top of page

Ecosystem Updates

Always something happening! 

See below for the latest.

All-Members Networking Meeting May 2026

A huge shoutout also goes out to all of our incredible STEM partners who joined us at Ecosystem's All-Members Networking Meeting on May 21, 2026. The event not only provided an opportunity to share updates on the McKinney Center for STEM Education's strategic direction and clarification surrounding its organizational structure, it also reinforced the power of community! The energy in the room was invigorating! It was so awesome to see familiar faces while forging new connections within this amazing community. 

​

We would like to thank the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University for always collaborating

with us, and to the participants of the Women In Natural Sciences (WINS)  program for presenting their

research posters and for networking with our members.

​​

Click below for more information on the event:

​

​

We started the afternoon networking over coffee and cookies - always a good way to start!  The presentation then proceeded with Phil Brooks, Vice President of Programming and Innovation at Graduate Philadelphia.  Phil, a long-time friend and Steering Committee member of the Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem, shared his experience in the STEM landscape and how is so important now more than ever to connect and collaborate.  He ended with an anecdote when he said "Many years ago,  I was asked by Don McKinney "How will you leave your mark on STEM?" Phil mentioned that he carries this question with him every day - so the challenge is to all of us "How will you leave your mark on STEM?"

David Garbe, PEF's Director of the McKinney Center for STEM Education followed with a presentation of the McKinney Center, "Where are we and where are we going?" . This background was part of clarifying how the Ecosystem and PSEC connect in the McKinney Center and PEF. (see figure 1 below).  Also, the difference between the Ecosystem and PSEC (see figure 2 below) was a sticking point to many.  Through our work with Compass ProBono in Spring 2026, this where a couple of questions that came out of the project.  ​​

 

The data collected and the suggestions from the project are still being process and will be shared in the near future. 

052126-stem-event-111.jpg

Figure 1: Organizational Chart for The McKinney Center for STEM Education

ball and stick 2026.jpg

Figure 2: Comparison Chart - Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem vs. PSEC

Screenshot 2026-06-26 112310.png

​Betsy Payne, Manager of the Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem highlighted the many activities that the Ecosystem's Workgroups have been working on in the FY2026:

​​Computer Science Workgroup

​

Co-chairs: Jeffrey L. Poppyack, Professor of Computer Science​ at Drexel University​​​, and ​Tammy Pirmann, Ph.D​, Assistant Teaching Professor, Computer Science ​at Drexel University, in collaboration with CS4Philly and Jumpstart Philly CS4ALL

​​

  • PD for High School CS Teachers: ​Offered by Jumpstart Philly and Lead Teachers from SDP​

    • ​Four 2-hour virtual sessions on AI, teaching with AI, programming with Codio, and the AP Cybersecurity course/exam​​​

  • Student Outreach: ​Jumpstart Philly, Drexel students, CS4Philly ​​

    • K-12 Philly School Fair ​

    • CS Education Week Event ​

    • Philadelphia Media and Design Competition ​

  • CS Teacher Community: ​Jumpstart Philly, CS4Philly, and SDP Partners ​

    • ​CS Teacher Happy Hour ​

    • 7th Annual CS Teacher Awards & Celebration

  • ​​CS Education: ​ 

    • PA Strategic Plan for K–12 CS Education, Frey, Mongan, w/Pirmann, Popyack, et al​

    • ​Citizen Science Subcommittee - Pirmannn, Popyack, Hall, Mongan, Grover— (since January*)​

Education for Sustainability Workgroup

 

Co-chairs: Hillary Kane, Director, PHENND and ​Victor Donnay, Professor of Mathematics at Bryn Mawr College in collaboration  with PHENND.

​

  • Workshops and Convening:​​
    • Fall Meeting at Villanova themed on Civic Partnerships for Sustainable Communities​ - Panel on student research partnerships for local environmental sustainability ​​
    • PRISE Spring Educator Convening: Think Globally, Act Locally: Connecting STEM to Real World Issues​

  • Social Events

    • Penn Materials Library + Happy Hour Information Clearinghouse​ - Quarterly Newsletter distributed​​

  • Quarterly meetings: Input from members​

    • What we learned: Concentrated interest in accessible green spaces that support native habitat and climate resilience, green workforce development​​

    • What it led to: One Grant applied to - DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant, seeking further opportunities​

     ​

STEM Teacher Talent Development Workgroup

 

Co-chairs: Greer Richardson, Professor of Education at La Salle University​ and ​​Stacy Olitsky, Associate Professor, Department of Teacher Education at St. Joseph's University

​

​​

  • Coalition Initiatives 2025-26​

    • Monthly Coalition Meetings - 200 members​

    • C2 STEP Initiative-funded through June 2026​

    • Future STEM Leaders Club-pilot​

    • Webinar Series: ​

      • New Developments in STEM Education​

      • STEM Learning and Leading Opportunities​

    • Fall and Spring STEM Educator Conferences​

    • Youth in Education Convening​

    • Developing Partnerships: ​

      • UTeach​

      • Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program ​

      • Teach in STEM PA​

     ​

PSEC.png

Diana finished her comments with addressing changes to come at PSEC. This new phase of work will require a shift on how we operate. Also, PSEC is sharpening our focus on Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing, a rapidly growing sector with tremendous opportunity for Philadelphia’s diverse talent.  More information to come!

Diana Lievano, Executive Director of the Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective (PSEC) showcased the impact that the Collective has had  with 12 new projects or initiatives.

Since 2022, PSEC has continued engagement with more than 270 members and 300+ hours of facilitated conversations.  Some of the activities and projects that PSEC has worked on are:

​​

ACTIVITIES:

​

  • STEMposium 2025: Building Sustainable Transformative Economic Mobility Pathways

  • STEMposium 2024: To Inclusion and Beyond

  • STEMposium 2023

  • STEM Equity Week: 2023, 2024 & 2025

  • ​Yeah, That's STEM!  Community Day 2025

  • DEIB Best Practices Forum: 2024

​

​

PROJECTS & Collaborations:

​

  • Partner Community of Practice at Cramp Elementary 

  • Partnership for Undergraduate Life Science Education (PULSE) - PULSE Ambassadors

  • iRISE - 2nd Annual STEM Leadership Summit 

  • High-quality and Culturally Responsive
    Out-of-School STEM Framework

  • Philadelphia Geography Project

  • Summer  STEM Bridge Program

​

Over light refreshments, the networking meeting was a great opportunity to connect with fellow members, strengthen partnerships, exchange ideas, and build new relationships. We learned how our attendees connect with the Ecosystem, what connections they wanted to make, and to think back to what they wanted to be in their youth! And to those who made new connections through guided networking activities and shared their information, gift cards to La Colombe were issued so that they could continue their new partnership over a cup of coffee! 

​

We are looking forward to having another in-person event, as well as virtual short-meetings.  Hoe to see you there!

For more information, contact Betsy Payne, Manager Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem.

bottom of page