Mapping connections between STEM and social-emotional development (SED): Innovating assessment and data systems for research and practice – A Virtual Conference

In this virtual conference, The PEAR Institute convened over 40 practitioners and researchers to explore the power of an integrated vision of STEM and social-emotional development (SED). This conference aimed to 1) create a collaboration of out-of-school time (OST) leaders, practitioners, and researchers to map the overlays of STEM and SED; 2) identify best practices for integrated STEM-SED programming; 3) explore common existing and potential measures; and 4) identify how data is measured, communicated, and used for skills that are important to both STEM and SED. Through this collaboration, we aimed to initiate the conversations, establish partnerships, and build the capacity for assessment of STEM and SED in informal STEM learning programs.

Rather than seeking consensus, this conference sought to unearth questions and generate new ideas to lay a foundation for future research and practice, a way to inform the field about high-quality research and practice to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration and synergy between STEM and SED.

Conference deliverables include a conference report, an informal key findings webinar, and conference website (https://www.thepearinstitute.org/stem-sed-conference-2020). The website includes links to a participant directory, conference at-a-glance overview, agendas, readings, and additional resources identified during the conference.