April 3, 2019
The Lincoln STEM Ecosystem has been selected to join the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, SLECoP (stemecosystems.org). In a highly competitive process, Lincoln STEM Ecosystem was named one of 15 new ecosystems selected to join the global movement devoted to dramatic improvement in how students learn.
STEM Learning Ecosystems build meaningful regional connections among educators, business and industry partners, afterschool and summer programs, to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of the future. Each ecosystem connects to counterparts from across the country and world, enabling the exchange of best practices, information and resource-sharing.
The 15 ecosystems joining the SLECoP today bring the number to 85 total, with most in the United States but also extending to Canada, Mexico, Israel and Kenya. New ecosystems to join the SLECoP range from the entire states of Iowa, Texas, South Carolina and West Virginia to regions like Biloxi, Miss., Broward County, Fla., Central Massachusetts and Lincoln, Neb.
“This was an incredibly competitive process, and we were only able to admit ecosystems who would be capable of making immediate contributions to our thriving community of practice,” said Jan Morrison, president and founding partner of TIES, the organization that operates the SLECoP. “The ecosystems that we selected now have pulled together diverse partners who no longer accept the status quo in education; they want to see all students access high quality STEM education that will prepare them for life and work in the next century.”
Forming STEM ecosystems was listed as the No. 1 priority for STEM education in a December 2018 report by the Federal Office of Science and Technology Policy.
“Lincoln is making great strides to offer the recommended rich, meaningful STEM education and experiences to our youth,” said James Blake co-director of the Lincoln STEM Ecosystem and K-12 Science Curriculum Specialist for Lincoln Public Schools. “As a recognized STEM Learning Ecosystem, we can tailor quality STEM learning opportunities to our specific needs in Lincoln while leveraging the experiences of similar alliances across the world.” Bryan Seck, Director of Workforce Development, Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, joins James in directing and shaping the ecosystem.
The founding members of the new Lincoln STEM Ecosystem include:
● Dan Hohensee, Director, The Career Academy
● Sally Wei, Engineering Education and Outreach Coordinator, UNL College of Engineering
● Tiffany Mousel, Community Outreach Specialist, Lincoln Electric System (LES)
● Trish Wonch Hill, Interim Director - Methodology and Evaluation Research Core Facility, University of Nebraska
● Anna Wishart, Senator, Nebraska Legislature
● Nola Derby-Bennett, Community Learning Centers Director, Lincoln Public Schools
● Jeff Cole, Network Lead, Beyond School Bells
● Tracy Bohaboj, Team Leader - Engineering, Duncan Aviation
● Jessilyn Vraspir, Continuous Improvement, Lincoln Public Schools
● Reeves Cleve, Principal Architect, BVH Architecture
● Tiffany Heng-Moss, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Early plans for Lincoln are to host a formal kickoff, a “STEMixer”. This annual event will add partners and keep those interested in supporting and building a STEM ecosystem at the table: businesses, schools, STEM expert organizations (museums and zoos), policy makers, and after-school organizations. This group will be transformational to Lincoln becoming a leader in STEM workforce competitiveness in Nebraska and the United States..
The STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, SLECoP, is a global initiative of innovators who know that thriving communities are built through collaboration and a willingness to reimagine education and provide opportunities to those commonly neglected.
The SLECoP was built on the fundamental belief that learning happens everywhere, not just in traditional classrooms. Consequently, ecosystems are made up of partners representing K-12 public and private education, business and industry, after-school providers, non-profits, STEM-rich institutions, government and philanthropy.
Learn more about the national initiative at stemecosystems.org. Address specific questions to info@stemecosystems.org. Join online conversations on Twitter @STEMecosystems and #STEMecosystems and on Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow the Lincoln STEM Ecosystem on Twitter @lnkse or on our website lnkse.org.
SLECOP National CONTACT: Alyssa Briggs
alyssabriggs@tiesteach.org
Ecosystem Regional Contact: James Blake
jblake@lps.org & Bryan Seck bseck@selectlincoln.org