Summer Learning Programs with STEM Workshop

1. Gaining STEAM in the Summer:
The Chicago Public Library’s
Summer Learning Challenge

2. How comfortable are you adding STEAM into
your programming?

6. Based on our impact areas, we wanted a
summer program that would:
• Help improve reading
• Improve technology skills
• Engage kids in out of school time learning
• Improve creativity and innovation skills
• Collaboration and communication among kids
• Foster an environment that involves multiple intelligences

8. STEAM: WHAT IS IT?
•Science
•Technology
•Engineering
•Art
•Mathematics

9. WHY IS STEAM EDUCATION IMPORTANT?
STEAM education:
• Creates critical thinkers
• Increases science literacy
• Enables the next
generation of innovators

10. ECONOMIC IMPACT OF STEAM
• Innovation leads to new
products and processes that
sustain our economy.
• Innovation and science literacy
depend on a solid knowledge
and skill base in these areas.
• It is clear that most jobs of the
future will require a basic
understanding of math and
science.

11. CONSIDER THIS…
Of the 20 fastest growing occupations projected in the
next decade,
15 of them require significant science and/or
mathematics preparation.
(U.S. Dept. of Labor, 2010)

12. CURRENT STATE OF STEAM EDUCATION
• It is imperative that as a nation, we make
STEAM education a top priority.
• U.S. student achievement in mathematics and
science is lagging behind students in much of
Asia and Europe (TIMSS, 2012).
• Only 29% of high school graduates are
considered college-ready in science and 43% are
considered college-ready in math (ACT, 2010).

13. • Why is STEAM important to libraries?

14. HOW DID WE DECIDE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
• Established a partnership between the Chicago
Public Library and the Museum of Science and
Industry
• Integrated STEAM learning into the Summer
Reading/Learning Program
• Combined the power of both organizations to
increase our reach and impact across the city

15. How have you added STEAM elements to your
programming?

19. All learning counts!

22. AUDIENCE POLL
Take a couple
minutes and think
about what you
can design with
these items that
would get the
goats across the
river?

23. • Question
• Observe
• Predict
• Compare, Contrast and Classify
• Investigate
• Document and Communicate
• READ
NURTURING HABITS OF MIND

25. Supports hands-on and project-based activities
that reinforce concepts learned in school without
feeling like more school time.

26. Provides opportunities for children, youth and
families to explore and learn STEAM concepts
together.

27. Fosters the development of science and engineering
practices that are at the core of how scientists and
engineers do their work.

28. Allows learning to be FUN!

30. Summer Learning Loss

37. Teen Programs

40. Questions?

46. What does it look like in action?

66. What tracks of learning can you envision
adding to your library’s summer program?

67. Better together: Leveraging partnerships
• Partnerships make you stronger:
– Resources
– Expertise
– Programming
– Field Trips
– Greater exposure and dosage of programs

76. Questions?

77. Chicago Public Library
System Wide Children’s Services
312-747-4780
story@chipublib.org
Liz McChesney, Director
Shilo Pearson, Digital Learning Specialist
Jason Driver, Early Learning Specialist
Alexa Hamilton, Tween Services
Katie Eckert, Special Projects
Josh Farnum, Play & Active Learning Specialist