The Region 4 Texas EcosySTEM

"We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics. "

Katherine Johnson- NASA Research Mathematician

Region 4 Education Service Center provides support to seven counties in the Houston area- Brazoria County, Chambers County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Harris County, Liberty County, and Waller County.

The Region 4 Texas EcosySTEM is a part of Texas Education Agency's (TEA) statewide Texas EcosySTEM. This collaborative effort unites various stakeholders to work towards the common goal of increasing access for young people to STEM-rich learning environments so that they are engaged and have mastered the necessary skills for success in STEM careers.

The Texas EcosySTEM has created a statewide STEM steering committee as well as regional STEM hubs (such as the Region 4 EcosySTEM) with representation from:

  • Formal and informal K-12 educators

  • Workforce Development Boards

  • Chambers of Commerce

  • STEM Business/Industry professionals

  • Education Service Centers

  • Post-secondary institutions

  • Non-profits

  • Other relevant stakeholders

Our purpose as a regional STEM hub is to better align PreK-20 STEM learning pathways and prepare students for the changing needs of higher education and the workforce. Additionally, our work is also aligned with other current TEA initiatives such as the creation of a Work-Based Learning statewide framework, Texas STEM Education Framework, and the Texas Regional Pathways Network. We seek to facilitate cross-sector stakeholder engagement and collectively plan to create more aligned pathways and ensure students in the seven counties that Region 4 services and across Texas are prepared for post-secondary success.

Our work is also aligned with "America's Strategy for STEM Education" (2020) which identifies the following goals for our nation:(1) Build strong foundations in STEM literacy.

(2) Increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.

(3) Prepare the STEM Workforce for the future

Source: Charting a Course for Success : America's Strategy for STEM Education (2020).

Texas STEM Toolkit and Instructional Video Series

The Texas Education Agency has developed the STEM toolkit to support districts when developing a local STEM program that is aligned to the high-quality indicators identified by the state. The STEM tools are designed to support a district in planning and implementing a PK-12 STEM program aligned to the Texas STEM Framework. An Instructional Series has been provided within the Toolkit consisting of six 15-minute videos covering each section of the STEM Toolkit. The instructional series helps users navigate the toolkit and understand the purpose of each tool. Find more information about on the PK-12 STEM Webpage.