STEAM Equity Conference Website Now Live!

Don’t miss out on the invaluable insights and resources shared at the STEAM Equity Conference. Recordings and slides from the event are now available, offering a wealth of knowledge on how to effectively support and inspire STEAM learning in your communities. Whether you’re looking to enhance your current programs or start new initiatives, these materials provide practical strategies and collaborative approaches to engage tweens and their families. Dive into the content today and be part of the movement to foster equitable STEAM opportunities in rural areas. Check out the recordings and slides now!

Empowering Rural Communities: The STAR Net STEAM Equity Project

In a groundbreaking initiative funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF),  the Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL/SSI), the American Library Association (ALA), Twin Cities PBS (TPT), Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI) and Education Development Center (EDC) have collaborated for the STAR Net STEAM Equity Project. This innovative project brought together staff from 12 rural libraries and their community collaborators for a collaborative conference, aiming to enhance STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning and career opportunities in rural areas.

A Vision for Empowering Rural Communities

The core vision of the STAR Net STEAM Equity Project is to empower Latinx tweens and their families in rural communities by:

• Fostering Equitable STEAM Learning: Utilizing the existing strengths, interests, and diverse cultures of these communities to create engaging and accessible STEAM learning opportunities.
• Creating Career Pathways: Providing insights and pathways into STEAM careers, ensuring that these opportunities are equitable and inclusive.

Building Gender-Equitable STEAM Pathways

With the dedicated support of the project team, public library workers have made significant strides in fostering a more inclusive and engaging STEAM environment. Key achievements include:

• Collaborative Co-Creation: Partnering with community leaders, particularly those serving Latinx populations, and youth to develop gender-equitable STEAM exploration pathways.
• Active Engagement: Encouraging tweens and their families to actively participate in STEAM activities within the library and the wider community.
• Capacity Building: Enhancing the ability of library workers to collaborate with community members, ensuring the sustainability of STEAM learning initiatives for female and Latinx populations.

Insights and Learning from the Conference

The STEAM Equity Conference was a pivotal event designed to disseminate the findings and experiences of participating libraries. The conference provided a platform for library workers, educators, and STEAM professionals to learn how to effectively support tween interest and persistence in STEAM learning within rural communities.

Through this project, rural libraries and their collaborators are discovering innovative ways to engage their communities in STEAM education, breaking down barriers, and opening new pathways to learning and career opportunities. The STAR Net STEAM Equity Project stands as a demonstration to the power of collaboration and the potential of rural libraries to transform lives through equitable STEAM education.

For more information on the STAR Net STEAM Equity Project, feel free to check out https://www.ala.org/tools/programming/steamequity or https://www.starnetlibraries.org/about/our-projects/steam-equity/.

You can find the recordings at: https://www.starnetlibraries.org/steam-equity-conference/