Content development is a complex process that should never proceed the exact same way twice: each time you develop new content, you should work to learn from and build off of your previous experience(s). The strategies for success and best practices we’ve covered are both a starting point for your content development and a framework within which you can develop your content. You will likely find that content development processes at your own institution deviate to varying degrees from what has been outlined in this module and this is okay. In the end, what has been covered in this module is based on what we know to have worked in a large number of cases—and what we think is important to get you up and running—but they are hardly the only way to approach content development.

We encourage you to bookmark, or make a note of, sections of this module that you might find helpful. As you begin to develop new content, revisit the descriptions of the development process as well as the best practices, to help guide your approach to STEM content development. Likewise, consider consulting the section on content must-haves to help inform the substance of your content, even if you’re already using an activity template: the information, descriptions, and considerations detailed in that section are based on experience, research, and policy documents.

Beyond the strategies for success and best practices, the development process, and the content must-haves, you should keep in mind that your top priority is to present STEM content in ways that are positive, accessible, safe, and (hopefully) fun. Your content is a way for you to communicate your excitement, passion, and enthusiasm for STEM to encourage the next generation of STEM learners and leaders.