who share this vision to join us.

Supporting STEM at School and in the Community

Since 2014, we have:

  • Partnered with over 85 business and organizations to reach thousands of students, teachers, and families each year at Cape & Islands STEM Week and other STEM-focused community events
  • Hosted professional development experiences for more than 300 teachers, with programs ranging from one-day workshops to four-day institutes
  • Launched a Vex robotics competition league for area middle and high schools with 36 teams competing
  • Offered a summer Teacher-in-Residence program that pairs teachers with researchers and leaders at the region’s top STEM-rich institutions
  • Sponsored WaterWORKS Blue Economy Career Day and other career and transfer events each semester to encourage high school and college students to pursue STEM pathways
  • Awarded over $45,000 in small grants to teachers, faculty, and non-profit educational outreach groups for creating and teaching STEM in exciting ways

Who We Are

Director & Co-Chair of Advisory Board

Bridget Burger brings over twenty years of combined experience in math teaching and curriculum development at the secondary school level, as well as nonprofit organization leadership, fundraising, and community program development. Her experience has included developing experiential, culturally-relevant STEM curriculum for Pacific Islanders, creating project-based, ELL, and developmental math curriculum for vocational schools, and collaborating across stakeholders to deliver high-quality educational programs in the communities she serves. She grew up in Barnstable Village, and graduated from Barnstable High School. A graduate of Yale, with a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley University, she is an Ethnomathematics and STEM Institute Scholar at the University of Hawaii Manoa College of Education. She has served on the boards of many organizations, including the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education's STEM Starter Academy Advisory Board, Cape Cod Technology Council, Barnstable High School Chapter 74 Environmental Technology program, Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, Barnstable Historical Society, and Barnstable Yacht Club. She is currently the Co-Principal Investigator on two research projects awarded by the National Science Foundation expanding STEM education in the region. She was recently selected as a Fulbright Specialist in STEM Education for a tenure of four years. As the Director of the STEM Network, she is committed to expanding access, equity, and inclusion for historically underrepresented populations in STEM, from Pre-Kindergarten to career across Cape Cod and the Islands.

Dean of STEM & Co-Chair of Advisory Board

Dr. Donald Crampton serves as the Dean of Academic & Student Affairs for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at Cape Cod Community College. Dr. Crampton earned a B.A. in Biochemistry at Ithaca College, a Ph.D. in Botany at Arizona State University and worked as an NIH postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Crampton specializes in developing research-based and data informed student centered approaches to institutional effectiveness.

Advisory Board

Chris Adams serves as Chief of Staff at the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. In his role at the Chamber, he leads government relations & public policy development, and is Program Director for the Cape Cod Blue Economy Project. Mr. Adams has been very active in the Cape community for decades and has a thorough understanding of complex issues such as energy, transportation, maritime, water resources, and the environment. He has been a small business owner, worked for two members of the U.S. Congress, been very involved in local marine industry, and serves as a fire department officer, EMT and public safety dive team leader. A Cape native, Chris graduated from Barnstable High School and holds a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Amy Fish is the Innovation Studio Facilitator in the Bourne Public Schools. The Studio is a 4,000 square foot “makerspace,” where she helps teachers from across the curriculum create inquiry-based projects for their students in grades K–12. Amy has taught engineering, math, science, and Spanish. She is passionate about getting students out from behind their desks and actively involved in their learning.

Peter Karlson is the founder and CEO of NeuEon, Inc., a technology consultancy based in the Boston area. NeuEon provides strategic guidance and advice to businesses and nonprofits with the goal of helping them become smarter about the ways they use technology. Peter is an entrepreneur at heart, although his company advises both established organizations and startups.

Barbara Knoss is the Director of Education & Volunteers at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster. The Museum’s mission includes helping learners of all ages explore their potential as “citizen scientists.” Cultivating a sense of wonder is a priority for Barbara. She also brings 35 years of elementary school teaching and teacher training experience to her role on our Advisory Board.

Michael P. Looney, Sr. currently serves as Director of Career and Technical Education for the Mashpee Public School System, and has served as instructor of Technology Engineering Education at both the Mashpee middle and high school levels for the past 16 years. Michael has held leadership positions for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including serving on the Infrastructure Subcommittee to develop the first statewide STEM plan and the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. Michael earned an undergraduate degree in technology education and a Master of Science in Communications Media from Fitchburg State University. He also earned a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies in School Administration from American International College.