Blueprint document: Toward a statewide Virginia STEM Network

STEM literacy is critical to workforce development and to an educated citizenry. Virginia has many points of pride in STEM education and is posed to accelerate STEM opportunities for all of its citizens.

We propose the Commonwealth of Virginia launch a statewide STEM Network that strengthens our existing collaborations, cultivates new strategic partnerships, and ensures that all Virginians can access the activities, relationships, and tools that will equip them with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for the future.

Three keys for success

• Active promotion of equity, access, and inclusion
• Collaboration across regions and sectors
• Sustainable infrastructure

Seven strategic recommendations

• Seek consensus on “quality STEM” in terms relevant to this network
• Build culture of STEM awareness with a focus on equity, accessibility, and inclusion
• Develop an accessible and thorough inventory of Virginia STEM activities
• Support sustainable network infrastructure
• Advance a communication plan
• Embed an evaluation plan that ensures annual assessment of network activities and operations
• Commit to long-term support and sustainability