Welcome to Wiring Up—a communications toolkit designed to help advocates talk more effectively with public audiences about the importance of connecting STEM learning environments. If you’re new here, check out the QuickStart Guide for an introduction and overview of the evidence-based framing strategies.
Among the framing tools developed and tested through FrameWorks’ research process were three frame elements – each of which has been proven to successfully accomplish several key communications tasks. To learn about these frame elements and the jobs they each do, as well as how you can use them to enhance your messages, take a look at these Message Cards:
Knowing what to say to boost the efficacy of your communications is essential—but so is knowing what not to say. Some messages are likely to reinforce default thinking or cue up unproductive assumptions, and therefore backfire. Take a look at this When You Say… They Think… chart to learn how certain things you might be inclined to say are likely to influence how your audience thinks in unintended and unhelpful ways. (Don’t worry—we have some alternative strategies to offer!)
Before you go, be sure to read this sample communication—which models the frames in action and takes the form of a Press Release. You’ll see how the framing strategies can be used creatively and flexibly, across numerous formats and in support of a wide range of communications goals.
When you’re ready to take a deeper dive, check out the resources below to read about previous research conducted by the FrameWorks Institute on education, digital media, and other topics related to STEM learning:
