These slides accompanied a 3-hour workshop through the Montana State Library in Helena, MT, September 2014.

1. STEAM & the Makerspace:
Engaging Programs & Services for Youth
Amy Koester

2. A Bit About Me
Youth & Family Program Coordinator at Skokie
Public Library
Before that, a branch children’s librarian in
Missouri
STEAM trainings include articles, webinars,
conference sessions, & an online course
It’s my first time in Montana!

3. Our Agenda
1. STEAM & the Library
2. Preschool STEAM*
3. School-age STEAM*
4. Unpacking the
Makerspace
5. Maker activities*
6. Go-To Resources
7. Time for Questions
!
!
*includes hands-on component

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. No Expertise Necessary
image modified from “We Can Do It!” by openclipart user worker, Creative Commons licensed

12. Why STEAM in the Library?

13. Why STEAM in the Library?
Literacy is multifaceted.
Lifelong learning is all
ages.
Interest is a powerful
motivator.

14. Why STEAM in the Library?
Literacy is multifaceted.
Lifelong learning is all
ages.
Interest is a powerful
motivator.

15. Why STEAM in the Library?
Literacy is multifaceted.
Lifelong learning is all
ages.
Interest is a powerful
motivator.

16. Preschool STEAM

17. Why?
‣ Introduce
fundamental
concepts.
‣ Promote collections.
‣ Facilitate interest.

18. Why?
‣ Introduce
fundamental
concepts.
‣ Promote collections.
‣ Facilitate interest.

19. Why?
‣ Introduce
fundamental
concepts.
‣ Promote collections.
‣ Facilitate interest.

20. Where?
‣ Existing programs
‣ Stand-alone programs
‣ Activity stations

21. Preschool Science
Pick a concept &
explore:
book
talk & questions
hands-on activities
Promote observation
Include vocabulary

22. Preschool Science
Stand-alone program:
Weather science
Program modifications:
Add nonfiction
component
Sub experiment for craft
Activity station:
Ant farm

23. Preschool Technology
Technology = Tool
Explore a range of tech
Create something
Promote joint media
engagement

24. Preschool Technology
Stand-alone program:
Content creation
Program modifications:
Picture book apps
Simple machines to
solve problems
Activity station:
Explore realia

25. Preschool Engineering
Pose a challenge
Give space, materials, &
time to work it out
Encourage to compare &
contrast
Encourage modification

26. Preschool Engineering
Stand-alone programs:
Sink or float boats
Block party
Program modification:
Building name game
Activity station:
Recreate a story
component

27. Preschool Arts
Infuse STEM into art
Process vs. product
Let kids choose &
explore media
Be open-ended

28. Preschool Arts
Stand-alone program:
Painting with forces
Program modifications:
Paper chain measuring
Pattern art
Activity station:
Play dough sculptures

29. Preschool Math
Developmentally
appropriate practice
(DAP) is key
Offer games & activities
Work math in
everywhere

30. Preschool Math
Stand-alone program:
Shape scavenger hunt
Program modifications:
Counting rhymes
Sorting activities
Activity station:
Measuring animals

31. image modified from “Finger pointing lady” by openclipart user liftarn, Creative Commons licensed

32. Food color acts like
moisture in clouds
Color comes off the
Skittles
Vocab:
precipitation,
observation

33. School-Age STEAM

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

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

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

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

38. Where?
!
‣ Stand-alone programs
‣ Program activities
‣ Take-home activities

39. School-Age Science
Deepen concept
knowledge
Demos & hands-on are
key
Test & observe
Tie to resources

40. School-Age Science
Stand-alone programs:
Airplane science
Slime science
Program activity:
Air ships
Take-home activity:
Nature journal

41. School-Age Technology
Provide equipment with
basic instruction
Give space & parameters
to create
Encourage peer-learning
Show off to caregivers

42. School-Age Technology
Stand-alone programs:
MaKey MaKey &
Scratch
Squishy circuits
Program activity:
Soldering (with
supervision)

43. School-Age Engineering
Pose a challenge (that’s
maybe a bit hard)
Provide space, materials,
& time
Test & show off
creations

44. School-Age Engineering
Stand-alone programs:
Egg drop
Marble run mania
Program activity:
LEGO creations
Take-home activity:
Brown bag challenge

45. School-Age Arts
Infuse arts with STEM
Include a brief concept
introduction
Leave room for
creativity

46. School-Age Arts
Stand-alone programs:
Camouflage
Art aliens
Program activity:
Light painting
Take-home activity:
Constellation books
image from Brad Jones, Skokie Public Library, on LittleeLit.com

47. School-Age Math
Make math part of a
larger activity
Be as visual as possible
Scaffold across abilities

48. School-Age Math
Stand-alone programs:
Art market
Life-size board games
Program activity:
Bedtime Math
components
Take-home activity:
Tangrams

49. image modified from “Finger pointing lady” by openclipart user liftarn, Creative Commons licensed

50. Use washable
markers to create a
camo pattern, water
to blur it
Vocab: concealing
coloration

52. Unpacking the
Makerspace

53. The Maker Attitude
Explore new skills!
Create something meaningful!
could be a product…
or an experience…

54. Why Make in the Library?
A new way of offering
programs & services
Promote lifelong
learning
Facilitate community
engagement
The third space

55. Why Make in the Library?
A new way of offering
programs & services
Promote lifelong
learning
Facilitate community
engagement
The third space

56. Why Make in the Library?
A new way of offering
programs & services
Promote lifelong
learning
Facilitate community
engagement
The third space

57. Why Make in the Library?
A new way of offering
programs & services
Promote lifelong
learning
Facilitate community
engagement
The third space

58. The Maker Toolkit
Interactive activities
Variety of supplies
Plenty of time
(Space)
(Display space)
image modified from “Gear tools” by openclipart user ben, Creative Commons licensed

59. Space is Negotiable
Carve out a formal space
Repurpose spaces
Make it mobile
image from Karen Jensen, Teen Librarian Toolbox, used with permission

60. The Maker Spectrum
Low-tech = materials primarily on hand,
minimal prior experience with the activities
Medium-tech = some specialty materials, some
prior experience with the activities
High-tech = significant supplies investment,
expertise is a huge plus

61. The Maker Spectrum
Low-tech = materials primarily on hand,
minimal prior experience with the activities
Medium-tech = some specialty materials, some
prior experience with the activities
High-tech = significant supplies investment,
expertise is a huge plus

62. Maker Activities

63. Low-Tech Making:
Build Something
Gingerbread Houses
milk cartons
graham crackers, icing,
candy decor
LEGO Club
LEGO bricks
(challenge)
(display space)

64. Low-Tech Making:
Design Challenge
Marshmallow Towers
marshmallows
toothpicks and/or
dried pasta
Mini Mazes
cardboard
drinking straws
tape & scissors

65. Low-Tech Making:
Craft & Create
Cardmaking
paper
art supplies
papercraft books
Duct Tape Fashion
duct tape
craft books (and/or
YouTube)

66. Low-Tech Making:
Build a World
Recycled Doll Houses
cardboard
old magazines
scissors & glue
Paper Towns
town templates
scissors

67. Medium-Tech Making:
Get Wired
MaKey MaKey
MaKey MaKey kits
computer with USB
port
Snap Circuits
Snap Circuits kits
challenge projects

68. Medium-Tech Making:
It’s Alive!
Art Bots
electric toothbrushes
pool noodles
markers & electric tape
Bristle Bots
Bristle Bot party pack
tools
race course

69. Medium-Tech Making:
Digital Creation
Stop Motion Animation
digital camera
editing software
figurines & props
Disaster Movies
tablet with FX app
space to film

70. image modified from “Finger pointing lady” by openclipart user liftarn, Creative Commons licensed

71. Think about shapes…

72. Go-To Resources

73. Books
Janice Van Cleave
Kids Can Press
Gail Gibbons
Steve Jenkins
Melissa Stewart

74. Blogs
Library Makers
Abby the Librarian
Read Sing Play
Library Bonanza
Never Shushed
Teach Preschool
PreKinders
So Tomorrow
Teen Librarian Toolbox
Gadgets, Gizmos, &
Goo (G3): The Mad
Scientists Club
The Show Me Librarian

75. Websites
Steve Spangler
Science
Little eLit
Family Engineering
Start With a Book
Wonderopolis
Mixing in Math
Bedtime Math
Make It @ Your
Library
TinkerLab
Pinterest

76. Community Players
Community Experts
STEM Careers
Artists
Local Businesses
Local Hobby Groups
Local Museums, etc.
Botanic Gardens
Science Centers
Children’s
Museums

77. Funding
Friends of the Library
LSTA Grants
Other Grants (via LEGO
Education)
Donations
Local Business Support

78. Let’s Recap

79. images modified from (clockwise L to R) “thinkingboy outline” by openclipart user ryanlerch, “aiga information” by openclipart user jean_victor_balin, and “Icon with question mark” by openclipart user purzen, all Creative Commons licensed

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

81. 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
‣ Improving STEM Curriculum and Instruction: Engaging Students and
Raising Standards, Successful STEM Education Initiative, a National
Research Council report funded by the National Science Foundation
‣ “What does STEM look like in preschool and what is STEM anyway?” from
Deborah J. Stewart, M.Ed., on Teach Preschool
‣ “Why Kids Need to Tinker to Learn” from Katrina Schwartz, on Mind/Shift