Learn about the Framework | Informal STEM Learning

Institutional Operations
Institutional Impact
Job-Specific Expertise
General Expertise

Learn about the Framework

The Informal STEM Learning Professional Competency Framework (ISL Framework) describes the suite of competencies that are associated with successful practice within the ISL field. The framework consists of four domains of competencies. Two of the domains focus on understanding the ways institutions work in the informal STEM learning field (Institutional Operations and Institutional Impact), while the other two domains focus on the ways individuals work within institutions (Job-Specific Expertise and General Expertise).

The table below provides a summary of each domain across three levels of proficiency. Each of the four domains is divided into four categories of competencies (16 total). Click on any of the domains to see the competencies and their descriptions for each level. To see the full framework, click on <Download the Framework> below.

Institutional Operations

This domain describes knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that relate to the policies, organizational structures, functions, and purposes of informal STEM learning (ISL) organizations. Professionals generally progress from understanding the operations of their institution to managing and influencing and then creating and implementing policies and procedures that guide the operations of an institution.

Institutional Impact

This domain describes knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that relate to the impact of informal STEM learning (ISL) institutions. Professionals generally progress from understanding the intended and achieved impact of programs and products of an institution to influencing and contributing to the articulation, implementation, and/or the study of ways ISL institutions interact with and contribute to society.

Job-Specific Expertise

This domain describes the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that are specific to a person’s area of work. Professionals typically become more effective and more efficient in their work as they increasingly engage in evidence-based practice and professional development.

General Expertise

This domain describes knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that are not specific to an area of work but to the ways an individual interacts with their work and their work environment. Often referred to as "soft skills," these competencies include inter-personal and intra-personal skills, the capacity to think creatively and analytically, and the ability to communicate effectively in varied formats.

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Institutional Operations	Understand and implement the policies and procedures of my institution.	Influence and implement the policies and procedures of my institution.	Create or influence policies and procedures within the ISL field.
Institutional Impact	Understand the intended outcomes of my work and recognize or measure the outcomes achieved.	Identify and contribute to the impact of my institution on its intended audiences.	Understand and contribute to the impact of the ISL field on society.
Job Specific Expertise	Demonstrate effective and efficient knowledge and skills in my area of work.	Develop or manage effective and efficient practices and products in my area of work.	Advance the skills and knowledge base of my area of work in the ISL field.
General Expertise	Demonstrate interpersonal and intrapersonal skills in my area of work.	Demonstrate interpersonal and intrapersonal skills with increasingly complex or difficult areas of work.	Support and nurture exemplary interpersonal and intrapersonal skills across my institution and ISL field.

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Mission, Vision, and Goals	Understand and support the mission, vision, and goals of my institution.	Influence and contribute to the mission, vision, and goals of my institution.	Influence and contribute to the mission, vision, and goals of the ISL field.
Structure	Understand and navigate the organizational structure of my institution.	Manage and contribute to the organizational structure of my institution.	Create and contribute to organizational structures within the ISL field.
Policies	Understand the policies and expectations of my institution.	Manage and contribute to the policies and practices of my institution.	Create and contribute to the policies and practices of the ISL field.
Finances	Understand budgets that relate to my area of work.	Identify, develop, and manage sources of income and expenditures within my institution.	Provide financial leadership for projects, programs, and products within the ISL field.

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Audiences	Identify intended and achieved outcomes for my area of work that align with an understanding of audiences.	Identify intended and achieved outcomes for my institution that align with an understanding of my community and of the ISL field.	Identify intended and achieved outcomes for the ISL field that align with an understanding of society and of the ISL field.
Role	Understand the role of ISL institutions in society and the history of my institution within my community.	Influence and contribute to the impact, reputation, and value of my institution.	Advance the aspirations and the capacity of the ISL field to impact society.
Equity & Diversity	Understand and support the characteristics of an equitable and culturally-responsive work environment.	Influence and contribute to equitable and responsive practices within my institution and the ISL field.	Advance the role of ISL institutions in building an equitable and vibrant society.
Evaluation & Research	Understand the processes, purpose, and results of research and evaluation within my area of work.	Influence and contribute to the use of research and evaluation within my institution.	Influence and contribute to the use of research and evaluation within the ISL field.

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Effective Practice	Provide programs, services, and products that achieve intended outcomes.	Develop or manage programs, services, and products that achieve intended outcomes.	Create or contribute to ISL practices that achieve increasingly complex intended outcomes.
Efficient Practice	Use tools and strategies in my work to minimize the resources that are necessary to achieve desired outcomes.	Implement or manage processes and practices that use minimum resources necessary to achieve maximum outcomes.	Create or contribute to ISL practices that maximize the impact of available resources.
Evidence-based practice	Make decisions about my area of work based on evidence about effectiveness and efficiency.	Influence or contribute to the use of evidence in the decisions, plans, and actions of my institution.	Advocate for and contribute to evidence about effective and efficient practices in the ISL field.
Professional Learning	Participate in professional learning that advances my professional and personal goals.	Influence or contribute to professional development opportunities for myself and others.	Create and advocate for professional learning opportunities across and throughout the ISL field.

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Intrapersonal Knowledge & Skills	Understand and respect the values, attitudes, and behaviors that I bring to my work.	Encourage institutional practices that recognize and reward intrapersonal reflection, knowledge, and skills.	Create and support ISL practices that recognize intrapersonal reflection, knowledge, and skills.
Interpersonal Knowledge & Skills	Acknowledge and respect the values, attitudes, and behaviors of myself and of others within my institution.	Support and influence collaborative and mutually-beneficial relationships within my institution.	Create and support collaborative and mutually-beneficial relationships within and outside the ISL field.
Communication	Demonstrate effective and ethical communication skills in my work.	Support and influence effective and ethical communication skills with a range of audiences and using a range of media.	Create and support strategic communication skills that advance the work of the ISL field in society.
Creative & Analytical Thinking	Demonstrate creative and analytical thinking skills in my area of work.	Use creative and analytical thinking skills to address increasingly complex problems and opportunities within my institution.	Use creative and analytical thinking skills to influence and support the capacity of the field to address societal goals and problems.

A Guide to the ISL Professional Competency Framework

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