here's a brief overview, https://steemit.com/science/@steemstem/an-update-on-the-steemstem-project although much have happened since, including getting support from curie: https://steemit.com/curation/@curie/curie-weekly-update-10th-september-to-17th-september-2017-major-update-inside
You can always join the chat too find out more :)