research and development of innovative out-of-school STEM learning and emerging STEM learning environments in order to improve STEM learning outcomes and engagement in STEM;

research that advances the field of informal STEM education;

a national partnership of institutions involved in informal STEM learning; and

the integration of art and design in STEM educational programs.

research and development that improves our understanding of learning and engagement in informal environments, including the role of informal environments in broadening participation in STEM;

design and testing of innovative STEM learning models, programs, and other resources for informal learning environments to improve STEM learning outcomes and increase engagement for K–12 students, K–12 teachers, and the general public, including design and testing of the scalability of models, programs, and other resources;