The North Texas STEM+ Ecosystem, a collaborative initiative dedicated to expanding access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for K–12 learners, has been launched by 15 leading education, nonprofit, and industry organizations across the region.

“North Texas STEM+ Ecosystem represents exactly the kind of regional transformation we’re working to support nationwide,” Jenny Frank, director, STEM Ecosystems, TIES, said in an announcement. “They demonstrate the collaborative spirit that drives meaningful change in STEM education and the power of united community action in advancing STEM opportunities for all learners.”

The organizations said the plus sign (+) in the name signifies learning domains that are related to STEM, including medicine, data science, environmental science, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and the arts.

Participants and background

Shown are representatives from the North Texas STEM+ Ecosystem’s partners, including Trinity River Audubon Center, The GEMS Camp, Bold Idea, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Girlstart, talkSTEM, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, T-Mobile for Education, and Dallas Afterschool. [Photo: North Texas STEM+ Ecosystem]

The Ecosystem was established earlier this year by a coalition of 15 founding members who share a vision of building equitable STEM+ opportunities for all learners. The organizations are:

• Bold Idea
• Dallas Afterschool
• Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
• Dallas Zoo
• DFW Alliance of Technology and Women
• Frontiers of Flight Museum
• Girlstart
• Independence Gardens
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science
• T-Mobile for Education
• talkSTEM
• Texas Woman’s University
• Texas Wildlife Association
• The GEMS Camp
• Trinity River Audubon Center

Exploring STEM opportunities across North Texas

North Texas STEM+ Ecosystem has a mission to open doors to comprehensive cradle-to-career STEM+ pathways. It launches to serve one of America’s fastest-growing regions, collectively impacting more than 625,000 K–12 students and supporting more than 2,700 educators across multiple North Texas counties.

“By working collectively with community partners, we can build a range of pathways that empower the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers in North Texas,” said Saki Milton, founder and executive director of The GEMS Camp.

The new ecosystem organization places an emphasis on increasing accessible STEM+ learning opportunities for students from rural, suburban, and urban populations.

Robyn Brown, founder and CEO of Bold Idea, said in a statement that “as a computer science education provider, Bold Idea is deeply aligned with the Ecosystem’s mission to open access to STEM+ opportunities for all K–12 learners.”

From field trips to nature exploration and more

Girlstart Executive Director Shane Woods said she recognizes that a strong foundation in STEM subjects can strongly impact a student’s future career.

“Our collective goal is to ensure that every student, in every community, has the opportunity to explore the broader STEM+ landscape, including out-of-school time experiences, school field trips, and exploring museums and nature centers with friends and family,” Woods said.

Rosalie Wade, director of education at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, said the initiative will create more opportunities.

“Collectively educating the public about the multitude of opportunities that are available to them is a passion of ours at the museum,” she said. “We can remove boundaries by working together, educating the future stewards of our planet Earth, and creating a better place for youth to thrive in.”

The launch aims to bring “a faster pace” to collaboration.

“talkSTEM’s mission to make STEM learning engaging for all learners has been powered by community collaboration over the past decade,” Koshi Dhingra, Ed.D, founder and CEO of talkSTEM, said in a statement. “Formalizing these relationships through the launch of a North Texas STEM+Ecosystem, a member of the national STEM Ecosystem will set an entirely new and accelerated pace of work. It allows us to move from being friendly with each other to being collaborators committed to common goals. That will show in our outcomes!” 

Dallas Afterschool CEO Marjorie Murat said her nonprofit “is honored to be part of the North Texas STEM+ Ecosystem, building pathways that prepare the next generation of innovators. By expanding access to STEM opportunities, we are equipping students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they’ll need in tomorrow’s workforce and shaping a future where all young people can thrive.”

Part of a global STEM learning network

The North Texas STEM+ Ecosystem has been accepted into the STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice, a global professional learning network comprising more than 100 ecosystems worldwide.

The North Texas STEM+ Ecosystem will be recognized formally at the organization’s annual convening in Washington, D.C. this month, connecting the region with an international community of education, nonprofit, philanthropy, and industry leaders who are sharing best practices and resources to strengthen STEM+ education systems.

Launched at an international conference in Denver in 2015, the STEM Learning Ecosystems Initiative & Community of Practice fosters collaboration across education, business, industry, nonprofit, and philanthropy sectors to ensure learners have access to high-quality STEM opportunities. Organizers said that by connecting in-school and out-of-school initiatives and cultivating STEM-rich environments in a variety of community settings, STEM Learning Ecosystems provide seamless pathways from early education through career development.

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