OUR NETWORK: The Community of Practice
STEM Ecosystems have been credited with driving measurable and meaningful gains for students and families in urban and rural areas across 43 states, as well as in Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Iceland and Israel, Kenya, and Mexico. Ecosystems have played a key role in partnering with local, regional and national employers, often making a key difference in companies’ plans, including talent identification and development.
What is a Community of Practice?
A community of practice is a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do, and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.
The theoretical community of practice framework is based on the work of Etienne and Beverly Wenger-Trayner. Seven principles outlined by Wenger-Trayner[1] guide the cultivation of the STEM Learning Ecosystem.
- Design for Evolution
- Open a dialogue between inside and outside perspectives
- Invite different levels of participation
- Develop both public and private community spaces
- Focus on value
- Combine familiar and excitement
- Create a rhythm for the community.
[1] Wenger, E., McDermott, R. and Snyder, W. M. (2002). Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
