Join Us in Chicago for the 2024 STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice Convening

8 Weeks to Go! Follow the conversation on our socials for special announcements on speakers, E2E session presenters, and exciting networking opportunities. #STEMEcosystems #ChicagoConvening #AccessInAction

Learn more about this year's convening and register for the event!

News & Opportunities

Wicked Opportunities: Leveraging AI to Transform Education I CRPE’s Think Forward: AI Learning Forum

In a report from CRPE's Think Forward: AI Learning Forum, education leaders and experts convened to address the challenges and opportunities of AI in education. The report emphasizes the urgent need for proactive policies, strategic funding, and collaborative implementation to leverage AI's potential in transforming teaching and learning, particularly for underserved students, while also highlighting the importance of developing new leadership strategies and fostering cross-sector partnerships to ensure equitable access and effective use of AI in schools.

Biden-Harris Announce Actions to Drive Academic Success for all Students I The White House

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a series of actions to drive academic success for all students, including awarding $149 million for evidence-based reading interventions and $30 million for comprehensive assessment systems, as well as issuing new school improvement guidance and resources for educators on literacy and math strategies. The administration is taking steps to address chronic absenteeism and increase student engagement through initiatives like creating statewide student data systems, improving student transportation options, and launching the "Attendance Champions Challenge" to gather input from young people on attendance solutions.

Micro-credentials have a place in K12 I District Administrator

Micro-credentials are gaining traction in K-12 education, offering students valuable skills and career opportunities before college, with employers 72% more likely to hire candidates possessing professional certificates. To implement micro-credentials successfully, district leaders should focus on establishing partnerships, developing robust assessments, adopting a community-based approach, and integrating Learning and Employment Record (LER) technologies while considering factors such as equity, competency-based education, and data security.

Explaining Achievement Gaps: The Role of Socioeconomic Factors I Fordham Institute

A new study from the Fordham Institute examines how socioeconomic factors contribute to racial achievement gaps in U.S. schools. The research finds that family socioeconomic status explains 34-64% of Black-White achievement gaps and 51-77% of Hispanic-White gaps, suggesting that addressing economic disparities could significantly narrow these educational inequities.

Advocacy & Funding Highlights

Two-Year College STEM Education Program I NSF

The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $14.5 million in its inaugural Innovation in Two-Year College in STEM Education (ITYC) program, supporting 35 transformative projects across 18 states and the District of Columbia. These projects aim to advance innovative, evidence-based practices in STEM education at two-year colleges, focusing on enhancing student success, promoting equitable outcomes, and broadening participation for all students in STEM fields.

Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) I NSF

The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program by the National Science Foundation aims to fund research and practice to explore various informal STEM learning experiences and environments, with a focus on engagement, broadening participation, and fostering a sense of belonging in STEM fields. The program supports five types of projects—Synthesis, Conference, Partnership Development and Planning, Integrating Research and Practice, and Research in Support of Wide-reaching Public Engagement with STEM—encouraging proposals that enhance public understanding and engagement with STEM, especially among historically underrepresented communities.

Eligibility: Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), Non-profit, non-academic organizations, For-profit organizations, State and Local Governments, Tribal Nations, Foreign organizations, Other Federal Agencies and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). No restrictions/limits on who may serve as PI.

Award: $28,382,000 to $41,000,000

Submission Due Date: January 08, 2025

Fund for Workforce Equity I Workforce Matters

The Fund for Workforce Equity is a pooled fund, supported by Workforce Matters, that aims to center workers and learners most impacted by racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in workforce policy and program design and implementation. The Fund does this by providing flexible resources and support to workforce development organizations seeking to pilot and learn from new strategies as well as innovate on or extend existing strategies.

Eligibility: Any nonprofit (501c3) organization providing workforce development services primarily to or within historically marginalized or excluded populations, including workers and learners of color, Native Nations and communities, people with disabilities.

Award: 7 two-year grants of $100,000

Submission Due Date: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Sept. 16, 2024; Full Application Oct. 31, 2024

Spotlight on STEM Ecosystems

Arizona STEM Ecosystem

The Arizona SciTech Festival is an annual statewide celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) held from January through April, featuring over 1,000 events that educate and engage Arizonans of all ages about STEM's importance for the state's future. A big shout out to the Arizona STEM Ecosystem for organizing this impactful festival, which brings together more than 800 organizations from industry, academia, arts, civic groups, communities, and K-12 schools to inspire a passion for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) in people aged 3 to 103. SLECoP Website

Broward Area STEM Ecosystem (BASE)

The Broward Youth Climate Summit is a Broward Area STEM Ecosystem initiative that brings together students, educators, and community partners to advance climate literacy and environmental sustainability in Broward County. The upcoming Summit in Feburary 2025 provides a platform for students in grades 5-12 to learn from experts, participate in hands-on activities, and develop innovative solutions to address climate change challenges. This collaborative effort, organized by the Broward County Public Schools Applied Learning Department and the Broward County Natural Resources Division, exemplifies how local STEM Ecosystems can empower youth to become informed and active participants in tackling global environmental issues. SLECoP Website

Delran STEM Ecosystem Alliance

The Delran STEM Ecosystem demonstrated its commitment to advancing STEM education in the local community by hosting an innovative STEAM Camp and Fab Lab Academy over the summer. This four-week program offered engaging experiences for students entering grades 2-8, featuring engineering design challenges, coding, robotics, and digital fabrication using cutting-edge equipment like 3D printers and laser cutters. By providing hands-on learning opportunities and fostering creativity, the Delran STEM Ecosystem is successfully inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers in their area. SLECoP Website

2024 SLECoP Convening, October 29-31 - Have you registered?

Whether you're an educator inspiring young minds, a policymaker shaping the landscape of STEM education, or an industry partner bridging classroom learning with real-world applications, your role in our Ecosystems is vital. Together, we're not just adapting to the future—we're actively creating it. Stay connected at www.stemecosystems.org