Accelerating STEM education requires innovation, research, collaboration, communication, and cultural competence. Evolution is a core concept in biology, providing a overarching organizational framework for diverse research questions across scales with societal relevance. Findings in this area have far-reaching implications for how we respond to climate change, address drug resistance, create food security, and effectively communicate information in a post-genomic era. The importance of evolutionary processes is embodied in the NSF Big Idea of Understanding the Rules of Life, requiring an approach to scientific inquiry that crosses scales and scientific disciplines. Yet, evolution is often misunderstood, and/or rejected outright. Different cultures engage with evolution education in different ways and the ideals put forth in the INCLUDES program are relevant to increasing the accessibility of evolution education to a diverse population. AccelNet: Rooting the Evolution Education Tree will coordinate networks across North America and internationally by connecting groups involved in evolution education, evo-ed research, outreach, informal science, and science communication to leverage efforts across disciplines and geographic boundaries resulting in a more scientifically literate citizenry and STEM workforce.