These slides accompanied a keynote presentation at the Missouri Association of School Librarians Fall Professional Development Day 2016.

1. STEAM in the Library
MASL 2016
Amy Koester

2. A Bit About Me
Youth & Family Program Supervisor at Skokie
Public Library
Before that, a branch children’s librarian with
St. Charles City-County Library District
STEAM trainings include articles, webinars,
conference sessions, toolkit, & an online
course

3. Our Agenda
1. STEAM & the Library: Setting the
Foundation
2. STEAM for Elementary Students
3. STEAM for Teen Students
4. Major Takeaways
5. Time for Questions

4. STEAM & the Library

5. What is STEAM?

6. Adding the “A”
STEM learning emphasis (late 80s, early
90s)
“The arts and sciences are avatars of human
creativity.” ~Mae Jemison (early 2000s)
“The problem-solving, the fearlessness, and
the critical thinking and making skills.”
~John Maeda (early 2010s)

7. Adding the “A”
STEM learning emphasis (late 80s, early
90s)
“The arts and sciences are avatars of human
creativity.” ~Mae Jemison (early 2000s)
“The problem-solving, the fearlessness, and
the critical thinking and making skills.”
~John Maeda (early 2010s)

8. Adding the “A”
STEM learning emphasis (late 80s, early
90s)
“The arts and sciences are avatars of human
creativity.” ~Mae Jemison (early 2000s)
“The problem-solving, the fearlessness, and
the critical thinking and making skills.”
~John Maeda (early 2010s)

9. Arts ≠ Crafts
image from “Coloured Pencils” by openclipart user rewarriner, Creative Commons licensed

10. Arts ≠ Crafts
images from “Coloured Pencils” by openclipart user rewarriner, and “No-sign X” (modified) by openclipart user skotan, both Creative Commons licensed

11. Why STEAM in the
Library?

12. Why STEAM in the
Library?
Literacy is multifaceted.
The library is a hub for
connected learning.
“Let’s find out” mindset.

13. Why STEAM in the
Library?
Literacy is multifaceted.
The library is a hub for
connected learning.
“Let’s find out” mindset.

14. Why STEAM in the
Library?
Literacy is multifaceted.
The library is a hub for
connected learning.
“Let’s find out” mindset.

15. Why STEAM in the
Library?
Literacy is multifaceted.
The library is a hub for
connected learning.
“Let’s find out” mindset.

16. Why STEAM in the
Library?
STEAM success isn’t about
aptitude. It’s about:
Preparation
Access
Motivation

17. Why STEAM in the
Library?
STEAM success isn’t about
aptitude. It’s about:
Preparation
Access
Motivation

18. Why STEAM in the
Library?
STEAM success isn’t about
aptitude. It’s about:
Preparation
Access
Motivation

19. Why STEAM in the
Library?
STEAM success isn’t about
aptitude. It’s about:
Preparation
Access
Motivation

20. Why STEAM in the
Library?
STEAM success isn’t about
aptitude. It’s about:
Preparation
Access
Motivation

21. Quick Thoughts About
Where & How
A repurposed office space is great, but not
necessary. All you really need is a table.

22. Let me tell
you a story.

23. You don’t need to be an expert.
You need to be an advocate.

24. You don’t need to be an expert.
You need to be an advocate.

25. STEAM for
Elementary Students

26. Why?
‣ Deepen concept knowledge.
‣ Promote the collection.
‣ Facilitate interest.
‣ Engage “reluctant” readers.

27. Where?
‣ Class activities
‣ “Station” activities
‣ Take-home activities

28. Elementary
Science
Deepen concept knowledge
Demos & hands-on are key
Test & observe
Tie to resources

29. Elementary
Technology
Provide equipment with
basic instruction
Give space & parameters to
create
Encourage peer-learning
Show off creations

30. Elementary
Engineering
Pose a challenge (that’s
maybe a bit hard)
Provide space, materials, &
time
Test & show off creations

31. Elementary
Arts
Infuse arts with STEM
Include a brief concept
introduction
Leave room for creativity

32. Elementary
Math
Make math part of a
project or activity
Make it visual & interactive
Scaffold across abilities

33. BIG IDEA:
Family STEAM events!

34. BIG IDEA:
Family STEAM kits!

35. STEAM for Teen
Students

36. Why?
‣ Deepen concept knowledge.
‣ Promote the collection & resources.
‣ Encourage personal interest.
‣ Enable seeing themselves as scientists.

37. Where?
‣ Class activities
‣ “Station” activities
‣ Afterschool activities & clubs

38. Teen Science
Reinforce concept
knowledge
Hands-on with resources is
optimal
Test & observe
Tie to resources
Bring in guest experts

39. Teen
Technology
Provide equipment with
basic instruction
Emphasize opportunities to
use technology for a goal
Encourage peer-learning &
community
Show off creations
Bring in guest experts

40. Teen
Engineering
Pose a challenge (that’s
maybe a bit hard)
Provide space, materials, &
time
Be open to providing real
tools—safely
Test & show off creations
Bring in guest experts

41. Teen Arts
Infuse arts with STEM
Include a brief concept
introduction
Leave room for creativity
Encourage discussion of
creations after
Bring in guest experts

42. Teen Math
Make math part of a larger
project/challenge
Visual and hands-on is vital
Be ready to modify across
abilities
Bring in guest experts

43. BIG IDEA:
Tap into teens as mentors!

44. Major
Takeaways
1. Provide preparation,
access, & motivation
2. Support a culture of
learning by trying
3. Emphasize out-of-
school STEAM

45. Major
Takeaways
1. Provide preparation,
access, & motivation
2. Support a culture of
learning by trying
3. Emphasize out-of-
school STEAM

46. Major
Takeaways
1. Provide preparation,
access, & motivation
2. Support a culture of
learning by trying
3. Emphasize out-of-
school STEAM

47. Major
Takeaways
1. Provide preparation,
access, & motivation
2. Support a culture of
learning by trying
3. Emphasize out-of-
school STEAM

48. Questions?

49. Contact Info
Amy Koester
amy.e.koester@gmail.com
http://showmelibrarian.blogspot.com
@amyeileenk

50. Further Reading
‣ “Every Child Is Born A Scientist” from Marcelo Gleiser on NPR 13.7 Cosmos And Culture
‣ “From STEM to STEAM: Science and Art Go Hand-in-Hand” from Steven Ross Pomeroy on
Scientific American
‣ “Full STEAM Ahead: Injecting Art and Creativity into STEM” from Amy Koester on
School Library Journal
‣ “How Minecraft & Duct Tape Wallets Prepare Our Kids for Jobs That Don’t Exist Yet” from
Zach Klein on EdSurge
‣ “Improving STEM Curriculum and Instruction: Engaging Students and Raising Standards”
from Successful STEM Education Initiative, a National Research Council report funded by
the National Science Foundation
‣ “Students Learn STEM Subjects Better When They’re Taught This Strange Detail in the
Process” from Kathleen Wong on Mic.com
‣ “Why Kids Need to Tinker to Learn” from Katrina Schwartz, on Mind/Shift