Q: What is a STEM Learning Ecosystem?

STEM Learning Ecosystems (SLEs) are made up of cross-sector partners from a variety of sectors who come together to work for shared goals and gains around STEM, with focused attention on preparing learners to meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow. SLEs  typically include partners from K-12, higher education, government, business and industry, philanthropy, out-of-school providers and others. TIES supports new and existing STEM Learning Ecosystems with planning, design, implementation training and sustainability strategies for 110+ STEM Learning Ecosystems globally.

 

Q: What is STEM SAIL?

TIES, the operator of the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, is partnering with the Ohio Department of Education and others, including the New Growth Group, to build stronger understandings of STEM needs in the state and to construct new STEM Ecosystems.The initiative, STEM SAIL: OHIO, is intended to strengthen, accelerate and ignite learning by advancing students’ exposure to and engagement with high quality STEM at all levels.

 

Q: Who is funding the effort?

STEM SAIL: OHIO is coordinated by TIES and funded by the State of Ohio with ESSER III federal funds.

 

Q: Who can apply to become a new SLE?

STEM Learning Ecosystems are characterized by cross-sector collaborations of partners. Those communities who are most ready to form a new SLE will be invited to a virtual meeting for further conversation with the STEM SAIL team.

 

Q: What can the new SLEs expect?

The new STEM Learning Ecosystems will be receiving both technical assistance as well as seed funding to help launch the work.

 

Q: What will be expected of the new Ecosystems?

Ecosystems are expected to:

• Attend virtual bi-weekly meetings of the Ohio STEM Learning Ecosystems.
• Work closely with TIES to design, stand up and operate a STEM Learning Ecosystem, following a series of pre-determined processes and steps that have been established by TIES.
• Collaborate with at least one other ecosystem on a STEM project to bring to their communities.  
• Share their work with other STEM Learning Ecosystems and new Ecosystems that will be selected to join the STEM SAIL: Ohio initiative.
• Compile stories about their work to share with the STEM SAIL: Ohio community. 
• Reach out to Ohio STEM Learning Network Hub Directors, as well as other regional partners, to identify points of collaboration.
• Complete quarterly reports about their work and activities.
  • December 31, 2023
  • March 31, 2024
  • June 30, 2024
• Complete an annual executive summary of work for their first year of existence.
• Create a sustainability plan for future years. 
• Participate in STEM SAIL: Ohio meetings, both virtual and in-person, throughout the time period of Nov. 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

 

Q: How many entities can apply?

SLEs are collaborative in nature and we encourage applications coordinated among representatives from K-12, higher education, business and industry, government, out-of-school time providers, philanthropy and others. However, only one application will be accepted per community.

 

Q: What are the deadlines?

The Request for Applications opens Sept. 1 and the form is posted below. Applications are due by 5 p.m., Sept. 22.

 

Q: Where can I find more information?

An informational webinar is available for viewing through the STEM SAIL: OHIO site. If you have additional questions, please reach out to ellenmarrison@tiesteach.org and those questions will be uploaded and answered in this FAQ. All questions must be received by Sept. 20 at 5 p.m.

 

Q: What happens after I apply?

Those communities who are most ready to form a new SLE will be invited to a virtual meeting for further conversation with the STEM SAIL team.

 

Q: Is it better to apply as a single community, or as a regional approach, which would include surrounding counties?

We believe you will be in the best position to answer this question. If workforce needs are more regional and you believe there will be strong and practical ways of aligning to those with a regional approach, we urge you to consider that route.

 

Q: I did not see a funding amount, only that seven would be funded. Can you give an idea of what we are applying for?

The exact amount will not be determined until we know how many new STEM Learning Ecosystems will be admitted. We believe that the amount of funding offered to each will be in the vicinity of $30,000 as a one-time payment.

 

Q: Do we have to have all of our potential partners identified, or can we add partners after we are funded?

It is to your advantage to demonstrate your current strength with existing partnerships, but you may certainly bring on additional partners whenever it makes sense for your STEM Learning Ecosystem.

 

Q: After the seven are identified, will there be some refinement or a secondary application, or will it be based on the RFA?

There are no current plans for a secondary application and the RFA for the State of Ohio, but any community may apply to be a part of the global STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice.

 

Q: Does there need to be a lead organization for the Ecosystem or can it be a collaboration?

It can be a collaboration. Our experience leading the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice has turned up evidence that a single lead organization is often most effective, however.

 

Q: Is it possible to get more information on the application process?

In addition to the Informational Webinar and FAQs, the full application is available by clicking on the button in the Request for Application form box below. We also invite applicants to learn more about the national STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice at stemecosystems.org.

 

Q: I was also wondering if there is additional information on the grant plan, could that be shared too?

The funding flows to the newly emerging Ecosystems will be customized to those who are selected, but we believe that the amount of funding offered to each will be in the vicinity of $30,000 as a one-time payment. Please also see the above Q&A: What will be expected of the new Ecosystem?

 

Q: Will there be additional opportunities to apply to become (or join, if a local entity opts to submit an application) a STEM Learning Ecosystem in the future?

Communities are always welcome to apply to join the national STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice, which you can learn more about here. This RFA is a special opportunity for communities in Ohio to become a STEM Learning Ecosystem, with additional support from the one-time funding to help establish the Ecosystem. Also, established Ecosystems are always welcome to seek new collaborations in their communities.

 

Q: We were discussing the $30,000 and what exactly could the funds be used for if selected as an Ecosystem? Also, sustaining the Ecosystem; how have those that are established continued their sustainability?

The $30,000 in funding is an estimate and will be varied depending on the needs of each new Ecosystem. The funds will flow before June 2024 to help the Ecosystems institute the main components of Future Forward Ohio and promote innovative evidenced-based approaches to accelerate learning for all students. Sustainability is a high priority and once we work together in designing the Ecosystem, the use of the funding will be clarified.

 

Q: What is the STEM-on-the-Go Van?

In partnership with RTI and the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC), TIES operates the STEM-on-the-GO Mobile Digital Fabrication/Machining Van. The van is available for the 2022-2023 school year to provide hands-on STEM experiences to students. During the van’s visit to a school, the students will be engaged in solving real-world STEM challenges using the Engineering Design Process while learning how to use design software and the digital fabrication and machining equipment in the van. Pre-designed STEM experiences are grade-level appropriate, customized for students in grades K-12, and facilitated by the STEM-on-the-Go Mobile Fabrication Lab Manager who is a Marine Corps veteran with a B.A. in Middle School Education from the University of North Carolina.

Watch the STEM-on-the-Go Van video

 

Q: What technologies are on the van?

The Van is a Ford E450 box van equipped with Digital Fabrication and Machining equipment.  Including a laser cutter, 3D printer, CNC router, band saw, MIG welder, lathe, grinder and other hand tools.  See the full Van Fact list here.

 

Q: Can the STEM-on-the-Go Van visit my school?

The van is available to schools, districts, and communities to provide hands-on STEM experiences. Customized visits, from one-day to two weeks are aimed at opening students’ and educators’ eyes to digital fabrication technology, the Engineering Design Process, and STEM careers.  Fill out this form and we will contact you!

 

Q: What kind of activities will students be doing in the STEM-on-the-Go Van?

Each visit is customized to the school, but activities range from using a laser cutter to create wooden gliders to 3D printing custom symbols or designing a logo for your school.   Students will be able to see how the machines work and be able to engage with at least one technology while completing a project. Explore the range of possible projects here.

 

Q: What are the costs associated with bringing the STEM-on-the-Go Van to my school?

Costs are dependent on the length of the visit, school details, and travel expenses incurred.

 

Q: What aged students can visit the van?

The STEM-on-the-Go Van is ready to work with students K-12 in a formal education setting and can adapt to work with students and adults for a community visit.

Students in grades 4 and up will be able to engage in all aspects of the STEM-on-the-Go Van’s activities.  Students in grades 2-3 will complete a light version of the activities and students in grades K-1 will do an exposure activity.

 

Q: How many students can visit the van at a time?

One class of students should visit the van at once. No more than 30 students can visit the Van at any time.  The smaller the number of students, the more involved the visit will be.  It may be beneficial for some larger classes to split into two groups, if possible.

Only 4 students will be allowed into the van at once to see how the machines and technologies work.  The other students will be working at tables and stations set up outside the van.

 

Q: Is the van accessible?

The van has a front door with two steps and a back door with a wheelchair lift that is accessible for those with disabilities.  The STEM-on-the-Go team will do its best to ensure all students can access the van and see the technologies inside.

 

Q: Who should go out with the students to the van?

The classroom teacher MUST come out to the van with their class.   A substitute teacher is not sufficient.   Other adults may join the class if they would like such as paraprofessional, aids or parent volunteers

*please note that the adults are there to help supervise and assist with small tasks and should not expect to complete any projects

 

Q: Who runs the activities in the van?

All STEM programming is led by Mike Harris, the Mobile Fabrication Lab Manager.  Mike is a Marine Corps veteran with a B.A. in Middle School Education from the University of North Carolina.  There may be additional partners or helpers.

 

Q: How long are the students out at the van?

Each class will be scheduled for one to three periods of time depending on the activity they are working on, their grade level, the length of the schools’ class periods and what type of visit the school has scheduled. 

 

Q: Where should I bring my students?

Please look over the schedule you were sent for your school’s visit.  Please be ready with your class at the nearest door to the van as close to your scheduled time as possible.   We want to make sure every student has a full experience, so we need to stick to the time schedule as closely as we can.

 

Q: What should my students bring with them?

For most visits, students do not need to bring anything with them to the STEM-on-the-Go Van, but each activity is different and customized so this may change.  For example, some activities may require students to complete a short worksheet before the Van visit and bring it out with them.

 

Q: Do students need a permission slip?

The STEM-on-the-Go Van is considered by most schools as an ‘on-site field trip’  and therefore students will need a permission slip signed to participate and have their photos taken by the STEM-on-the-Go team.   If a student does not have permission to have their photo taken it is the teacher’s responsibility to indicate that by putting a paper bracelet on the student.

 

Q: What happens if it rains?

If the weather is not cooperative – rain, cold or excessive heat – students may need to stay indoors for the bulk of the activity.  This means they may be constructing objects in a classroom and just going out to the van for a few minutes to see how the machines work-  they should be prepared with a jacket if necessary.

If the weather is very bad –  heavy rain or snow or excessive cold – the visit may need to be rescheduled.