Learning Sciences Exchange Fellowship Program

The Learning Sciences Exchange (LSX) is a ground-breaking fellowship for mid-career professionals who are interested in joining a diverse, multi-sector cohort for communicating new research and catalyzing change in schools and communities. The focus of this cohort will be parent and family engagement; those with expertise in elementary or middle school-family partnerships are encouraged to apply.

Program Sectors

• In this call for applications, they are looking for individuals in four sectors:
  • Researchers in family engagement, child development, cognitive science, and other fields across the learning sciences
  • Social-impact entrepreneurs who have built or are deeply involved in non-profit startups or other new initiatives to advance family engagement and/or children’s learning
  • Education journalists with experience reporting on schools, social science, kids, and families through short- or long-form pieces, podcasts, or other media
  • Entertainment producers and game developers focused on products and services that support learning

Program Structure

• LSX Focus Fellows will work in teams to develop cross-sector projects that activate and sustain change in three schools in Pennsylvania, with potential for greater reach. Principals or other leaders from the three schools will present an issue or two related to family engagement for the team to collaboratively solve. The schools have already experienced key successes through the Parents as Allies program and will be seeking ways to sustain and expand their work. The LSX Focus Fellows will meet in Washington, DC for the LSX Summit and orientation, September 18th – 19th, and begin the co-design process. The group will meet monthly for facilitated, virtual co-design sessions and will create innovative tools or strategies to address the identified needs. The LSX Focus Fellows will then visit each of the school sites in March, and their innovative projects will be implemented by the principals in May.

Benefits

• Becoming an LSX Fellow brings many benefits, including becoming part of the growing network of creative and driven professionals across multiple sectors and geographies who are advancing new ideas to support children’s learning. Fellows receive training on new science of learning concepts and proven methods for effective communications with broad audiences. Each LSX Focus Fellow in this one-year cohort will receive a $1500 stipend plus travel funds.

Duration

• This is a one-year fellowship. It starts in August 2024 and ends in July 2025.

Who can apply?

• For this cohort, they can only accept applications from individuals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
• The ideal LSX Focus Fellows candidate is someone who is well-positioned to collaborate in teams and who has experience working with families or schools. They seek candidates who are also able to bring insights back to their communities and their respective fields to make a positive impact on children’s learning.
• Candidates should be mid-career and experienced enough in their own fields to understand the value of seeking out new opportunities for collaboration and communication of ideas across different sectors.
• Less experienced persons are also encouraged to apply if they feel comfortable enough to bring new insights back to their respective fields while also helping to advance interdisciplinary approaches to communicating and applying the science of learning.
• They are seeking fellows who are interested in working on projects to enhance the learning of children ages 2 to 12 and to enhance connections between parents and teachers who work with children in these age ranges.

Language

• All communications about the fellowship and all meetings, workshops, and presentations will be conducted in English.

For more information, visit New America.