Updates from the Field: Workshop on Out of School STEM Learning

July 31, 2014

Out-of-School STEM Learning: A National Summit was held by the National Research Council’s Board on Science Education on June 3-4, 2014. This two-day summit took place at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. The workshop brought together approximately 120 participants, 30 speakers, and 12 expert committee members to help inform the committee’s development of a forthcoming concise primer on successful out-of-school STEM learning. The workshop’s goal was to highlight best practices in out-of-school STEM learning environments, establish methods for assessing success, discuss how to best engage underrepresented groups, and identify strategies for collaboration between formal and informal settings. The program was structured into a number of thematic panels, as well as group discussions and breakout sessions highlighting exemplary programs from a variety of ISE sectors. It concluded with reflections from policymakers about the current state of the field.

The committee continued to accept and synthesize feedback and reflections from participants after the workshop and is currently in the process of producing the consensus report that will identify and summarize issues relevant to out-of-school STEM learning and recommend future work and research that will strengthen, extend, and deepen these types of learning opportunities for all youth. The event was webcast, and recordings are now available on the National Academies website.

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Posted by Grace Troxel