Idaho STEM EcosySTEM
Idahoans in every part of the state have access to brighter futures when communities work together and share resources to communicate the value of local STEM education, experiences, and careers. Enter the Idaho STEM Ecosystem! We are a network of collaborators committed to leveraging shared resources that effectively raise awareness of STEM opportunities and connect all Idahoans to STEM pathways in their community.
The Idaho STEM Ecosystem (EcosySTEM) includes a group of engaged partners from PreK-12 and higher education, out-of-school education, industry, nonprofits, state and local government agencies, and the legislature.
The EcosySTEM fosters the integration of STEM experiences for Idahoans, creating problem-solvers and critical thinkers who will sustain and lead our economy.
The EcosySTEM members are dedicated to:
- Building awareness of and ensuring access to STEM education opportunities and STEM careers.
- Aligning STEM education with Idaho workforce needs of today and tomorrow.
- Creating successful metrics for STEM education and programming.
- Building STEM momentum within the state and nationally.
Four strategic working groups meet monthly to further the EcosySTEM’s goals and mission. Idaho STEM Action Center, under the Executive Office of the Governor, serves as the backbone organization. There are three regional hubs that support local needs and leverage local resources. These hubs are:
The EcosySTEM is a member of the STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice (SLECoP) , joining 100 other STEM ecosystems from across the country and the world. As a member of SLECoP, Idaho is part of a group that shares strategies and resources with each other for creating and building STEM workforce pathways, training STEM teachers, and building the type of infrastructure that will allow for diverse partners to work together for shared goals and needs.
More information on STEM ecosystems:
- STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice (SLECoP)
- Idaho STEM Ecosystem information on SLECoP website
Get Involved!
The EcosySTEM is always looking for partner organizations, agencies, businesses, and industry leaders to engage and assist with the work! Interested in learning more or bringing your business/organization on board? Contact Erica Compton.
Thank you to all that attended the 2023 Spring Convening!
BENEFITS for your organization by joining the Idaho STEM Ecosystem:
- Network and connect with partners invested in STEM education from across the state.
- Develop Idaho’s STEM workforce to ensure a prosperous future and economy.
- Be recognized as a leader in STEM for Idaho.
EcosySTEM partners have already started to engage in collective work to strengthen Idaho STEM from cradle to career! Making a commitment statement shows your organizations support the collective work of the EcosySTEM.
Submit your commitment statement to Erica Compton.
If you are struggling to find the right words to form your commitment statement, these resources might help. The first is a google doc that provides a word template and sample statements which can be found here: Commitment Examples. The other is called Commitment Wizard, which is offered by CSforALL. With this tool you simply answer a short series of questions, and it generates a commitment statement for you!
EcosySTEM Archives
Webinar #1 – Meet Our New Hub Coordinators!
October 15, 2021 12pm-1pm MST
Overview: We met the new regional Hub Coordinators, learned more about the ecosystem and hub structures and participated in a question and answer session with the coordinators and STEM AC staff.
Webinar #2 – Cultivating the Future of STEM in Idaho
October 29, 2021 12pm-1pm MDT
Overview:
“Cultivating the Future of STEM in Idaho”, a summary report of the Ecosystem’s asset and needs assessment survey, focus groups, and interviews. During the webinar, participants learned how to leverage this report to support STEM education and workforce development within their own communities. The presentation and discussion were led by the Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES) that serves as the backbone organization for the national STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice.
Webinar #3 – STEM Business and Education Partnership Panel Discussion
November 12, 2021
Overview:
The intent of this panel is to discuss the need for strong partnerships between K-Post Secondary education and business and industry. We will delve into what the needs are of both, where those needs intersect, and how to build stronger relationships.
Webinar #4 – Idaho’s Broadband Initiative
December 17, 2021
Overview:
During this webinar, we learned about the state’s Broadband initiative from the Department of Commerce and how this work can support STEM education and workforce development in your community.
Webinar #5 – Case Study: STEM Initiatives on the Shoshone-Bannock Reservation
January 14, 2022
Overview:
During this webinar we focused on reaching underrepresented populations in Idaho and highlighting the success and potential of programs already underway – particularly the STEM initiatives on the Shoshone-Bannock Reservation.
Webinar #6 – i-STEM Summer Institutes: Discussion and Demos
February 25, 2022
Overview:
During this webinar we discussed the upcoming summer i-STEM institutes. We explored some of the materials from past i-STEM strands that are now available for check out from the i-STEM Lending Libraries, located across the state.
Webinar #7 – The Power of Partnerships
March 25, 2022
Overview:
Preview of our Statewide EcosySTEM Spring convening on April 29-30, 2022. We dived into the Spring 2022 theme of “The Power of Partnerships”, provided a brief history of the EcoSySTEM, and shared thoughts on where we are headed. We also had an overview of the conference schedule of events, a lively discussion on how to engage, information on travel support, and time for you to share what it is YOU need from the EcosySTEM!
Webinar #8 – INNC Stem Hub Discussion Webinar
August 26, 2022
Overview:
The Idaho North and North Central STEM Ecosystem Hub (STEM INNC) was the spotlight of this webinar. Several STEM INNC participants shared highlights about awarded hub sponsorships, student competitions, and other available regional STEM resources and opportunities. The dedicated group represents formal and informal educators, students, parents, industry, libraries, nonprofits, Tribes, and agencies.
Webinar #9 – ISEE STEM Hub Discussion Webinar
September 16, 2022
Overview:
ISEE (Idaho South & East Ecosystem) STEM Hub was excited to share some of the wonderful STEM work going on in our Hub. We presented highlights from Hub Sponsorship recipients, as well as from leaders in the STEM community in South and East Idaho. There was a panel discussion with members of ISEE STEM, where they discussed the work they have been doing and why they joined the EcosySTEM.
Webinar #10 – Idaho EcosySTEM Strategic Action Plan Webinar
October 7, 2022
Overview:
We learned more about the Idaho EcosySTEM strategic action plan and implementation planning. Spark! Strategic Solutions led the presentation.
Spark! Strategic Solutions (Spark!) partnered with the Idaho EcosySTEM from May – August 2022 to co-create the strategic action plan. From September 2022 – February 2023, Spark! will support implementation planning to execute the strategic action plan.
Webinar #11 – SWISH STEM Hub Discussion Webinar
December 16, 2022
Overview:
SWISH shared some of the wonderful STEM activities and events we are working on in our Hub. We presented highlights from Hub Sponsorship recipients and leaders in the STEM community in southwest Idaho. There was a panel discussion with members of SWISH, where they discussed the work they have been doing and why they have joined the EcosySTEM.
Idaho EcosySTEM Convening Documents & Photos
- March 2023 Spring Convening Agenda
- March 2023 Spring Convening Opening Presentation Day 1
- March 2023 Spring Convening Presentation Day 1 (Setting the Stage & Planning the Future, EcosySTEM Leaders & SPARK!)
- March 2023 Spring Convening Opening Presentation Day 2
- Photos from the Convening
Please visit the Spring Convening Agenda Page for Breakout Session Presentations in pdf format.
Idaho EcosySTEM Convening Documents
April 16, 2021 Spring Convening Recording
Passcode: &Lcp*al1
Idaho EcosySTEM Convening Documents
- April 16, 2021 Agenda
- April 16, 2021 New Member Orientation
- April 16, 2021 Morning Presentation
- April 16, 2021 Afternoon Presentation
- April 16, 2021 James Brown, STEM Education Coalition Presentation
- April 16, 2021 Regions 1 and 2 Presentation
- April 16, 2021 Regions 4, 5, and 6 Presentation
- April 16, 2021 Access and Opportunities Presentation
- April 16, 2021 Success Stories – TMC Project Presentation
- April 16, 2021 Shoshone-Bannock Tribe and American Indian Services Presentation
- April 16, 2021: Idaho EcosySTEM Convening Notes
October 30, 2020 Invitation to attend Convening
Idaho EcosySTEM Convening Documents
- October 30, 2020 Agenda
- October 30, 2020 Partners in Action
- October 30, 2020 New Member Orientation
- October 30, 2020 Morning Session Presentation
- October 30, 2020 Afternoon Session Presentation
- October 30, 2020 Happy Hour Presentation
- October 30, 2020 Meeting Notes
- SMARTIE Goal Worksheet (docx)
- Post Convening Survey
Presentations for ALL Regions
September 17, 2020
September 18, 2020
Regions 1 and 2
Regions 3 and 4
Regions 5 and 6
EcosySTEM launch convening began with a Design Studio on January 16, 2020 at Boise State University.
- Idaho STEM EcosySTEM Design Studio Agenda, January 16, 2020
- Idaho STEM EcosySTEM Design Studio PowerPoint Presentation
- Idaho EcosySTEM Design Studio Final Report
Idaho EcosySTEM Launch Partner
EcosySTEM Working Groups, Directory, Branding
Interested in joining a working group? Please reach out to the committee lead.
Infrastructure Workgroup | Lead: Erica Compton
Formalize the Idaho EcosySTEM structure, leadership team, bylaws, and business plan.
Communications Workgroup | Lead: Dan Schillo
Align communications efforts to promote awareness of the importance of STEM and develop metrics to share annual data and success stories.
Capacity Workgroup | Lead: Susan Stauffer
Convene partners to build capacity and continued investment in STEM pathways through hosting an annual convening and building networks in local communities to integrate STEM at home, in the classroom, and in the community.
STEM Experiences Workgroup | Lead: Ashley Schaffner
Coordinate existing STEM experiences to improve access and opportunities for priority audiences including youth (Pre-K-20), families, educators (formal and informal), and employers.
Educator Preparation, Training, and Support Workgroup | Lead: Jennifer Redford
The goal of this group is to find new and better ways to prepare and support PreK-20 educators in STEM education. We are a diverse group, with individuals from formal and informal learning, school administration, higher education, after school programs and out-of-school organizations, curriculum developers, state agencies, and industry.
Ecosystem Directory is password protected. If you need the password, please contact your Hub Coordinator below, or contact Teresa Vail, vista1@stem.idaho.gov:
Idaho North & North Central (INNC) Hub Coordinator:
Susan Stauffer, innc.hubcoordinator@stem.idaho.gov
Idaho South and East (ISEE) Hub Coordinator:
Ashley Schaffner, isee.hubcoordinator@stem.idaho.gov
South West Idaho (SWISH) Hub Coordinator:
Dan Schillo, swish.hubcoordinator@stem.idaho.gov
Right click on images to save in PNG and JPG format or download the zipped files below. Logo zipped files include a stylesheet in pdf format.
- Download ALL Idaho STEM EcosySTEM PNG Logos in a zip format. Not including Hubs.
- Download ALL Idaho STEM EcosySTEM JPG Logos in a zip format. Not including Hubs.
- Download ALL Idaho STEM EcosySTEM EPS Logos in a zip format. Not including Hubs.
- Download the Badge in zip format.
- Download all ISEE STEM PNG, JPG, EPS Logos in a zip format. Hub only.
- Download all STEM INNC PNG, JPG, EPS Logos in zip format. Hub only.
- Download all STEM SWISH PNG, JPG, EPS Logos in zip format. Hub only.
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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2013234. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.