How might we vastly increase the number of underrepresented students who continue along STEM pathways as they navigate our educational systems? Why are so many students kicked off these paths?
STEM++ proposes a big framework change — improving the “who” of STEM education by challenging the “how” and “why” of STEM teaching and learning.
Starting in 2015, we’ve held conferences and gatherings both in the Bay Area and in Philadelphia, building up ecosystems of advisors, practitioners, and advocates. In 2017, we started working on developing new tools for students and their advocates including gathering and publishing more research on STEM pathway challenges and strategies. 2018 gave us the opportunity to take our STEM++ DNA and apply it to climate action in education — as we launched Global Climate Changemakers.
Looking forward to the next 12 months, we are excited to be working on a few bigger projects to deepen this work. The first is a STEM autobiography project to help us illuminate the field of obstacles and opportunities students face. We are also exploring a research practice partnership with a major university and one of the Bay Area’s large school districts. Stay tuned for more information.
Supporting the work
STEM++ is a project of MakeKnowledge, a California 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the STEM++ work here.