“We are Water” Exhibit Co-Development Opportunity for New Mexico Libraries

If you are a rural library in the Four Corners Region of New Mexico, consider joining the We are Water Project!

We are Water is a collaborative project between scientists, Indigenous science educators, learning researchers, informal educators, and library staff. The traveling exhibit tour has ended, and now we are looking for one more library in the Four Corners Region of New Mexico to collaborate with the We are Water team to codesign a locally-relevant community exhibit about water.

Click Here to Apply!

Deadline to apply is Friday, December 6 2024
Libraries serving Spanish speaking communities will be prioritized

We will work with you and your community to customize and co-design a community exhibit with the following components:

1. Banner exhibit panels: modified content that explores locally relevant water topics in multiple languages (such as water rights, Acequias, water quality, and water access).
2. Interactive components: such as a small-scale Connect Four game, floor puzzle maps that show local water topics, community mosaics, etc.
3. Representation of community stories and voices: including a collection of quotes and stories displayed on a library monitor.
4. Programming around water topics: such as Take & Make kits, a water festival, mini-film festival, and more.

Interested libraries from the following counties are invited to apply:
New Mexico counties: McKinley, Rio Arriba, San Juan, Sandoval

If selected, you will work closely with the We are Water Project Team on a Collaborative Design Process starting in early 2025, including:

• Two Community Listening Sessions (~2 hour sessions) conducted by our Research & Evaluation team:
  • In-person focus group with community members
  • Summary of water topic interest, focus, and perspectives
• Compiling an advisor group with four of your local partners to participate in a 4-hour design session for exhibit and interactive content.

Following these sessions, the We are Water Project Team will develop mock-up versions of the exhibit components and facilitate an iterative review with community advisors.

The final exhibit is expected to be finished by June of 2025 and will be sent to the selected library to keep, along with at $500 mini grant!

Please send any questions to Claire Ratcliffe Adams (cratcliffe@spacescience.org)