These slides accompanied my portion of a panel presentation, "Literacy Programming: Forming Partnerships and Sharing Resources," at the Day of Diversity: Dialogue and Action in Children’s Literature and Library Programming presented by the Association for Library Service to Children in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council. My fellow panelists were Pat Mora, Maureen Costello, Deborah Ford, Irania Patterson, and Michelle Leo Fadlalla. The panel was moderated by Dr. Claudette McLinn.

1. What is STEAM, and how does
diversity fit in?
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library

2. What is STEAM, and how does
diversity fit in?
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library
“The arts and sciences are
avatars of human creativity.”
- Mae Jemison1

3. Minorities are
underrepresent
ed in STEM
fields.2
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library

4. Minorities are
underrepresent
ed in STEM
education.2
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library

5. Minority
students’ STEM
test scores are
consistently
below white
peers’.2
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library

6. It’s not about aptitude.
It’s about preparation, access,
and motivation. 2
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library

7. Diverse STEAM = Early Exposure 3
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library

8. Diverse STEAM = Interest-
Building3
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library

9. Diverse STEAM = Culturally
Relevant 3
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library
Demographics of American schoolchildren (ages 3-13) 4

10. Diverse STEAM = Culturally
Relevant 3
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library

11. Diverse STEAM = Culturally
Relevant 3
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library
+ +

12. Partnerships are your golden ticket.
• science & children’s museums5
• zoos, aquariums, & animal sanctuaries5
• botanical gardens5
• interest/amateur clubs5
• local businesses5
• community organizations
• STEAM professionals
• STEAM students
Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library

13. References
1. Jemison, M. (2002). Mae Jemison: Teach arts and sciences together [video].
Retrieved from
http://www.ted.com/talks/mae_jemison_on_teaching_arts_and_sciences_togeth
er
2. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute
of Medicine. (2011). Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation:
America’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads. Washington, DC:
The National Academies Press.
3. Museus, S.D., Palmer, R.T, Davis, R.J., & Maramba, D.. (2011). Factors in K-12
Education That Influence the Success of Racial and Ethnic Minority Students in
the STEM Circuit. Racial and Ethnic Minority Student Success in STEM
Education: ASHE Higher Education Report, 36(6), 27-52.
4. U.S. Census Bureau. (2013). Current Population Survey, October 2013. Table 1.
Enrollment Status of the Population 3 Years Old and Over, by Sex, Age, Race,
Hispanic Origin, Foreign Born, and Foreign-Born Parentage: October 2013.
5. Koester, A. (2014). Tap the STEM Resources in Your Community! [Blog] ALSC
Blog. Retrieved from: http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2014/07/tap-the-stem-
resources-in-your-community/ Amy Koester
Skokie Public Library