Partnering with communities to study and support equitable STEM learning for families in informal and everyday learning contexts.

Welcome to the Center for Equitable Family STEM Learning at TERC. We are a group of researchers, educators, and community advocates dedicated to collaborating with families and community organizations to understand the unique ways that families engage with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outside of school, elevate the voices and perspectives of families in STEM education research, and develop programs and collaboration models that help transform systemic inequities in STEM education for families. Our projects use participatory methods and asset-based approaches to counter deficit narratives and highlight the strengths and knowledge that already exist within families from diverse cultural communities.

The most meaningful thing we learned was collaboration. I appreciate that lesson. Sometimes we struggle— the kids all have their own things, and they tend to fuss with each other when they play. This has allowed us to work together and share each other’s ideas. I was able to teach my family that.”

– Parent collaborator