Share your experience with fellow STEM Learning Ecosystems.

Strategy 9

Share your experience with fellow STEM Learning Ecosystems.

Talk to other ecosystems with goals and priorities similar to STEM PUSH.

You’re welcome to share STEM PUSH and related work with any (or all!) ecosystems you interact with, including neighboring ecosystems. However, those focused on STEM equity, representation, or higher education are likely to be the most receptive to these conversations.

Before joining the STEM PUSH Network, the California STEM Network had a strategic focus on STEM equity and engaging more K-12 learners in STEM. They found the opportunity to join STEM PUSH enticing because the work would not only increase the matriculation rate of students already enrolled in their PCSPs, but also increase the base number of learners who could access STEM programs.

When preparing to engage in equity and admissions work, The NYC STEM Education Network says it’s potentially helpful for an ecosystem to have a large, higher education institution active within its membership – especially if the representative is in a leadership role. However, they stress that this isn’t an automatic advantage. An institution’s academic programs and departments often have different priorities than admissions departments, and having an admissions department representative in the ecosystem would be the most helpful.

Keep an open mind

Proximity and shared goals provide solid starting points for identifying STEM PUSH ecosystems. But remember: There’s no one model for an ecosystem. Beyond meeting STEM PUSH expectations, participating ecosystems could look and operate quite differently.

Remember that STEM equity and transformation in higher education is two-way work!

The ecosystem role in STEM equity and higher education transformation is about connection making, relationship building, and knowledge sharing. As you’ve seen throughout this playbook, ecosystems have much to give to this work. However, they can get just as much in return: Ecosystems are equal partners in the STEM PUSH Network’s drive towards systems change and the ultimate design and generation of a more diverse, dynamic, and equitable STEM field.

PUSH Play: California STEM Network highlights the benefits of STEM PUSH participation for ecosystems.

Strategy 9