SEARCH RESULTS

RESEARCH THOUGHT LEADERS Our Research Thought Leaders are nationally known educators and researchers who integrate creative and innovative thinking with learning in the sciences, arts, and cognition. They represent both K-12 (formal) and Out-of-School Time (informal) learning. The Innovation Collaborative’s ongoing conversations with these Thought Leaders provide the deep underpinning of our work. This partnership not only stimulates Collaborative research about learning at the intersections of these disciplines but also informs the Thought Leaders’ work. Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman Founder and Chief Director of the Center for BrainHealth and Dee Wyly Distinguished Professor of BrainHealth, University of Texas, Dallas Dr. Rob Horowitz Executive Director ArtsResearch Associate Director Center for Arts Education Research Teachers College, Columbia University Dr. Bonnie Cramond Professor of Educational Psychology, Gifted and Creative Education, at the University of Georgia, and the former Director of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development, researches the assessment and development of creativity Dr. Bob Root-Bernstein Professor Emeritus, Department of Physiology, Michigan State University Rochelle Darville Fulbright and NSTA Awardee High School Science Teacher West St. John High School, Edgard, Louisiana Dr. Jean Ryoo Director of Research, Computer Science Equity Project, University of California Los Angeles Center X

RESEARCH THOUGHT LEADERS CONVENING The Innovation Collaborative’s Research Thought Leaders provide the Collaborative depth in education scholarship and leadership. While the Thought Leaders meet virtually with the Collaborative both individually and collectively, they also convened in person with Collaborative members in Washington, DC on November 30-December 1, 2016. This convening was made possible by a generous National Endowment for the Arts Art Works grant, by the National Writing Project, which facilitated the grant, and by the National Museum of Women in the Arts, which provided the facilities and staff for the meeting. The Collaborative is making ongoing and extensive use of all that it learned in this convening. The Thought Leaders are continuing their input as the Collaborative’s plans move forward. Successes of this convening include: Developing a cohort of leading researchers from a variety of disciplines who can converse, plan, and share enthusiasm about interdisciplinary learning Revising the Collaborative’s rubric to even more deeply reflect the importance of the intersections of the arts, STEM, and humanities to promote creative and innovative thinking, in addition to cross-disciplinary learning Revising the Collaborative’s goals, strategies, and research methodologies to significantly strengthen its work.

WHY IS RESEARCH-BASED STEAM IMPORTANT? The Workforce and Innovative Thinking Nationally recognized researchers, educators, businesses, and governmental studies state that the United States’ future in the global economy could be significantly impacted by how well today’s students learn to think innovatively. STEAM Rapidly Expanding The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) movement is expanding exponentially in a variety of venues. It has been demonstrated that STEAM can help promote these important creative and innovative thinking skills. SEAD Research Documented the Need The Innovation Collaborative is an outcome of the National Science Foundation-funded SEAD (Science, Engineering, Arts, Design) network and initiatives, which were co-organized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Science Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. An analysis of the 55 SEAD white papers submitted by university science and arts practitioners internationally showed that there is a significant need for research and advocacy in the wide variety of arts/STEM learning applications. Lack of Data on Effective Practices However, research also has demonstrated that there is a great lack of significant data documenting the impact of STEAM in a variety of learning settings. Anecdotal Evidence Shows Success Anecdotal evidence shows the success of these strategies in promoting important thinking skills, but research is needed to document what practitioners are seeing. How Important Are the Results? The practices that are effective in delivering creative and innovation thinking skills in today’s students and adults are vital in developing a workforce that can innovate. WHAT HAS THE COLLABORATIVE DONE TO ADDRESS THIS NEED? K-12 Effective Practices The Collaborative conducted research for 6 years to determine the most effective practices that delivered these important creative and innovative thinking skills in concert with mandated content learning in STEAM teacher/administrator professional development and classroom implementation. This research is the first effort by a coalition of national institutions. Based on input from the research and from experts in all disciplines, a comprehensive set of criteria has been identified, and statistically validated rubrics have been developed. These findings are now driving the Collaborative’s national STEAM Teacher/Administrator Professional Development. Out-of-School Time Effective Practices The Collaborative, in partnership with Texas Southern University , studied STEAM in Out-of-School Time nationally in a two-year project funded by the National Science Foundation. 70 leading STEAM researchers and practitioners from across the U.S. and also from Canada and Germany determined where the Out-of-School Time field is and where it needs to head next. This will be presented in the project’s Final Report. Who Are the Advisors? One of the strengths of the Innovation Collaborative is its cadre of nationally and internationally recognized researchers who serve as very active advisors for all our work. Known as Research Thought Leaders, they help provide the foundation for our research and all the work that we do. There are additional advisory teams of experts and practitioners from all disciplines helping strengthen the research and practice in K-12 and Out-of-School Time Learning.

The Innovation Collaborative serves as a national forum to foster creativity, innovation, and lifelong learning. We identify and disseminate information about the many ways that effective integration of the arts, sciences, humanities, engineering, and the use of technology reinforce teaching and incorporate lifelong learning in both in-school (formal) and out-of-school (informal) settings. ABOUT Mission: The Innovation Collaborative serves as a national forum to foster creativity, innovation, and lifelong learning. It identifies and disseminates information about the many ways that effective integration of the arts, sciences, humanities, engineering, and the use of technology reinforces teaching and incorporates lifelong learning in both in-school (formal) and out-of-school (informal) settings. Goals : The Innovation Collaborative promotes creativity and innovation in diverse audiences, advances knowledge, and positively shapes education practice through research, effective practices, policy, and convening. History : The Innovation Collaborative is an outcome of the SEAD (Sciences, Engineering, Arts, and Design) Network. The SEAD Network is a community of advocates for the importance and value of research and creative work across the arts and sciences. Council : Governance for the Innovation Collaborative includes a national advisory council, which serves as a think-tank, and a working group that carries out the recommendations of the larger council. Partners: Discover what organizations are partnering with the Innovation Collaborative. JOIN US! Help us support teaching and learning in the arts, sciences, and humanities! To learn more, contact us at info@innovationcollaborative.org . JOIN

The Innovation Collaborative's archived newsletters, which contain lessons and research by thought leaders, advisory council members, and K-12 educators, are available to members who create an account on the website. Load More

CHILDREN'S STEM BOOKS: REDEFINING STEM LITERATURE By Juliana Texley, former NSTA President, a Collaborative Board Member, and member of the NSTA committee evaluating the Best STEM Books National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) holds an annual competition at the intersections of STEM and humanities. It looks for the most interesting children’s books that promot important creative and inventive thinking skills in STEM areas. Below is a description of that competition and the results. Children learn best when they are exploring authentic problems that are relevant to them and their communities. But today, children have less freedom to explore. For 45 years, the National Science Teachers Association and the Children’s Book Council have worked together to identify the most Outstanding Science Trade Books for young scientists. But in the past few years, new questions have emerged. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are subjects in themselves. But STEM is more than that: it is a creative state of mind. STEM is naturally integrated, and includes arts, social studies and any other realm in which young learners can ask questions and solve problems. So, last year NSTA convened a panel of technology, engineering, mathematics and science educators to redefine what the Best STEM Books might look like. Their conclusion: Subject matter content didn’t really matter. What was important was creativity, divergent thinking and the spirit of invention. STEM thinking might involve science or mathematics, but it might equally involve social studies or the arts. A year of discussions resulted in a rubric. Publishers were invited to send books that illustrate an integrated approach to STEM thinking. In 2016, out of about 350 submissions, the panel identified about two dozen books that illustrated how creativity and ingenuity could work. The list included books about inventors, artists, and architects. It included stories about stubborn young “makers” and a crafty pirate with a plan! STEM had become not a collection of subjects, but a state of mind. To see the list of books selected for the first year, click here In 2017, over 330 books were submitted and reviewed by a joint committee. Twenty-two books were selected for national recognition. They included music, architecture, art, and even coding skills without words or computers – all representing the best in integration. See them here .

The Innovation Collaborative is a national transdisciplinary forum to foster universal creativity and innovation in teaching and learning.​ ​The Innovation Collaborative provides information about how effective intersections of the arts, sciences, humanities, engineering, math, and technology (STEAM) can reinforce innovative thinking. OUR MISSION & PURPOSE The Innovation Collaborative is a national transdisciplinary forum to foster universal creativity and innovation in teaching and learning. The Innovation Collaborative provides information about how effective intersections of the arts, sciences, humanities, engineering, math, and technology (STEAM) can reinforce innovative thinking. To that end, it identifies, conducts, and disseminates research. By supporting teaching and lifelong learning, the Collaborative encourages networking and collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and individuals in both in-school (formal) and out-of-school (informal) settings and at the intersections of the two. VISION We envision a society where: INDIVIDUALS & INSTITUTIONS Have an integrated view of the arts, sciences, humanities, engineering, math, and technology (STEAM); and Look at the world creatively and innovatively; and Identify and solve important problems, from the local to global scale. EDUCATION Is an integrated system that addresses cultural, disciplinary, and institutional boundaries; and Employs seamless transdisciplinary learning and effective problem-solving experiences in all cultures; and Engages, empowers, and prepares students for lifelong learning, career, and civic engagement. GOALS IMPROVING PRACTICE COLLABORATION POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION To promote and share research about the many ways that the intersections of the arts, sciences, humanities, engineering, math, and technology (STEAM) promote creative and innovative thinking in all audiences and demographics. To create opportunities for all individuals and institutions to convene and share in interdisciplinary conversations, collaborations, and experiences that lead to a shared vocabulary, a common understanding of the value of these intersections, and an appreciation for their applications. To identify shared beliefs among individuals and institutions regarding the importance of the arts, STEM, and humanities (STEAM) intersections in teaching and learning, resulting in a policy agenda and individual policy statements that form the foundation of collective efforts.

INSTITUTIONS Representatives from the following institutions, schools, and school districts work together to promote the Innovation Collaborative’s goals. Arts Research, Teachers College of Columbia University Association of Science – Technology Centers (ASTC) Boston College California State University, Northridge, California (CSUN) Centre School, Hampton, NH Chibitronics Colorado State University Croton Harmon Union Free School District, Croton-On-Hudson, NY Dakota Wesleyan University Design for America Drexel University Framingham Public Schools, Framingham, MA George Mason University ICEE Success Foundation (ICEE) Latinitas Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, California LV Hightower High School, Ft. Bend, TX Marion County School District, Columbia, MS MassArt Matchmaker Education Labs Melissa ISD, Melissa TX Memphis, TN, City Schools Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Tennessee National Art Education Association (NAEA) National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Northside Elementary, Angleton, Texas Northern Illinois University Prince William County Public Schools, VA Smithsonian Science Education Center Starmont Elementary, Arlington, Iowa Spitzberg Advisors STEAM Collaborative Texas Southern University The Journey Begins University of California, Irvine University of Georgia University of South Carolina University of Texas, Austin University of Texas at Dallas University of Texas at Dallas Center for BrainHealth University of Waterloo University of Wisconsin – Madison Warner Girls Leadership Academy, Cleveland, Ohio Wolf Trap, Institute for Early Learning through the Arts

BECOME A MEMBER! JOIN NOW! The Innovation Collaborative is helping elevate the way that students think and learn in school and out of school. The Collaborative is a coalition of national science, technology, engineering, arts, humanities, math (STEAM) and higher education organizations. It promotes the arts, sciences and humanities intersections in all student learning settings. It focuses on research, effective practices in learning settings, policy, and convening. The Collaborative is conducting the first national research to determine effective practices that promote creative and innovative thinking at the intersections of these disciplines in K-12 out-of-school settings. Join us in making a difference! Why Should You Be a Part of These Efforts? Neuroscience shows: That there is great value to an integrated approach to learning. By creating a synergy between diverse educational institutions, we can provide greater service to education. You can be a part of this exciting movement. Research counts: The Collaborative’s approach offers unique opportunities to evaluate and disseminate good practice that are not available within a single discipline. You can receive up-to-date information about new developments. We also welcome members’ input. Membership offers: A unique opportunity to be part of a cutting-edge network of individuals and institutions. Member Benefits Collaborative membership is a great value! Access to others working nationally at the STEAM intersections via connections through the Collaborative Priority access to Collaborative webinars Updates on breaking STEAM news Contribution $25/year, July 1 – June 30 For individuals only

STEAM POSITION In its position as a national STEAM education trailblazer, the Innovation Collaborative has adopted a position on STEAM education. This position was thoughtfully developed by a team of Collaborative leaders representing arts, sciences, and humanities institutions, with continuous input by all Collaborative members across disciplines and learning settings. THE INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE'S POSITION ON STEAM EDUCATION STEAM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math) is an approach to education that promotes student-led explorations driven by curiosity and the application of competencies and practices across disciplines that can effectively prepare them for success in education and the 21st century workforce. This approach includes but is not limited to: Observing the world, asking questions, and visualizing solutions Developing the mindset of interdependence among the disciplines for deeper understanding and synthesizing Creatively problem-solving Collaborating in and across the disciplines Persisting through explorations and innovation using multiple perspectives Evaluating and communicating ideas Critically reflecting Assuring that all student populations have equitable access to STEAM education benefits. We are offering a fresh way of looking at arts integration as transdisciplinary where it goes beyond the separated approaches informing each other to the infusion of skills, practices, and knowledge through the simultaneous experience of the various disciplines. Transdisciplinary approaches allow for the holistic use of disciplinary processes to promote cognitive and affective growth.

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