Resilience and Resolve – The Power of STEM Learning Ecosystems

STRONG CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS

Ecosystems have cultivated diverse cross-sector partnerships among all STEM stakeholders, including: families; pre-K-12 education; business and industry; postsecondary education institutions; non-profit and community based organizations; STEM-rich and cultural institutions (e.g. science centers, museums); and government. All community partners are included in the design of learning and the spaces in which learning happens, including: schools, libraries, parks, businesses, out of school partners, government, museums, cultural spaces, nonprofits, and other community based organizations. Ecosystems fundamentally believe that learning happens everywhere and all partners have a role to play. Ecosystems keep equity central to all that they doing, ensuring anti-racist policies exist within all community partner organizations.

SYSTEMS THAT SUSTAIN THE WORK

Ecosystems establish infrastructure within communities that sustain the work. This includes strong governance models amongst cross-sector partners, clear leadership roles, internal and external systems of communication and champions for the work. Ecosystem partners are clear about the common vision for their work. Ecosystem partners also understand their role within the system and contribute their resources for the good of the greater community. Partners also benefit from participating in Ecosystem work, making their home institution stronger in return. Systems are built with the central belief that equity, access and opportunity be available to all learners and families. Systems are also created with safety, mental, physical and emotional health at the center of all learning, regardless of the space.

ALIGNED TEACHING AND LEARNING

Ecosystems align learning between in-school and out-of-school systems. Ecosystems support learning progressions that move from the classroom to afterschool and summer school programming. Ecosystems prioritize shared professional development that reflects research-based effective teaching practices for educating common students across in and out-of-school providers. Ecosystems understand that learning happens everywhere and leverage partnerships to ensure communities capitalize on all existing assets. Ecosystems have a broad definition of assets. Ecosystems promote social-emotional development and learning as a critical foundation for all learning.

MEASUREMENT OF ECOSYSTEM PROGRESS

Ecosystems implement measurement systems to ensure data-driven decision-making and longitudinal measurement of success. Systems measure both progress of student achievement and STEM attitudes, as well as the strength of partnerships and the larger Ecosystem. Ecosystem measurement systems outline clear outcomes, designed by all stakeholders and connected to standards, to embed in all community learning experiences. Ecosystems understand the work is complex and utilizes practices that support both qualitative and quantitative data to view progress.

WORKFORCE AND CAREER TRAJECTORIES

Ecosystems create articulated postsecondary and career readiness pathways that are responsive to local employer demand and regional economic development. Ecosystems map all pathways for students to give families clear options for success. Ecosystems align closely with local and regional employers to understand workforce needs and future career trends. Ecosystems partner often with business, industry and government to ensure all learning is relevant to future work and innovation.