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)

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.

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 .

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

CONTACT THE INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE Get in touch so we can start working together. Email Info: info@innovationcollaborative.org First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!