![Children participating in Creek Week in North Carolina making observations and recording data outdoors](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/splashy_hero_large/public/2023-11/Children%20participating%20in%20Creek%20Week%20in%20North%20Carolina%20making%20observations%20and%20recording%20data%202023.png?h=5a1c897e&itok=1m2vdY7O)
STEM Learning Ecosystems
Informal STEM learning is fun—and important.
Research shows that informal learning settings are particularly good at sparking interest and motivation to participate in STEM activities, and at helping learners develop an identity as someone who knows about and uses STEM. Both in and out of school, learners can practice scientific reasoning, use engineering design thinking, and understand fundamental STEM concepts.
![STEM Learning Ecosystem generalized example in context displaying the words culture, society and place](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/big_picture_large/public/2023-11/STEM%20Learning%20Ecosystem%20generalized%20example%20in%20context%2010-23-23%20FINAL%20culture-society-place.jpg?itok=37Cd7lkc)
STEM learning ecosystems create pathways for learners from initial interest through the development of an identity as a science learner, and, in some cases, pursuit of a STEM career.
![AZ state library building](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/pull_quote_small_cropped/public/2020-12/az%20state%20library.jpg?h=48737aea&itok=uOomb5es)
CHRIS GUERRA
Arizona State Library
Professional Learning Resources
![What are STEM Learning Ecosystem video Introductory title slide](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2024-04/What%20are%20STEM%20Learning%20Ecosystem%20video%20IntroTitle_WhatAre_thumbnail.png?itok=zAuTDZG0)
STEM Learning Ecosystems Videos
![STEM Learning Ecosystems project overview one-pager first page](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2024-06/STEM%20Learning%20Ecosystems%20project%20overview%20one-pager%206-4-24%20page%201.png?itok=pKL6LNwx)
STEM Learning Ecosystems Project Overview
![STEM Learning Ecosystem generalized example in context displaying the words culture, society and place](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2023-11/STEM%20Learning%20Ecosystem%20generalized%20example%20in%20context%2010-23-23%20FINAL%20culture-society-place.jpg?itok=DnQctARW)
STEM Learning Ecosystems Illustrations
![STEM Learning Ecosystems drawing activity with a pair of hands holding up a tree template drawing](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2024-04/STEM%20Learning%20Ecosystems%20drawing%20activity%20AJ%20cropped%20copy.png?h=f33d053f&itok=yZfMOSLK)
Depict Your Partnership
![What is Learning conversation starter photo card collage](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2024-04/what_is_learning_card_collage.png?itok=NlsftIKT)
What is Learning Conversation Starter
![STEM Learning Ecosystems postcard collage](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2024-05/STEM%20Learning%20Ecosystems%20postcard%20collage%20IMG_7212.jpg?h=894761f7&itok=J2Ns56Ji)
STEM Learning Ecosystems Postcard
![STEM Learning Ecosystems logo](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2022-04/%20STEMEcosystems_logo_V_color_3000px.png?itok=90MJ7PgO)
STEM Learning Ecosystems Project
![STEM Learning Ecosystems vertical color logo](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/2023-03/%20STEMEcosystems_logo_V_color_3000px.jpg?itok=SXIBQdBA)
STEM Learning Ecosystems Logos
More Resources
![STEM Ecosystems logo](/sites/default/files/styles/copy_50/public/2024-04/stemecosystems-logo.png?itok=oJ__-0WO)
- STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice (SLECoP) https://stemecosystems.org
- Find a STEM Learning Ecosystem map https://stemecosystems.org/ecosystems/
- Informalscience.org What Is a STEM Learning Ecosystem?
Collaboration Resources
![Families collaborating on a project](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2020-12/IMG_2366_0.jpg?h=52c83c0c&itok=WADVnUeo)
Collaborations
![Working with STEM Experts Guide cover including an image of expert puring a liquid and using a strainer with a girl and her family at a museum public event](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2021-10/Working%20with%20STEM%20Experts%20Guide%20cover%20including%20an%20image%20of%20expert%20%20puring%20a%20liquid%20and%20using%20a%20strainer%20with%20a%20girl%20and%20her%20family%20at%20a%20museum%20public%20event%20CREDIT%20Marbles%20Kids%20Museum%20CROPPED.jpg?h=cadc161d&itok=x4URpTlL)
Working with STEM Experts: A Guide for Educators in Museums and Other Informal Learning Settings
![Learners putting together a carbon nanotube model](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2020-12/development%20process-hero.jpg?h=c36801b4&itok=itCqUB1m)
Development Process
![cover of the collaboration guide on blue background](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large_cropped/public/2020-12/cg%201.jpg?h=683a6b95&itok=9E5QrTd2)
Museum & Community Partnerships: Collaboration Guide and additional resources
![Explore science zoom into nano logo in full color with leaf, atom, and Saturn logo](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/curated_list_large/public/kit_logo-zoomnano_copy.png?itok=TZpkHH2B)
Museum & Community Partnerships
![Diagram of a STEM Ecosystem showing the learner in the center surrounded by interconnection](https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/styles/big_picture_large/public/2020-12/NISE_ecosystem.jpg?itok=ekUZ90rU)
STEM learning ecosystems create pathways for learners from initial interest through the development of an identity as a science learner, and, in some cases, pursuit of a STEM career.