VASCD Article on the VSLN

 VASCD Feature article - February 2016

The Virginia STEM Learning Network:

A Catalyst for Advancing Virginia's New Economy

by Amy Sabarre and Jim Egenrieder 

"The Network serves as the catalyst for reaching and inspiring more Virginia students to pursue additional STEM subjects, STEM jobs, STEM certificates and degrees, and STEM careers. " 

STEM-focused teaching and learning is here to stay. STEM education is not just a passing phase in educational practice; it's the foundation for long-term economic drivers in which educators play a critical role in preparing our students for post-secondary education, training, careers, and advanced citizenship.  STEM leaders have a real and immediate opportunity to align good teaching practices with an emphasis on STEM habits of mind that benefit students around the Commonwealth.  This opportunity also advances Virginia's position in the national landscape of STEM and STEM education, considering:

• Virginia is a national leader in STEM fields; 
• Virginia has been rated first in the country for high tech jobs[1];
• Virginia ranks in the top 10% of states for science and engineering degrees obtained[2];
• In Virginia, the average hourly earnings in STEM-related employment are almost twice that of all other occupations[3]; and,
• The US Chamber of Commerce named Virginia the Best State for STEM jobs in 2013.[4]

Challenges and Needs

Our Commonwealth and its economy are advantaged by these successes, and our STEM-literate citizens are better able to create, recognize and support wise public policy.    However, in looking to the future, our increasingly global and technology-driven economy and society will require even
more purposeful, progressive, systems and pathways from PK-career for all students through STEM education.  We need coordinated support for educators to meet that goal, including:

• Collaborative or coordinated inventories of STEM Educational programs throughout the Commonwealth;
• Expanded research identifying successful and scalable model programs; 
• Teacher-preparation or in-service programs that focus on STEM education;
• Vetted exemplar STEM curricula integrative within all subject areas; and,
• Expanded awareness among citizens of all ages of the scope of STEM professions.

The Virginia STEM Learning Network

The grass-roots effort that began among school-based STEM educators in 2014 to create the Virginia STEM Learning Network (VSLN) provides real-world feedback and support for programs and policies directed by advocates in the Department of Education and our new Virginia STEM position in the Governor's office.  This network of teachers, teacher-leaders and allies provides a student-focused and teacher-focused perspective in identifying, collecting, collaboratively developing and sharing resources, ideas, models, and data.  The Network thereby serves as the catalyst for reaching and inspiring more Virginia students to pursue additional STEM subjects, STEM jobs, STEM certificates and degrees, and STEM careers.  

Click here for a one- page overview of the STEM Learning Network

STEM HUBS WILL SERVE EIGHT REGIONS 

 The VSLN is not only inclusive of all PK-12 academic and technical disciplines, but also engages representatives of Virginia workforce development, higher education, business and industry, nonprofit organizations, and informal education. Through the Network’s collection of regional STEM hubs in each part of the Commonwealth, it provides a mechanism for authentic collaboration for all stakeholders to explore and discover solutions to regional and statewide challenges, and thereby provides a steady supply of problem-solvers that will enable Virginia’s New Economy to flourish.

The Power is in the Regional STEM Hubs 

The real work will happen at each regional hub as they uniquely identify their labor demands, the available skilled workforce, and potential stakeholders to create partnerships and programs that will meet the needs of that hub. Each hub will support and guide the implementation of new and existing STEM initiatives, document effective STEM practices, leverage resources and support, and coordinate and communicate regional STEM activities (Appendix a). Regional STEM hub representatives can thereby coordinate messages and support to our allies in state government leadership, higher education, and regional and statewide workforce leaders. 

Call to Action 

As Virginia continues to cultivate and attract international and increasingly technological opportunities, the growing demand for a STEM-literate and technically skilled workforce is critical. The development and expansion of this grass-roots STEM education network relies on collaboration, communication and creativity of educators statewide. Collectively we will foster innovation and change that attract the attention of employers, workers and leaders from elsewhere, while also building our own skilled workforce. As the VSLN continues to refine its strategies, collect and share available resources, and build a professional community representing the entire Commonwealth, there is room for all interested educators and allies to participate. If you would like to be part of the collaboration and help lead innovation through STEM education, send an email to info@VaSTEMlearning.net .

Notes

1. Retrieved on July 28, 2015, NSF Employment in high-technology establishments as percentage of total employment, http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind14/index.cfm/state-data/map.htm?table=55 

2.  Retrieved on July 28, 2015, NSF Employment in high-technology establishments as percentage of total employment, http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind14/index.cfm/state-data/map.htm?table=55 1 Healy, Megan. Virginia STEM presentation. 19 Dec 2014 

3. Retrieved on July 28, 2015. http://www.washingtonexec.com/2013/05/us-chamber-of-commerce-ranks-virginia-1-in-stem-jobs-andamong-top-3-in-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/ 

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Amy Sabarre is a K-12 STEM Coordinator for Harrisonburg City Schools (asabarre@harrisonburg.k12.va.us) and founder of the Virginia STEM Learning Network.

 Jim Egenrieder is a STEM Education and Workforce Specialist in Arlington Public Schools also supporting Northern Virginia Community College STEM Outreach (Jim@STEMeducation.us).