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To build support for afterschool and summer STEM, you’ve got to answer the public’s big questions about social issues: Why does it matter? How does it work? If it’s not working, why not? And what can we do about it? In answering those questions, we use a mix of tested framing strategies. Find resources below to prepare yourself for conversations about STEM learning.


Core Messages

Talking Points Handout

Use this document to prepare for meetings and expand on these points in emails, blogs, and other formats.

Say This, Not That

Some common arguments used by advocates are actually counterproductive. Find out what to say instead.

FAQs

Be prepared to answer some of the frequently asked questions about the message framing strategies and talking points.


Research and Framing

Read the Research

Original research conducted by the FrameWorks Institute can help you understand how Americans think about and respond to the topics of STEM education and learning in out-of-school settings.

Framing Cards

This printable reference includes all of the values and metaphors included in our recommended framing strategies.

Talking to Schools and Families

This guide is designed to help frontline staff communicate confidently and competently with parents, teachers, and school staff.

Ready, Set, FrameCheck!

Use this checklist to ensure any communication is framed well.

Slide Deck on Research and Framing

Use this presentation to take colleagues through the basic framing strategies of values, metaphors, and explanatory examples in a guided workshop or brown bag session.


How to Tell Your Program Story

Paint Landscapes, Not Portraits

Learn how to move from a “portrait story” to a “landscape story” in order to build support for system-level solutions.

Checklist: Landscape Storytelling

Use this checklist to ensure that your stories are helping audiences to see the big-picture challenges and solutions.

Sample Blog Post

This template provides an example of a program description written using more informal language suitable for a blog entry.

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