STEM Learning Is Everywhere: Summary of a Convocation on Building Learning Systems (2014)

Sunday, February 9

Welcoming Remarks

Mike Town (Organizing Committee Cochair), Redmond High School

Gerald Solomon, Samueli Foundation, STEM Funders Network

Jay Labov, National Research Council

Presentation: Moving Forward with STEM Learning for All Children: What Will It Take?

Bruce Alberts, Past President, National Academy of Sciences and Former Editor-in-Chief, Science

Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Creating Local STEM Learning Collaboration Models

During this session, authors of two recently published reports on STEM learning across multiple platforms will share their findings and engage the attendees in conversation on the implications of their reports on the development of a STEM learning ecosystem.

Moderator: Martin Storksdieck, Board of Science Education, National Research Council

9-9:30 AM

STEM Learning Ecosystems

Kathleen Traphagen and Saskia Traill, coauthors, Noyce Foundation

9:30-10 AM

STEM Integration in K-12
Education: Status, Prospects, and an Agenda for Research

Margaret Honey (NRC Committee Chair), New York Hall of Science

10-10:30 AM

The Myths and Challenges of Integrating Afterschool Platforms

Anita Krishnamurthi, (Member, Organizing Committee), Afterschool Alliance

Claudia Walker (Member, Organizing Committee), Murphey Traditional Academy

Q&A with Audience

How the Findings and Implications of Research and Policy Can Foster STEM Learning Everywhere

11-11:20 AM
Policy Issues Confronting the Creation of a STEM Learning Ecosystem

Jennifer Peck (Member, Organizing Committee), Partnership for Children & Youth

11:20-11:40 AM

Implications of Research Findings on Cross-Setting Learning

Bronwyn Bevan, San Francisco Exploratorium

Moderator: Elizabeth Stage, Lawrence Hall of Science

11:40-Noon

Q&A with Audience

Topics for initial discussion:

• Innovations in pre-service and educator professional learning arising from cross-sector collaboration
• Aligning learning opportunities and creating cross-sector collaboration among informal, afterschool and formal learning providers

Breakout Group Discussions:
Each breakout group will explore a particular set of issues and opportunities for collaboration in greater detail:

• Innovations in pre-service and educator professional learning arising through cross-sector collaboration
• Aligning learning opportunities and creating cross-sector collaboration among schools, afterschool programs, and informal science education providers
• Online learning technologies in promoting collaboration and cross-sectional learning communities
• Other topics as suggested by participants in the final morning session

Each breakout group will appoint a

rapporteur to discuss its findings in brief presentations during the next session

Panel Discussion: Rapporteurs from Breakout Sessions

Moderator: Laura Henriques (Member, Organizing Committee), California State University, Long Beach

Breakout Group Discussions:
Each breakout group will discuss opportunities for collaboration among the three learning platforms (informal, afterschool, formal) sectors:

• Innovations in pre-service and educator professional learning arising through cross-sector collaboration
• Online learning technologies in promoting collaboration and cross-sectional learning communities
• Seeking joint funding and policy solutions for cross-sectional collaboration and implementation
• Other topics that may be generated through earlier discussions (to be announced)

Each breakout group will appoint a rapporteur to discuss its findings in brief presentations on Tuesday morning

Presentation by OC STEM Initiative Partners:

Discovery Science Center, THINK Together, Tiger Woods Learning Center, Orange County Department of Education

Shuttles Depart for Beckman Center (For those heading for airport immediately following the convocation, please bring your luggage with you)

Framing of the Day and Outcomes
Jay Labov and Gerald Solomon Brief presentations and discussion on Day 1 “aha” moments from small group breakout sessions on collaboration opportunities, and defining the attributes for prototypes

Breakout Sessions by Community:
Participants from each learning community (informal, afterschool, formal) will meet separately for this session. Based upon what was discussed yesterday and earlier in the morning, each group should address the following challenges:

• Plans for interactions with other education sectors
• Activities to engage other sectors
• Measurable short-term outcomes (6 weeks)
• Measurable mid-term outcomes (6 months)
• Measurable longer-term outcomes (1 year)
• Contributions to online resources for use by all sectors

Each group should appoint a rapporteur to report the group’s findings in the session after lunch

Brief Group Reports, Final Questions and Discussion, and Next Steps
Final thoughts from organizing committee followed by open discussion

Convocation Adjourns
Transportation back to hotel and John Wayne Airport (signup sheets will be available at the registration table)