Welcome to Telling the STEM Chapter of the Education Core Story – a collection of framing research, recommendations, and sample communications designed to help leading voices explain learning in science, technology, engineering, and math in such a way that builds public understanding and will on STEM issues, while also supporting a broader reframed narrative about education as a public good.
This toolkit, sponsored by the Noyce Foundation, is intended to support communicators in framing the issues that surround STEM learning in both formal and informal learning contexts. It includes three main types of content:
- Communications guides, intended as “job aids” to be used while crafting communications that align with FrameWorks research.
- Sample communications, intended to be used in external communications. These include annotations that unpack the framing strategy being illustrated, so that the recommendations can be extended to new communications.
- Links to research reports, intended to be used as reference material.
Users are encouraged to borrow the language in sample communications verbatim if desired – no citation or special permissions are needed – and also to feel free to adapt the examples to the immediate needs of a local communications context.
For 15 years, FrameWorks Institute research has demonstrated that effective communications can help activate the public’s engagement with complex social issues – such as the education reforms needed to meet the demands of a complex and changing world. This toolkit is based on the findings of the Core Story of Education initiative, a multi-method research project which queried the thinking of over 35,000 Americans. For more on the extensive evidence base that informs the recommendations in this toolkit, visit our website.
Key Framing Guides
Useful guides to keep communicators on frame.
These materials apply the tested frame elements to communications opportunities such as editorials, social media updates, and program descriptions. They can be adapted to local contexts (for example, adding local references or site-specific information) or restructured for different formats (for example, repurposing an editorial as a blog post or public remarks.)
A 60-second animation of Weaving Skills Ropes, a metaphor that establishes skills as integrated and mutually reinforcing – rather than linear and hierarchical.