With flexible and fun learning environments, expanded education opportunities keep students sharp and excited about learning. They also help to eliminate learning gaps over the course of a child’s life. The Compendium shares stories from the field to inspire powerful expanded education programs in your community.
The Society for Science and the Public shows how science fairs can be an important community-based tool to engage students and families in STEM.
The Global Family Research Project has transformed the Ideabook: Libraries for Families into a living, digital compilation of research-based frameworks, practical tips and new ideas for public libraries, families and the greater community.
Queens, NY is the most ethnically diverse urban areas in the world, with as many as 800 languages spoken. Communication is key in this ecosystem’s quest to engage families.
The blog acknowledges the achievement gaps that exist for students that don’t have access to summer and afterschool opportunities. STEM Next Opportunity Fund gives four easy tips to support families in connecting to STEM opportunities within the community.
British Columbia’s ecosystem taps into the youthful enthusiasm of the community to bring families into the STEAM arena. Symbiosis sparks a family’s interest by using fun and celebration.
Family Engagement Panel by Louisiana based organizations at the Spring 2019 STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice Convening in New Orleans, LA in April 2019. This panel showcased lessons learned from expanded education and post-secondary training programs in New Orleans and Baton Rouge working with vulnerable and/or underserved populations.
A panel of leaders from children’s museums and science centers in Louisiana and New Mexico discuss how they use play to engage families and build awareness around STEM from early ages. Each organization – Explora from STEM-NM, the Sci-Port Discovery Center, and Knock Knock Children’s Museum – presents an overview of work, a hands on activity that families in their home communities complete together and a gallery walk activity for session participants with six questions and prompts.
Families must be deeply engaged to ensure students’ success
This ecosystem has discovered multiple creative solutions to bring STEM closer to families. Communication guides, at home activities and access to STEM career pathways are empowering families in greater Cincinnati.
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