Cross-Sector Collaboration: Expanding CS Opportunity for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Outline

Title: Cross-Sector Collaboration: Expanding CS Opportunity for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Visual Story and Welcome (throughout 90 minutes)
Large central poster visually summarizing:
The collaboration
The project’s purpose: co-designing CS learning with the community
Key visuals: partnership map, photos of activities, quotes from parent facilitators and students (if possible).
Engagement
One presenter welcomes visitors with a 60 second overview
QR codes link to a 1-minutes video and digital handout (project overview, resource links)
Time per visitor: 2-3 minutes (to accommodate for shared exhibit style environment)

Collaboration in Action (continuos 3-5 minute conversations)
Mini-panels or tabletop visuals showing how partners from different sectors collaborated:
 How each organization’s expertise contributed
 How decisions were shared and communication maintained across cities.
 Challenges and lessons learned.
Engagement
 Visitors invited to share a story of an unexpected or out-of-sector partnership they’ve seen.
 Optional sticky-note prompt: “What’s one partner outside your usual circle you could collaborate with?”
 Time per visitor: 4-5 minutes

Learning Experience Showcase (hands-on, continuous)
Small activity station highlighting what students and parents experienced
 Unplugged coding activity using everyday materials
 Scratch demo showing a student or parent-created project (with permission)
Posters illustrate how these experiences supported belonging and transitions for families.
Engagement
 Visitors try a 2-minute unplugged mini-activity or view a short Scratch animation.
 Handouts and QR links to the project report and images/videos from the project.
 Time per visitor: 4-6 minutes

Takeaway Station (continuous reflection and dialogue)
Final section with key takeaways on building sustainable, cross sector partnerships.
Visual board summarizing what works and what we’re still learning.
Engagement
 Reflection prompt: “What’s one new partnership idea you’re taking with you?”
 Visitors write on a sticky note or scan a QR to post on a Padlet board
 Time per visitor: 3-4 minutes

Presenter Facilitation Approach (throughout the 90 minutes)
Rotating roles among presenters:
 Greeter: welcomes new visitors and shares the 60 second overview
 Storyteller: leads brief conversations and answers questions
 Connector: facilitates one-on-one or small group dialogue with visitors wanting deeper discussion.
Presenters intentionally rotate every 20-25 minutes to stay energized and engaged.
All materials will be designed for accessibility.

Visitor Experience Summary (to minutes per visitor)
2 min - overview and visual story
3 min - collaboration story
3 min - hands-on activity or Scratch demo
2 min - reflection and takeaway

Visitors can enter at any point and complete the loop in 10 minutes, while presenters continuously engage and tailor conversations wot each visitor’s interest.

Outcomes

Attendees will leave with an understanding of how partners from vastly different sectors, STEM education, CS Ed research, and community, can unite to create meaningful change. This poster highlights how co-designing CS learning experiences with communities experiencing homelessness fosters belonging, creativity and opportunity. Participants will gain insights and practical strategies for building unique partnerships that extend beyond their own sector to create lasting, community-driven impact in education.

Supporting research

https://nationalinitiatives.issuelab.org/resources/16921/16921.pdf

School House Connection 2025 Fact Sheet: Educating Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness. schoolhouseconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Educating-Children-and-Youth-Experiencing-Homelessness-2025-Fact-Sheet.pdf

El-Hamamsy, L., Bruno, B., Audrin, C., Chavalier, M., Avry, S., Zufferey, J., & Mondada, F. (2023). How are primary school computer science curricular reforms contributing to equity? Impact on student learning, perception of the discipline, and gender gaps. International Journal of STEM Education, 10(1), 60-63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00438-3

Ching., Y, Yang, D., Wang, S., Baek, Y., Swanson, S., & Chittoori, B. (2019). Elementary school student development of STEM attitudes and perceived learning in a STEM integrated robotics curriculum. Techtrends, 63(5), 590-601.

Forbes: Why Cross-Sector Collaboration is Key to Solving Societal Challenges. forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2025/08/06/why-cross-sector-collaboration-is-key-to-solving-societal-challenges

Ferrera, M. (2015). Parent involvement facilitators: Unlocking social capital wealth. The School Community Journal, 25(1), 29.

Beating the Odds: How Can Schools and Districts Support Students Experiencing Homelessness? buildingchanges.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/SchoolhouseWA_BeatingtheOddes_2020.pdf

Matloff-Nieves, S. (2007). Growing our own: Former participants as staff in afterschool youth development programs. Afterschool Matters, (6), 15.

Basualdo-Delmonico, A., & Spencer, R. (2016). A parent's place: Parent's, mentors' and program staff members' expectatations for and experiences of parental involvement in community-based youth mentoring relationships. Children and Youth Services Review, 61, 6-14. https://doi.org/10/1016/j.childyouth.2015.11.021

This nonprofit is training shelter residents in the tech skills they need to keep up with the workforce. streetsensemedia.org/article/this-non-profit-is-training-shelter-residents-in-the-tech-skills-they-need-to-keep-up-with-the-workforce/