Texas STEM Education Toolkit: Community Tools

Parent with kid looking at a computer screen.

 

The Texas Education Agency has developed tools to help districts engage with families through STEM Education programming and build awareness throughout the community by expanding learning beyond the classroom.

STEM Toolkit Instructional Video: Tips for Community Involvement in STEM

(Transcript)

Please take a moment to provide feedback on the Community Tools.

Purpose of the Tool:

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Family Companion Guide is for caregivers, anyone who plays a parenting role, and anyone who believes children and teens deserve the best future. This guide was designed to communicate to families what STEM is, address common STEM questions and myths, and help navigate educational decisions along the path from elementary to STEM careers.

STEM Family Companion Guide (PDF)

La Guía Familiar STEM (Ciencas, Technología, Ingeniería y Matematicás) para el Proveedor de Cuidados (PDF)

Purpose of the Tool:

A PK-20 STEM continuum is used as an alignment tool for a district’s STEM experiences. The purpose of this sample continuum is to provide examples of experiences that could take place at each grade level. The continuum includes an ecosystem approach with informal and formal STEM educational experiences, STEM focused family events, and incorporates STEM stakeholders from a diverse group including STEM non-profits, STEM business/industry, STEM military programs, and institutes of higher education.

Sample PK-20 STEM Experience Continuum (PDF)

Purpose of the Tool:

The Family Engagement tool provides districts with information to consider when hosting or planning a STEM event for families. The tool also provides ideas to engage families in STEM opportunities provided at school and opportunities that can take place out of school.

Family Engagement Ideas (PDF)

Purpose of the Tool:

Students benefit from the expertise and authentic STEM experiences provided by PK-12 STEM educators, administrators, families, informal STEM education organizations, post-secondary partners, and industry partners. The following list of STEM engagement ideas provides examples of how Texas EcosySTEM members can work together as a community to engage with PK-12 students for the purpose of developing and strengthening the STEM pipeline.

Ecosystem Engagement Checklist (PDF)

Purpose of the Tool:

The STEM Event Planning Guide is a tool that can be used to assist in the planning and implementation of STEM events in a variety of settings. The guide provides an overview of considerations for planning a STEM Event. This is a general guide for STEM event planning and will need to be adapted for specific events and formats.

STEM Event Planning Guide (PDF)