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Learning ecosystems: from dream to reality

How to connect formal and informal education at a regional or local level? Schools, after-school care institutions, science centres, museums, zoos, libraries, nature organisations, farms, companies... A well-functioning learning ecosystem creates an environment full of connected STEM learning paths and provides children with equal opportunities to take ‘their next step’. What are the opportunities, requirements and pitfalls when creating a learning ecosystem?

In this session we actively alternate inspirational presentations with fun and deepening activities. We will first briefly explain the bigger picture (what is a learning ecosystem?). After a short mind mapping exercise, we will then focus on latest findings and ideas. Through amusing role playing you will experience how various elements or organisations can either impede or help the creation of a learning ecosystem. We will also help each other: what is your next step?

Facilitator

Marianne Benning
Learning ecosystems researcher and project leader pop-upscientist
VSC - Vereniging van wetenschapsmusea en science centers
Amsterdam
Netherlands

Session legacy

In our full session at Ecsite local learning ecosystems were discussed. Here you can find our presentation.

Convenor Marianne stressed the importance of local connections and inclusion. We must give children opportunities to develop their talents in the field of STEM, based on their own interests, in a way that suits where and how they (want to) learn.

Bronwyn Bevan explained that opening doors to pursue your interests and commitments requires more than just the doors being available. Learn more about involved people, places and pursuits through this Spokes article.

The mindmap exercise (see slide 22) is advised to all who want to dive deeper in their own possibilities and local connections. Our participants were completely silent and told us it opened their eyes to think about learning from a learners perspective.

Meie van Laar shared experiences from The Netherlands. Her experience shows clearly we should not only focus on the children we want to reach. Being successful and having impact also very much depends on participation, involvement encouragement and of the teachers (school) and parents (home).

Karen, Kevin and Laurie told us working in learning ecosystems is both challenging as rewarding. The process is important, can be messy and is not fully predictable. Brokering is very important. By actively connecting learning possibilities you help people to find and follow their own learning paths.

Session speakers

Meie van Laar
Meie van Laar
Head of Education
Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Leiden
Netherlands
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Meie is head of learning and research at NEMO Science center. Building on the outcomes of the research phase of project 'Learning where curiosity is sparked', both Naturalis Natural History Museum and Science center NEMO are creating pilot learning ecosystems for children in their region. NEMO will build on existing maker education initiatives in Amsterdam and will stimulate collaboration and coherence between initiatives and creating new ones together. Meie will elaborate on her experiences and ideas.
Bronwyn Bevan
Senior Research Scientist
University of Washington
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Bronwyn is a Senior Research Scientist from University of Washington who will share key considerations for science engagement organisations and creating learning ecosystems. How might science engagement organisations and professionals respond to ideas and imperatives we come to through a STEM learning ecosystems perspective?
Kevin Crowley
Professor
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
United States
Kevin Crowley is a professor of Learning Sciences and Policy at the University of Pittsburgh. Kevin and Karen will give a joint presentation about their experiences regarding a regional learning ecosystem for 21st Naturalism in Pittsburgh. They have been working on it as part of a research practice partnership with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. We will learn about what a “healthy” learning ecosystem looks like, how to track and measure that, and how learning ecosystems require both informal and formal education to go beyond simple linear conceptions of pipelines.
Karen Knutson
Associate Director
University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out of School Environments (UPCLOSE)
Karen Knutson is Associate Director of UPCLOSE (University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out of School Environments). Together with Kevin, she will give a joint presentation about their experiences regarding a regional learning ecosystem for 21st Naturalism in Pittsburgh. They have been working on it as part of a research practice partnership with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. We will learn about what a “healthy” learning ecosystem looks like, how to track and measure that, and how learning ecosystems require both informal and formal education to go beyond simple linear conceptions of pipelines.

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