WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service’s newest stamps acknowledge the role science, technology, engineering and mathematics play in keeping America a global leader in innovation. The STEM Education Forever stamps were dedicated today during the 2018 USA Science & Engineering Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

“In an increasingly competitive world, proficiency in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics — collectively known as STEM — is more critical than ever,” said U.S. Postal Service Marketing Vice President Steve Monteith, who dedicated the stamps.

Monteith also referenced the importance of STEM in the development of Informed Delivery, one of the Postal Service’s latest innovations. Informed Delivery allows customers to see a digital preview of their incoming physical mail and also allows customers to track packages and reschedule deliveries — all from the convenience of the user’s computer, tablet or mobile devices.

“Informed Delivery is one of our most exciting innovations and it’s already very popular with nearly 9 million users so far,” said Monteith.

Joining Monteith to unveil the stamps were Marc Schulman, Executive Director, USA Science & Engineering Festival; Kris Brown, Deputy Associate Administrator for Education, NASA; C. Mark Eakin, Ph.D., Coordinator of Coral Reef Watch, NOAA; Kavya Kopparapu, Finalist, Regeneron Science Talent Search; and Courtney Pine, Kid Reporter, Scholastic News Kids Press Corps. Danni Washington, USA Science & Engineering Festival served as the ceremony’s emcee.

The stamp comes in pane of 20, including four different designs, one for each of the four STEM disciplines.

Designed to pique the curiosity of the viewer, each stamp features a collage of faces, symbols, drawings and numbers that represent the complexity and interconnectedness of STEM. Artist David Plunkert worked with art director Antonio Alcalá to create these stamps. News of the stamps is being shared using the hashtags #EducationStamps and #STEMEducation.

Customers may purchase the STEM Education Forever stamps at The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Office facilities nationwide. A variety of stamps and collectibles also are available at ebay.com/stamps.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Office facilities, at The Postal Store usps.com/shop or by phone at
800-STAMP-24. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in envelopes addressed to:

FDOI – STEM Education Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO  64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by Aug. 6, 2018.

Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the USA Philatelic Publication and online at usps.com/shop. Customers may register to receive a free USA Philatelic Publication online at usps.com/philatelic .

Philatelic Products
Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:
477606, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $60.
477610, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (set of 4), $16.95.
477616, First-Day Cover (set of 4), $3.76.
477621, Digital Color Postmark (set of 4), $6.60.
477630, Ceremony Program (random single), $6.95.
477633, Panel, $10.95.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

# # #

Media Contacts
Media are encouraged to contact local USPS spokespersons to conduct interviews or follow letter carriers on their rounds. Related contacts:  American Humane, Mark Stubis, marks@americanhumane.org, 202.677.4227; American Veterinary Medical Assn., Sharon Granskog, sgranskog@avma.org, 847.285.6619; Insurance Information Institute, Janet Ruiz, janetr@iii.org, 212.346.5545; and, State Farm Insurance, Heather Paul, heather.paul.jaw8@statefarm.com, 309.766.0922.

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf. Follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/usps), Instagram (instagram.com/uspostalservice), Pinterest (pinterest.com/uspsstamps), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/usps), subscribe to our channel on YouTube (youtube.com/usps), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/usps) and view our Postal Posts blog (uspsblog.com).

For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.