Our Impact
SEE provides experiential learning through hands-on curriculum modules, teacher training, and student extracurricular programs.
In all contexts, we are measuring change and we are noticing improvements in: 
- STEM Identity & Engagement
- Persistence along STEM Pathways
- Social Capital
- 21st Century Skills (including Systems Thinking)
Percent Change was calculated for cohorts of HS students completing various Systems Education Experiences. Internships, workgroups and STEAM Ambassador programs were run by SEE Staff. The curriculum cohort was run by teachers in formal classrooms in a rural school district with a high percentage of students from indigenous tribes. STEAM Ambassador Cohort n=18, Internships (2019 n=10, 2018 n=8), 2020 Workgroup n=41, Curriculum n=190.
SEE plays an important role in building thriving STEM pathways.
A 2019-2020 yearlong research investigation, led by Dr. Shelley Stromholt of Aspect Research + Evaluation, aimed to examine the potential for programs like SEE to address issues of equity in STEM education through learner engagement in authentic systems STEM. This study had the additional goal of examining how this engagement supports young people from underrepresented groups to make progress on STEM pathways. We identified aspects of SEE that contribute to youth engagement in using systems thinking and STEM practices in formal and informal settings to address complex, relevant, and contemporary problems. We surveyed the STEM journey of 142 previous SEE high school interns and ambassadors and compared their experiences along the Thriving Pathway. The concept of thriving, from Schreiner and colleagues (2010) is a desirable goal in STEM pathways and a concept that attends to dimensions such as how students are academically engaged, how they make efforts toward goals, and how they connect to their community. We used the concept of thriving to understand how SEE learners are supported, or not, by their experiences with SEE to make progress toward these aspects of STEM success. For more information, please see our Nature Humanities and Social Sciences Communications publication, Consequential Insights for Advancing Informal STEM Learning and Outcomes for Students from Historically Marginalized Communities.
High School Interns describing their experiment to visiting students.
What are teachers saying after working and/or learning with us?
SEE teacher participants report having renewed energy, new ideas, and ready-to-go strategies and materials for their classrooms. Teachers also feel supported with an expanded network of colleagues to turn to for ongoing support.
Teachers in a weeklong workshop creating instrumentation to bring back to their classrooms.
- 4,000+ teachers have been trained through our direct interactions and professional development institutes.
- 30,000 additional teachers have received introductory (15-180 minutes) training.
- 63 teachers have been trained through our onsite summer internships (many for multiple summers).
- 800+ kits, complete with materials and cultures, have been provided to enable successful lab experiences.
- Learn more about our opportunities for teachers at our For Teachers page and view our Timeline and News pages for more examples of our work.
Because we provide free online curriculum modules we are not aware of all people using our materials and are not aware of the impact on their learning and careers. If you are someone who has used our materials or participated in SEE and would like to share your experience, please contact us. Or if you are interested in becoming a partner to broaden our impact, please see the Partners page and/or consider a gift to STEM Education today.