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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.

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

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The Collaborative’s Innovation Fellows are top STEAM teachers and administrators from across the U.S. These Fellows help lead the Collaborative’s K-12 STEAM initiative. INNOVATION FELLOWS The Collaborative’s Innovation Fellows are top STEAM teachers and administrators from across the U.S. The first Innovation Fellows were identified in the Collaborative’s initial round of K-12 STEAM effective practices research. Additional Fellows are added periodically, based on their excellence in teaching and administration and their abilities to move the K-12 STEAM field forward. Fellows represent the arts, sciences, and administration. Collaborative Fellows who were identified when they were K-12 teachers remain Fellow advisors when they move to positions in higher education. These Fellows help lead the Collaborative’s K-12 STEAM initiative. FELLOWS LEADERSHIP TEAM AMANDA DANIELS Melissa ISD, Dallas, Texas ASHLEY LUPFER Pierre Van Courtlandt Middle School, Croton-on-Hudson, New York KIMBERLY OLSON Centre School, Hampton, New Hampshire INNOVATION FELLOWS MICHELE BROWNING SteamSteps and SMI Advisors Los Angeles, California ALICIA CONERLY, EdD Marion County School District, Columbia, Mississippi ANNE LUDES Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts JULIE OLSON Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, South Dakota KERRY BUCHMAN Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, California JENNIFER EDELYN Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Vienna, Virginia JULI MARTIN Northside Elementary, Angleton, Texas KATHLEEN SWEET Starmont Elementary, Arlington, Iowa MELISSA COLLINS John P. Freeman Optional School, Memphis, Tennessee CHARLES HAYES Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Tennessee CARLA NEELY Warner Girls Leadership Academy, Cleveland, Ohio KRISTIN TAYLOR California State University, Northridge, California (CSUN)

LUCINDA PRESLEY CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Presley is the Innovation Collaborative's founder, Chair, and Executive Director. Ms. Presley also is Executive Director of ICEE (Institute where Creativity Empowers Education) Success, which integrates the arts, STEM, and innovation thinking skills to promote engagement, learning, and 21st century problem-solving. She works with partners in Texas, nationally, and internationally to develop school programming, write curriculum, train educators, and develop museums. With over 25 years' experience at the STEAM intersections, she has led STEAM education initiatives and teacher/artist training for an art museum, a science museum, and a national arts provider. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She has been an adjunct instructor of art at a large community college for over 20 years and was recently named Adjunct Professor of the Year. JONATHAN KATZ STRATEGIC ADVISOR Jonathan Katz, Ph.D., the Innovation Collaborative’s Strategic Advisor, helps lead the Collaborative strategically. He is a consultant, speaker and writer, specializing in strategic planning, leadership development, cultural policy and arts education. As CEO of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), he spoke for and led an association of government cultural agencies that have grown to manage in excess of $400 million annually. He co-founded the Arts Education Partnership, which is the nation’s forum for advancing learning in the arts, and the Cultural Advocacy Group, which is the coalition that sets goals annually for the budgets of the federal cultural agencies. As an advisor to the International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies (IFACCA), he facilitated the CEO Seminar for heads of national cultural agencies at World Summits in England, Singapore, South Africa and Australia. He may be contacted at JKatz00000@aol.com .

INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE STEAM EDUCATOR & ADMINISTRATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Innovation Collaborative is now offering its successful research-based STEAM professional development to teachers, administrators, and schools across the US. This is an opportunity to become an active participant in a dynamic community of learners interested in STEAM best practices. The training is available in-person or online. Created jointly with the Collaborative’s national education institutions, this professional development builds on five years of Collaborative research into the most effective practices for bringing STEAM learning to K-12 students of all populations. Choose from the following professional development opportunities: In-person, including virtual support (for groups, with a max of 15 participants) 1 day (STEAM basics). $1500 plus expenses 2 days (STEAM basics plus classroom applications). $2500 plus expenses Online (for individuals or groups, with a max of 15 participants) Level 1 (STEAM basics): 15 hours. $150/person Level 2 (STEAM applications to classroom): 15 hours. $170/person Levels 1 and 2 combined (basics and application to classrooms): 30 hours. Discounted to $300/person Groups of 3 or more receive an additional 10% discount. Conducted with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Worth knowing: These trainings can be customized to meet the needs of specific schools and districts. Graduates can earn micro-credentials as STEAM educators. For more information or to register, contact Lucinda Presley, Collaborative Executive Director, at lpresley@innovationcollaborative.org .

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.

HISTORY OF THE INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE The Innovation Collaborative, established in Washington, D.C., in May, 2013, is an outcome of the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded SEAD (Science, Engineering, Arts, Design) project. This project grew out of meetings co-organized by the NSF, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. WHY A major project of the SEAD Network was the call for and analysis of white papers related to current research and creative work across the arts and sciences. The Innovation Collaborative seeks to take this research and further explore its applications (and implications) for learning in K-12 classrooms and informal learning environments. HOW Drawing on the combined expertise of leading national arts, sciences, and humanities institutions, researchers, and practitioners, the Innovation Collaborative researches STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math) in formal and informal learning settings. A focus of this research is how these intersections deliver vital creative and innovative thinking skills while teaching important content. The Collaborative also has begun its programming outreach to educators and administrators with its K-12 STEAM Teacher/Administrator Professional Development. By working continually to build shared vocabulary, goals, and strategies, the Collaborative develops rich mutual understanding and cooperation across disciplines and learning settings. WHAT Since its inception in May, 2013, the Innovation Collaborative has accomplished many goals. Among these are: Conducted three rounds of strategic planning Developed ongoing, successful and productive collaborations among a number of diverse institutions and disciplines that support Collaborative goals Developed an active Research Thought Leader group made up of nationally known researchers representing the arts and sciences, as well as neuroscience and creativity Completed its multi-year National Endowment for the Arts-funded national research project. This project identified K-12 effective practices for teacher/administrator professional development and classroom implementation that support promote creative and innovative thinking at the intersections of the sciences, arts, and humanities Completed a two-year National Science Foundation-funded project, in partnership with Texas Southern University . This project, comprised of 70 leading STEAM Out-of-School Time researchers and practitioners across the U.S., studied where STEAM is in relation to serving all populations in Out-of-School Time and where it could head next. Has procured significant funding that is helping grow its infrastructure. Has successfully conducted annual STEAM Summits where educators, administrators, and supporters across learning settings learn and interact in relation to relevant STEAM topics. Is launching its national research-based K-12 Teacher/Administrator Professional Development.

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.

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 .

Refund Policy A legal disclaimer The explanations and information provided on this page are only general and high-level explanations and information on how to write your own document of a Refund Policy. You should not rely on this article as legal advice or as recommendations regarding what you should actually do, because we cannot know in advance what are the specific refund policies that you wish to establish between your business and your customers. We recommend that you seek legal advice to help you understand and to assist you in the creation of your own Refund Policy. Refund Policy - the basics Having said that, a Refund Policy is a legally binding document that is meant to establish the legal relations between you and your customers regarding how and if you will provide them with a refund. Online businesses selling products are sometimes required (depending on local laws and regulations) to present their product return policy and refund policy. In some jurisdictions, this is needed in order to comply with consumer protection laws. It may also help you avoid legal claims from customers that are not satisfied with the products they purchased. What to include in the Refund Policy Generally speaking, a Refund Policy often addresses these types of issues: the timeframe for asking for a refund; will the refund be full or partial; under which conditions will the customer receive a refund; and much, much more.

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