NMSI Receives $150,000 Grant from RTX to Expand STEM Educator Professional Development in Arizona

The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) has received a $150,000 grant from RTX to expand access to high-quality STEM professional development for educators in Arizona during the 2026–27 school year.

Through this investment, NMSI will broaden its reach in Arizona to serve 150 educators, ultimately reaching approximately 15,000 students across the state.

The grant comes at a critical time for Arizona’s workforce. Companies across the state, including RTX, are growing rapidly, and the demand for a skilled STEM workforce is outpacing supply. In 2024, Arizona ranked No. 1 in the nation for manufacturing growth, adding nearly 50,000 jobs over the past decade. However, experts estimate more than half of those jobs risk going unfilled if significant investments in education are not made.

This partnership is designed to help address that challenge by strengthening the STEM talent pipeline and equipping students with the skills needed to pursue high-demand careers. The grant will support NMSI’s evidence-based professional development services, which equip educators with the content knowledge and instructional strategies needed to increase student access to and success in rigorous STEM coursework.

“Strong STEM education is the foundation of a competitive workforce and thriving communities,” said Jeremy Anderson, CEO of NMSI. “We applaud RTX for its forward-looking investment in STEM education, recognizing that addressing workforce challenges requires not only meeting today’s needs but anticipating tomorrow’s. By investing now in Arizona educators and students, RTX is helping build a stronger, more prepared K-12 STEM workforce pipeline that can meet the demands of advanced manufacturing and emerging industries for years to come.”

“At RTX, we are committed to building a highly skilled workforce that will drive the next era of advanced manufacturing and innovation,” said Kristy Becerra, senior director, Corporate Social Responsibility at RTX. “As we look ahead to our continued growth in Arizona, collaborations like our partnership with NMSI are key. Together, we’re expanding access to high‑quality STEM education and helping prepare students with the knowledge and hands-on skills they need to succeed in today’s most in‑demand careers.”

This work reflects a shared commitment by NMSI and RTX to expand opportunities in STEM education while addressing critical workforce needs. By supporting educators and students today, the partnership is helping to build a stronger, more prepared talent pipeline for Arizona’s future.

About NMSI

The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) is a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to high-quality STEM education through partnerships with school districts across the country. Through research-based programs and high-impact professional development, NMSI equips teachers and school leaders to strengthen instruction and improve student outcomes. Since 2007, NMSI has trained more than 74,000 educators in nearly 2,000 schools, reaching more than 3 million students nationwide.

About RTX

With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.