Principal Investigator
Marijke Hecht – The Ohio State University
Project Description
In this white paper, the author explores the learning ecosystem framework and describes how it accounts for lifelong learning across time and space, and highlights the importance of out-of-school learning settings for learning. The author begins by describing the framework and its wide adoption across disciplines, including STEM education, and then explores ideas for making the framework more effective.
Research Questions
- How has the learning ecosystem framework been used in science and engineering education research and practice?
- How can learning ecosystems be understood and supported as complex systems rather than complicated systems?
- How can insights from restoration ecology, biological systems, and cross-sector collaboration inform the design of equitable science and engineering learning ecosystems?
Key Findings
The author emphasizes the importance of treating learning ecosystems as dynamic and nested systems shaped by interactions and relations, rather than as complicated but static networks. They argue for collaborative, iterative work to strengthen STEM education rather than linear solutions.
Study Citation
Hecht, M. (2025). Supporting science and engineering learning through an ecosystem approach. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
The Key Findings above were reproduced from the published report and do not necessarily reflect interpretation of Overdeck Family Foundation staff.
