Who is PA SEED?
STEM Learning Ecosystems provide the architecture for cross-sector learning, offering all young people access to rich learning environments in order to develop STEM skills and to engage in science, technology, engineering, and math from preschool through university. Strong STEM Learning Ecosystems feature dynamic collaborations among schools, out-of-school time programs, STEM Expert Institutions (such as science centers and museums, institutions of higher education, and STEM professional organizations), the private sector, community-based organizations, youth, and families. A learning ecosystem harnesses the unique contributions of all of these different settings to deliver STEM learning for all children.
The PA SEED region is home to 2.5 million people, 100 colleges and universities, 200 private schools, 9 career and technical high schools, and 62 school districts comprised of 485 schools and over 300,000 students.
Creating a Regional Community of Practice
OUR
STORY
A Collaborative Initiative
PA STEM Experiences for Equity and Diversity (SEED) Ecosystem is a collaborative between school districts, libraries, Intermediate Units, post-secondary institutions, and environmental education centers along with growing public/private partnerships like those forged with the United Way, Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) and Corbett, Incorporated. The STEM Learning Ecosystem spans four counties and is focused on collectively leveraging resources to ensure all students in the region have robust STEM experiences P-20.
With over 300,000 STEM related jobs in Pennsylvania by 2018, 17,000 vacant computer science jobs, and employers clamoring for a workforce that has problem solving communication, and computational thinking skills the STEM Learning Ecosystem will help generate STEM pathways for students.
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Intermediate Units build the foundation for the STEM Ecosystem. The Intermediate Units’ experience providing professional learning across the continuum of school professionals along with technical assistance from district to classroom level allows for an understanding of the opportunities within the region. With over 25 private, NGO, and/or philanthropic partners, 15 post-secondary partners and support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education the Intermediate Units collectively offer a suite of STEM educational services that act as the foundation for a STEM Learning Ecosystem.
2017
JAN
Regional interest is established.
2017
FEB
Core team researches and writes the STEM Ecosystem application.
MAY
2017
Ecosystem designation is awarded and the executive planning team is formed.
SEPT
2017
First PA SEED Ecosystem Leadership Council Meeting is held.
MAY
2018
Inaugural PA SEED Days held across the region!
WHO DOES PA SEED SERVE?
People
in the PA SEED region
School Districts
(485 Schools with over 300,000 students)
Private Schools
in the PA SEED region
Career & Technical Education High Schools
in the PA SEED region
Colleges
in the PA SEED region
IN THIS TOGETHER
The PA SEED Ecosystem is proud to work alongside these peer systems across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
