PROGRAMS

Arizona STEM Ecosystem​

Connecting the STEM Community in Arizona and Beyond

Working Groups

Working Groups are statewide networks of individuals interested in a specific topic, like sustainability, STEM workforce, community impact, and more. Group members meet regularly to share resources, discuss issues, and develop projects that address specific needs in their subject area or community. All working groups are free to join – just fill out the interest form below to be added to a member list!

The purpose of the DEI in STEM Working Group is to provide and facilitate a platform where STEMists from a myriad of backgrounds, professions, and stakeholder groups can come together to discuss, provide resources, and take action for equity in STEM education and STEM institutions.

Currently this group meets as a whole once a quarter on Zoom, and there are project subcommittees that meet at their own discretion more frequently. To get involved, please fill out the interest form below. 

The STEM in Libraries Working Group gathers librarians and library staff together to share resources and best practices for STEM programming and to develop collaborative projects that support STEM efforts at Arizona libraries. 

The group recently hosted Streamin’ Day of STEAMin’, with 3 free online STEAM sessions accompanied by supply kits provided by Asante Library, Ak-Chin Indian Community Library, and Peoria Public Library. Check out the event recording here! The group is also developing a speaker list of Arizona-based STEM researchers who are interested in presenting their work at local libraries. 

The group meets monthly for resource sharing, professional development, and project working sessions. To get involved, please fill out the interest form below. 

The Community Impact Working Group’s purpose is to bring community organizations together to continue to build outreach amongst all of Arizona communities. The goals for this group are to share resources, network with each other, and collaborate on STEM related events to continue to bring the community together around STEM.

The group is currently developing the Oasis Summer Event, a community event which will include the Southwest Maricopa STEM hub organizations, businesses, and exhibitors to showcase the STEM projects happening throughout the SW Maricopa STEM hub.

This working group meets the first Thursday of every month from 1-2pm MST. To get involved, please fill out the interest form below. 

The Sustainability Education & Outreach Working Group is a place where sustainability educators and enthusiasts can network, share resources, and work on collaborative projects. 

In April 2022, the group launched Arizona Sustainability Month – an entire month of STEM professional panels, digital resource fairs, educator meetups, and more. For more information on this project, please visit the Sustainability Month 2022 event page

This working group meets on the second Thursday of every month from 2-3pm MST. To get involved, please fill out the interest form below. 

The Workforce Working Group is a collaboration between K-12, higher ed, certification/training programs, industry, and economic and workforce development offices around the state. The goals of the group are to:

  • Build awareness, understanding, and interest in the abundance of manufacturing and IT careers that Arizona companies have to offer
  • Connect students with diverse STEM professionals, career pathways, and training opportunities to ensure ALL students can see themselves in these careers
  • Highlight clear, step-by-step pathways from K12 to career
  • Simplify outreach between educators and industry

The group is currently working to develop a toolkit for educators and career counselors to share local opportunities in manufacturing, IT, and cybersecurity with their students. 

This working group meets the first Wednesday each month from 4-5pm MST via Zoom. To get involved, please fill out the interest form below. 

The Pre-College STEM Programs working group’s purpose is to bring together programs that support the outreach amongst all students of Arizona communities. The goals for this group are to network, share outreach resources and ideas, and collaborate on STEM related events to continue to bring students together around STEM.

To get involved, please fill out the interest form below. 

Arizona Informal Educators Network is a group for passionate informal/nonformal educators who work at Arizona museums, zoos and aquariums, historical and cultural institutions, nature centers, parks, and more! We network in-person and virtually to grow our skills and knowledge, to collaborate, to learn, and to have fun as we share successes, challenges, and ideas.

This group is for people currently employed as an informal/nonformal educator (or in a direct support role of educators) at non-profit and government organizations. If you are seeking to become employed in the field, we suggest joining the Arizona Emerging Museum Professionals FB group and/or other groups to network.

To join the AZIEN Facebook group, please follow the link below and complete the membership questionnaire for approval.