NEW ORLEANS – STEM NOLA Powered by Entergy was recently selected to join the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, SLECoP at its 2019 Spring Convening held from April 3 through April 5, here in New Orleans. In a highly competitive process, STEM NOLA was named one of 15 new ecosystems selected to join the global movement devoted to dramatic improvement in how students learn. This means STEM NOLA will be in a stronger position to expand its impact without losing the consistent support that has been provided over the past 5 years.
Forming STEM ecosystems was listed as the No. 1 priority for STEM education in a December 2018 report by the Federal Office of Science and Technology Policy. To address this challenge, STEM Learning Ecosystems is building regional connections among educators, business and industry partners, afterschool and summer programs to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of the future. Each ecosystem connects to counterparts from across the country and world, enabling the exchange of best practices, information and resource-sharing.
The 15 ecosystems joining the SLECoP today bring the number to 85 total, with most in the United States but also extending to Canada, Mexico, Israel and Kenya. New ecosystems to join the SLECoP range from the entire states of Iowa, Texas, South Carolina and West Virginia to regions like Biloxi, MS, Broward County, FL, Central MA and Lincoln, NE.
“The ecosystems that we selected now have pulled together diverse partners who no longer accept the status quo in education; they want to see all students access high quality STEM education that will prepare them for life and work in the next century” said Jan Morrison, president and founding partner of TIES, the organization that operates the SLECoP.
“New Orleans is making great strides to offer the recommended rich, meaningful STEM education and experiences to our youth,” said Dr. Calvin Mackie, the founder and CEO of STEM NOLA. “As a recognized STEM Learning Ecosystem, we can tailor quality STEM learning opportunities to our specific needs in New Orleans while leveraging the experiences of similar alliances across the world."
New and tenured members of STEM NOLA led Greater New Orleans STEM Network (GNOSN) Ecosystem include:
- InspireNOLA Charter Schools
- New Beginnings Foundation Charter Schools
- New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC)
- City of New Orleans
- Entergy Corporation
- New Orleans East Hospital
- Ochsner Health System
- Access Health
- Boeing
- Chevron
- Propeller
- Urban League of Louisiana
- AT&T Louisiana
- K. Allen Consulting
- Doc Griggs Foundation
- WDSU Ch 6, Local NBC Affiliate
- The 1881 Institute of Technology
- United Way of Southeast Louisiana
- American Association for Blacks in Energy (New Orleans Chapter)
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- Southern University at New Orleans
- Elan Academy
- Boys Town
- Louisiana Children's Museum
- Friends of King Charter Schools
STEM NOLA is a non-profit 501c3 organization. The purpose of its existence is to grow future Innovators, Creators and Entrepreneurs through STEM inspiration, engagement, and exposure leading to 21st Century opportunities through a cradle to career pipeline.
