Using Libraries to Bridge the STEM Equity Gap
March 21, 2024
Keeping Your STEM Classroom Organized
March 27, 2024
KEY POINTS
- Make it fun, engaging, and hands-on.
- Involve the community.
- Provide professional development opportunities for library staff and educators.
The number of STEM careers is currently growing twice as fast as the number of non-STEM careers. Because of this, STEM learning opportunities are becoming a top priority, not only for schools, but for libraries as well. Libraries provide a vital support system for schools by offering more open, informal learning experiences that can capture the interest of patrons in the communities they serve. Therefore, it’s important to know exactly what makes a library STEM program effective.
KEEP THINGS INTERESTING
In a world of short attention spans, it’s important first and foremost that your STEM program strike the interest of your visitors and actively engage them. Making your program hands-on and laid back is one way to achieve this; injecting too much formal structure into your program can make participants feel more like they are stuck in school and less like they are at a fun extracurricular-type event. Also, let your visitors get creative! Allowing patrons to create their own 3D designs in a CAD program and then allowing them to 3D print their creation is sure to be a memorable experience. Whenever possible, incorporating new and exciting technology is also a great way to keep things interesting. Robots, VR headsets, and microcontrollers are just a few examples of technologies that are sure to foster interest in STEM and provide a way for patrons to have fun while exploring the STEM subjects.
SPREAD THE WORD
No matter how well-developed your library STEM program is, no one will be there to utilize your resources or attend your events if you don’t spread the word. Flyers, social media posts, and word-of-mouth are great ways to reach the members of your community and share information about your program. Be sure to mention the technologies that will be available to visitors, the kinds of STEM subjects they will be diving into, and the fun and excitement they will surely have! It’s also a good idea to get community feedback regarding your program after each event, allowing you to adapt your program to best fit the needs of your particular community and better your program over time.
KEEP STAFF AND EDUCATORS UP-TO-DATE
When developing a STEM program, It’s important to foster a learning ecosystem within your community. Professional development opportunities are a great way to keep staff and educators up-to-date and aware of what resources and technologies are available to them and how to best utilize them. These are also great opportunities to encourage collaboration between librarians, media specialists, educators, and STEM leaders from the workforce, as well as teaching attendees how to search for grants and funding opportunities to further advance the program.
