The STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice convening will draw top thinkers, leaders from across the world to learn and share

CYBERSPACE — Oct. 16, 2020 — Nearly 600 STEM leaders from across the world will join a virtual convening of the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice Oct. 19 to Oct. 21 on an interactive platform where attendees create avatars of themselves to move through the campus, attend sessions and talk to one another.

The convening, “Resilience and Resolve,” will showcase some of the many innovations K-12, higher education, after-school leaders and others have developed to best serve their students with meaningful STEM learning.

The convening will open at noon eastern Monday, Oct. 19 with a panel discussion, “Y is STEM Still White?”

The STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, SLECoP , is a global initiative of innovators who know that thriving communities are built through collaboration and a willingness to reimagine education. The SLECoP, in its fifth year, now includes 89 Ecosystems from the United States, Israel, Kenya, Mexico and Canada.

“We are very excited about this convening and the opportunities it will provide for STEM leaders from across the world to learn from one another,” said Marc Siciliano, managing partner of TIES, the organization that operates the SLECoP.

“There has never been a more important time for STEM advances in our world. We must equip the next generation with the skills and the mindsets to help lead the innovation we desperately need. And that means all students. We are dedicated to improving equity in STEM across all systems and working to provide opportunities for those who have been shut out,” Siciliano said.

In addition to two convenings each year, TIES facilitates deep sharing across Ecosystems that make up the SLECoP to help improve STEM learning for all. TIES facilitates the community of practice with a variety of programming, including regular webinars, information exchanges and practice groups.

The SLECoP was built on the fundamental belief that learning happens everywhere – not just in traditional classrooms – and that all members of a community are responsible for that learning. Consequently, Ecosystems are made up of partners representing K-12 public and private education, business and industry, after-school providers, non-profits, STEM-rich institutions, government and philanthropy.

Forming STEM Ecosystems was listed as the No. 1 priority in a five-year STEM plan issued by the Federal Office of Science and Technology Policy and intended to help guide STEM policy and implementation across the country.

Ecosystems’ cross-sector partners work for shared goals around improved STEM opportunities for learners of all ages. Ecosystems also recognize the importance of identifying needed skills for an economy yet to be conceived and advocacy for informed STEM policies to meet 21st century needs.

The SLECoP offers the architecture and support for the ecosystems to connect to one another, learn and share best practices.

Support for the convening and the STEM Learning Ecosystems is provided by numerous foundations, including the Overdeck Family Foundation, Broadcom Foundation, The Lemelson Foundation, the Schusterman Family Foundation, Steinman Foundation, Samueli Foundation, Burroughs-Wellcome Fund and the Grable Foundation.

Additionally, the convening is being sponsored by Tallo, PITSCO, UBTECH Robotics, National STEM Honor Society, WIX and other forward-thinking organizations that understand the power of collaboration.