ASU Hosts STEM Learning Ecosystems and Community Partnership Meeting - Debuts “What Values Do You Share” Conversation Starter Cards

Christina Leavell, Arizona State University
A group sits around a table, smiling, while reviewing many cards scattered across the top.

In August 2025, Arizona State University (ASU), in partnership with NASA's Science Activation program and the NISE Network, hosted the STEM Learning Ecosystems and Community Partnership meeting in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This day-and-a-half long meeting brought together a number of individuals representing NASA Science Activation projects and STEM Learning Ecosystems from across the nation. Focused on partnerships to engage learners in NASA Earth and space science, the meeting specifically looked at intentional, place-focused STEM learning ecosystems that are designed to engage all learners. During the meeting, one of the NISE Network's latest resources, the What Values Do You Share? conversation starter cards were introduced and received by meeting participants with enthusiasm and positivity.

Four individuals sit at the front of a room in discussion, as a group sitting around a table listens.
Two individuals have a conversation while standing in front of a poster on an easel. The poster reads "Smoky Mountain STEM Collaborative"
An individual stands at a podium next to a projection screen, they gesture as they address a group sitting around multiple tables.

 

The meeting was a great opportunity to learn about localized work to engage specific communities in STEM, while learning from practitioners belonging to a variety of different regions and organizations. Participants included individuals from both formal and informal education, from cultural and education institutions, community organizations, government agencies, and more. During the meeting, participants engaged with thoughtful plenaries, small group discussion, facilitated conversations, and hands-on activities for public and professional use. A variety of concurrent sessions touched topics such as co-creation, belonging, sustainable partnerships, community art projects, citizen and community science, as well as authentic STEM learning with NASA assets. In addition, the meeting included a two-part showcase that gave participants access to a variety of resources, information, and contacts available to facilitate in this work. Participants could share their own resources during the showcase, if they desired, while still having a chance to see and learn from the work of others during the second half of the showcase.

An individual sits at a table with others, there are colorful cards scattered across the table and a sign next to her reading "What Values Do You Share?"

 

 

Colorful cards lay scattered on a white table cloth.

One of the resources shared during the meeting was the NISE Network's new What Values Do You Share? conversation starter cards. Designed to spark discussions around shared values among collaborators, the activity invites individuals in a group to choose one value card that relates to their collaborative efforts and then talk about why this value is important. Once everyone has shared, additional prompts provide an opportunity to reflect, to consider what values are important personally, professionally, and to their community. The activity demonstrates how successful collaborations are grounded in values and how values shape the behavior and decision-making of an organization or collaborative group. By explicitly discussing these values, groups can better define their goals and strengthen their relationships.

 

Individuals stand around a table that has colorful cards scattered across.

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Large group photo of participants in the STEM Learning Ecosystems Meeting.