Phil Rogofsky, Festival Founder and Executive Director, attended the STEM Learning Ecosystem (SLE) Convening in Jacksonville from May 1st -3rd. SLE are A STEM Learning Ecosystem encompasses schools, community settings such as after-school and summer programs, science centers and museums, and informal experiences at home and in a variety of environments that together constitute a rich array of learning opportunities for young people. There are over 100 SLE’s around the world including one in Baltimore. Eric Davis, Founder and Exec Director of STEM Center of Excellence, Inc. and Katrina Robinson from Morgan State University were two additional Maryland representatives at the Convening.
STEM2Hub, the Jacksonville SLE, was the gracious host. They showed a documentary of their amazing work. The documentary can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_SRXmFlkSY. Everyone should watch it to see what a SLE can do. Attendees came from as far away as Europe and Israel. There were many outstanding workshops including
- Bringing MVP’s into Your Ecosystem to Create an All-Star Team-Phil attended this workshop which discussed connecting with local sports teams.
- Preparing Students for the Future Workforce; Expanding Career Pathways
- The Next Flex Generation of Rosie's Riveters and Hard-Hatted Women (HHW)
- Partnering with DoD STEM-Phil attended this workshop which focused on the many difference DoD STEM resources available.
- Shaping the Future: The Role of AI, AR, and VR in Empowering Learners and Communities
- Reimagining the Future of the Engineering Workforce with Million Girls Moonshot
- An Ecosystem Approach from Kindergarten to Career - Partnerships Matter-Phil attended this workshop which focused on how the STEM2Hub created and operates their successful program.
Speakers and presenters ranged from former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to Kathleen Schofield, STEM2Hub Executive Director to Daisa Taylor. Dasia is a trailblazing STEAM advocate, sneakerhead, and technology innovator who has been nationally recognized for her exceptional scientific achievements. She is currently a student at the University of Iowa. Her journey has been widely shared across multiple national platforms, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, PBS NewsHour, CNN, Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, and PEOPLE Magazine. In recognition of her remarkable achievements, Dasia was named the 2023 Iowa’s Woman of the Year presented by USA Today. Another excellent speaker was Barrington Irving set two world records, becoming the youngest person, at 23 in 2007, and the first black pilot to fly solo around the world. Born in Jamaica and brought up in inner-city Miami, he is founder and president of Experience Aviation, a national nonprofit that provides hands-on, STEM+ programs and career guidance to middle and high school students. He is also founder and CEO of The Flying Classroom, an educational resource company that offers a K-12 STEM+ curriculum. A member of Barrington is from Maryland and they are hoping to participate in this year’s Festival
There were many great exhibitors include USA BMX Foundation, Pitsco Education, Thrive Scholars, Cyber.org and Woz Ed in the “playground” Phil is in discussion with several of these organizations to come to the Festival. Phil has scheduled a called with Shireen Hafeez, Executive Director of Deaf Kids Codes as a result of the Convening.
The Bmore Ecosystem is looking to expand. Several other local ecosystems are being developed on the way to creating a Statewide Maryland STEM Ecosystem.
