The (STEM)² Network: A Multi-Institution, Multidisciplinary Approach to Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education

Recognizing that the systemic transformation of STEM higher education is challenging, the (STEM)² Network directly addresses those challenges by bridging disciplinary and institutional silos, and leveraging the reward structure of the current system to support faculty as they work to transform this very system. In this presentation, we will describe a model that attendees can adopt and customize to leverage multidisciplinary and multi-institution collaborations that catalyze STEM transformation. The Sustainable, Transformative Engagement across a Multi-Institution/ Multidisciplinary STEM, (STEM)², "STEM-squared", Network is empowering faculty to transform the system from inside the system. The Network is founded upon three theoretical frameworks: Communities of Transformation, systems design for organizational change, and emergent outcomes for diffusion of innovations in STEM education. Currently composed of five institutions—three private four-year universities and two public community colleges—the Network capitalizes on the close geographic proximity and shared student demographics to effect change across classroom, disciplinary, institutional, and inter-institutional levels. Since its establishment in January 2020, the Network has (1) increased the number of collaborations across disciplines and institutions, (2) increased the extent to which faculty feel empowered to be change agents for STEM transformation, (3) published two manuscripts, (4) evolved to include ideas that emerged from participants, and (5) developed multiple on-going projects.