The Need for Convergence and Emergence in Twenty-first Century Nano-STEAM+ Educational Ecosystems

This chapter examines the necessary attributes of Nanoscale STEAM+ education systems that can address strategic twenty-first century academic, government, industrial and societal needs. Such systems leverage the mutually supportive interdependence of all key stakeholders within the educational supply chain. They also nurture convergent, transdisciplinary and hands-on platform-enhanced educational opportunities. In this chapter, I share two sets of stories that highlight some similarities between the processes of innovation and education. These stories drive the proposed recommendations and guiding principles for twenty-first century educational ecosystems. Key chapter goals are to stimulate conversations on best practice processes and systems that: (1) Catalyze and sustain interest in Nano-STEAM+ education and (2) enable adaptive, convergent and innovative educational infrastructures. This chapter also recognizes that it may be a challenge for some stakeholders to engage in the proposed educational ecosystem, and recommends options to enhance accessibility.