STEM Funders Network Announces 10 Additional Ecosystems to the STEM Learning Ecosystems Initiative
Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) May 24, 2016 -- The STEM Funders Network (SFN) announced at the 2016 U.S. News STEM Solutions, National Leadership Conference, the addition of 10 ecosystem communities to join the national STEM Ecosystems Initiative comprised originally of 27 ecosystem communities across the United States. This national initiative, built on over a decade of National Academy and related research into successful STEM collaborations, seeks to nurture and scale effective science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning opportunities for all young people. The selected sites from across the United States have committed to collaborate and share their work towards this common vision.
“These communities have the potential of reaching millions of young people both in and out-of-school with innovative STEM learning opportunities,” said SFN co-chairs Gerald Solomon, Executive Director, Samueli Foundation, and Ron Ottinger, Director of STEM Next. “It is an initiative to design the kind of infrastructure that ensures STEM learning is truly ‘everywhere’ and is a top priority for communities supporting youth to develop the skills and knowledge they need for success in a global workforce.”
The incoming 10 ecosystem communities demonstrate a commitment to cross-sector collaborations delivering rigorous, effective preK-16 instruction in STEM learning. These collaborations happen in schools and beyond the classroom—in afterschool and summer programs, at home, in science centers, libraries and other places both virtual and physical. They spark young people's engagement, develop their knowledge, strengthen their persistence and nurture their sense of identity and belonging in STEM disciplines leading to building a vibrant and competitive STEM workforce. As these STEM Ecosystems evolve, a student will be able to connect what they learn in and out of school with real-world learning opportunities, leading to STEM related careers and opportunities.
Launched in 2015 the STEM Funders Network STEM Learning Ecosystems Initiative formed a national Community of Practice with a kick-off convening at the White House. The 10 incoming ecosystem communities will join their national colleagues in creating integrated STEM learning opportunities for millions of youth across the county.
“Baltimore can't wait to join this innovative learning community and take advantage of the technical assistance and capacity building to fully launch and implement Bmore STEM as a robust STEM Ecosystem coordinating and aligning Baltimore's STEM rich resources for the benefit of all our young people,” said Ellie Mitchell, Director of Maryland Out of School Time Network.
The following ecosystem communities were selected to become part of this national STEM Learning Ecosystem:
-- Bmore STEM (Baltimore, MD)
-- Carbon/Schuylkill/Luzerne Counties Ecosystem (Schnecksville, PA)
-- Central NM STEM-H Education Hub (Albuquerque, NM)
-- Central Oklahoma Regional STEM Alliance (Oklahoma City, OK)
-- DC STEM Network (Washington, DC)
-- Northeast Florida STEM Hub (Jacksonville, FL)
-- Lancaster County STEM Alliance (Lancaster, PA)
-- North Louisiana STEM Alliance (Shreveport, LA)
-- Omaha STEM Ecosystem (Omaha, NE)
-- STEM Hub Downeast (Machias, ME)
Learn more about the initiative at stemecosystems.org.
About the STEM Funders Network: The STEM Funders Network brings together grantmakers working in STEM to learn from one another, leverage their collective resources and collaborate on high-impact projects they could not undertake alone. The vision of the STEM Funders Network is that all U.S. students should have equal opportunity to engage in high-quality STEM learning experiences that will enhance their ability to succeed in a STEM career or other chosen path.
STEM Ecosystems funding members of the STEM Funders Network include: Amgen Foundation, Broadcom Foundation, KDK Harmon Foundation, Overdeck Foundation, Pinkerton Foundation Samueli Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation, Simons Foundation, STEM Next (Supported by the Noyce Foundation), and Tiger Woods Foundation.
For more information, please contact info(at)stemecosystems(dot)org.
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Nora Langan, STEM Funders Network, http://stemecosystems.org, +1 (202) 266-4712, [email protected]
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