Increasing STEM engagement through opportunity landscaping

Area of Science:

• Urban planning
• Educational equity
• Community development

Background:

• Youth STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) pathways are shaped by a complex ecosystem of organizations, places, and resources.
• Stakeholders often work in silos, limiting their understanding of how different factors (e.g., transportation, programming) impact youth opportunities.
• A comprehensive view of the opportunity landscape is essential for equitable youth progress in STEM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a city's approach to mapping its opportunity landscape for youth.
• To foster collaboration among stakeholders to create cohesive STEM learning opportunities.
• To increase youth freedom of movement and access to resources within the urban environment.

Main Methods:

• Collecting systems-driven data on organizations, places, barriers, and supports.
• Engaging in collaborative design with community and organizational partners.
• Analyzing the intersection of various impact areas within the urban ecosystem.

Main Results:

• Development of a cohesive opportunity landscape for one city.
• Design of summer 2023 youth STEM learning opportunities based on collaborative insights.
• Identification of factors influencing youth mobility and resource access.

Conclusions:

• Mapping the opportunity landscape is crucial for understanding and improving youth STEM pathways.
• Collaborative design efforts can lead to increased access and equitable opportunities for all youth.
• Addressing systemic barriers enhances youth engagement and progress in STEM fields.