STEM Learning Ecosystems Grows to 111

The Ozarks STEAM Ecosystem- selected to join collaboration to create STEM opportunities for all.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA – The Ozarks STEAM Ecosystem (O-STEAM) was selected to join the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice (SLECoP) as one of nine new ecosystems admitted into the global movement of leaders devoted to advancing STEM learning opportunities for all. The announcement was made at the annual convening of the SLECoP May 1 to May 3 in Jacksonville, Fla.

“O-STEAM is thrilled to have been chosen to join the esteem STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice and are eager to learn from and contribute to the 110 other Ecosystems who are part of this initiative. This Partnership will allow O-STEAM the full access to all resources of this international association,” Deb Wilson Chairman. ”It doesn’t change what we have been doing the last nine and a half years, it just gives us a stronger influence with a very strategic and competent leader in STEM leadership.”

The other new ecosystems joining the SLECoP are the Riverside County Office of Education in California, Coastal Virginia STEM Hub (COVA STEM HUB), STEM Húsavík in Iceland, Learning Ecosystems Northeast in Maine, the statewide Alabama STEM Ecosystem, Central Susquehanna EcosySTEM in Pennsylvania, as well as ECOSTEM21 Nahariaת and ECOSTAEM21 Kiryat Shmona in Israel.

The Ozarks STEAM Ecosystem’s mission will continue to promote, drive, and showcase science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) throughout the entire Ozarks region. We showcase four pipelines: STEM Businesses/Industry/Manufacturing, PreK-12th grades, Higher Education, and Afterschool/Informal entities that have new patents, techniques, and/or procedures that demonstrate The Ozarks can stand on the STEM dashboard internationally. O-STEAM, is now part of a collective at the forefront of improving opportunity in education and workforce alignment.

“We are thrilled to welcome O-STEAM and the other 10 new Ecosystems, with their unique talents, lived experiences and resources to our Community of Practice,” said Judd Pittman, Chairman of the SLECoP’s Leadership Coordinating Council. “We know that they will learn from and grow with the existing communities expanding opportunities for more diverse scholars to realize the promise of a STEM career.”

O-STEAM was founded in 2013 by Deb Wilson, a retired educator from Springfield Public Schools. Deb has a passion for building a stronger connection, focus, collaboration, networking, and shared mission/vision for Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts, and Mathematics to showcase “The Ozarks” region (SW Missouri, NW Arkansas, NE Oklahoma, and NE Kansas) can stand on the STEM dashboard Internationally. Check out our website and social media (FB- O-STEAM, Twitter and Instagram- O_STEAM) platforms at https://www.osteam.org/ along with https://theozarks.makerfaire.com/

Now, with 111 individual ecosystems in more than 40 states across the U.S., as well as in Kenya, Israel, Mexico, Iceland and Canada, the SLECoP is a collective of thought leaders and innovators who understand thriving communities are built through collaboration among schools, institutions, businesses and industry.

STEM Learning Ecosystems, supported by TIES (https://www.tiesteach.org/) which serves as its backbone, unite community stakeholders across sectors who understand that communities thrive through a robust and competitive STEM workforce, and work to ensure all students are engaged STEM learners who are college and career-ready.

As the LC2’s Chairman, Pittman sees great promise in the new Ecosystems, and is eager to embrace their leadership and experience.

“The past few years have accelerated change, spotlighted educational disparities, and ignited new opportunities for reimaging educational systems,” Pittman said. “The Community of Practice is stronger than ever because of the collective power of diverse ideas from new and existing Ecosystems. Welcoming new, productive relationships are the cornerstone of a vibrant Community of Practice.”

The SLECoP has grown steadily since its inception in 2015, with new ecosystems joining the global initiative and working with one another to build meaningful connections among community partners, and to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of the future.

ABOUT THE SLECoP (STEM Learning Ecosystem Community of Practice)

The SLECoP is supported by numerous funders and partners, including the Amgen Foundation, the Broadcom Foundation, the Lemelson Foundation, the Qualcomm Foundation, the Steinman Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation and other foundations and businesses.

ABOUT THE OZARKS STEM ECOSYSTEM

O-STEAM’s visionary ALL VOLUNTEER Board- current board members are Mike Tyndall from Renegade Chemical in Springfield, Dennis Flattem- Associated Machinist in Monett, Dr. Tammy Janke- Dean of the Natural & Applied Science at Missouri State University, David Beach-Drury Univ, Dr. Jennifer Chastain- John Thomas School of Discovery in Nixa, Charles Lacy- Simmons Bank, Becky Baker- afterschool/informal education with MSU, and founder Deb Wilson-retired educator from SPS. Additional founding Board Members were Dr. Matt Pearce- Republic Superintendent and Dr. Kevin Kopp – Nixa Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education and District Operations. We obtained our 501(c)(3) in 2014 and that same year we received a $5,000 Grant from the Missouri Chamber to develop and organize, The S.T.E.A.M Summit. This brought together our four pipelines of focus- Business/Industry/Manufacturing, PreK-12th, Higher Education, and Afterschool/Informal entities to network on ways to propel and strengthen our STEAM initiative.

O-STEAM produces and spearheads the Ozarks Maker Faire, with the assistance from our community STEAM entities since 2015, showcases the STEM in our Daily Life quarterly meetings, developed Young MAKER Kits for elementary students, presents at Educational STEM conferences, and LOTS more coming in the future.

Find out more at https://www.osteam.org.

O-STEAM is a SERVICE Organization which strives to…

• Engage the public through a news and informational website with a regional Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) focus.

• Engage the public through events and speaking engagements on STEAM.

• Provide information ranging from regional cutting-edge businesses, PreK-20 education, afterschool/informal education, internships, and workforce opportunities with an entrepreneur fortitude and focus.

• Facilitate a collaborative effort in the community to inter-weave the benefits of STEAM along with a strong focus of entrepreneurship within the Ozarks region.

O-STEAM Ecosystem is currently preparing for our inaugural Fundraiser to grow our programs with our Partners to raise the bar and opportunities for ALL students who are our future workforce.

The Ozarks STEAM Ecosystem #STEAMifying #TheOzarks - working to promote & propel our #STEM & #STEAM community!

For additional information contact Deb Wilson at debwilson@osteam.org