scholarly journals Building Upon the STEM Movement: Programming Recommendations for Library Professionals

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Shtivelband ◽  
Lauren Riendeau ◽  
Robert Jakubowski
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Free Choice ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Stem Programs ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Children's Librarians ◽  
Free Choice Learning ◽  
And Mathematics

A growing body of evidence is showing that youth develop their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through participation in activities across the informal and free-choice learning environments found in libraries.1 Many libraries have joined a national movement in which libraries deliver STEM programming to youth.2 Public libraries are a place for STEM learning,3 and children’s librarians are uniquely positioned to promote a love of STEM learning among youth through such programs. The benefits of STEM programming in public libraries are promising.4 For example, participating youth can become proficient in key STEM content and skills, such as critical thinking and engineering design processes.It is critical to youth and community success that these existing STEM programs continue to grow and expand. Public libraries are an ideal location for these programs. They provide a familiar and trusted learning environment for diverse and underserved families.5 Providing children’s librarians with a “six strand” framework will help guide the successful expansion of these fun and engaging STEM programs.6 This article provides specific recommendations and resources to help prepare and support librarians feel in adopting and implementing STEM in their programming.

Connecting STEM Rich Learning Environments With Environmental Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 213-232
Author(s):  
Ellen Hamilton-Ford ◽  
Jeffrey D. Herron
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Stem Programs ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Large Complex ◽  
And Mathematics

The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of research in the convergence of environmental education and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (E-STEM) education models through a values-based framework for nature. An argument for the interconnectedness of environmental education and STEM programs is presented. A further argument presented that nature-based learning environments engage children in E-STEM. Lastly, an exploration of research suggests how various pedagogical practices incorporate and facilitate the E-STEM paradigm to prepare young children for 21st century workforce that can solve large, complex problems in an information and service-based economy.

scholarly journals Expanding the Boundaries of Informal Education Programs: An Investigation of the Role of Pre and Post-education Program Experiences and Dispositions on Youth STEM Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Falk ◽  
David D. Meier
Keyword(s):  
Outdoor Education ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Stem Programs ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
How People Learn ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Almost All

For generations educators have been supporting children and youth’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning through informal education programming. Such programming includes a wide variety of outdoor education programs, camp programs, and increasingly targeted STEM programs run afterschool, on weekends, and over the summer months. However, despite the positive impacts these programs have, few would argue that these programs could not be improved or be designed to better meet the needs of a broader and more diverse population of learners. Arguably, one major flaw in how most educators have approached the design and improvement of these programs—a flaw that permeates almost all informal STEM education efforts–is that either explicitly or implicitly, the focus of educators has been exclusively on what happens during the program itself. Superficially this seems reasonable. After all, the time children/youth are within the temporal and physical boundaries of the program, class, or museum is the time when educators have maximal control over events. However, given what is known about how people learn (National Academies of Sciences, 2018), we argue that this long-standing approach needs to be reconsidered.

scholarly journals Out of the Pickle: Promoting Food Science and STEM in Public Libraries

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-114
Author(s):  
Dawn States
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Statistical Information ◽  
Food Science ◽  
Science Program ◽  
School Students ◽  
Stem Programs ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics

This article explores the popularity of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) movement and provides related statistical information as well as a projection of the future importance and impact of STEM. This article summarizes the significance and need for STEM both locally and nationally, focusing food science in public libraries to increase and maintain interest among secondary school students. This article furnishes an overview of how a food science program was implemented at Martin Library and how this same programming is scalable for any size library. In addition, this article provides an overview of how libraries across the nation and Martin library are providing vital STEM programs to communities. 

IMPLEMENTING STEM APPROACH IN KINDERGARDEN

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 236-243
Author(s):  
Ivelina Velcheva ◽  
◽  
Kosta Garov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Process ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Kindergarten Curriculum

The following work is devoted to the description of an innovative approach to kindergarten learning through the application of the methods of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, better known as STEM learning. The aim of the work is to increase popularity of the approach and stimulate teachers to implement it more often in the learning process. STEM increases children’s knowledge and skills, thanks to the interdisciplinarity, research approach, learning by playing, learning by doing, project-based and problem-based learning and the opportunity for touching to real-life situations. This paper addresses the main principles of STEM and the possibilities for realization different STEM situations, based on the kindergarten curriculum. Different digital tools are described, like programmable toys and devices and LEGO constructors. Various ideas for conducting experiments are presented, too. They are useful for increasing children’s motivation and interest in the approach. An example version of a plan for work on a STEM project is proposed, which includes the steps for its implementation and which is adapted to the expected learning results in the kindergarten.

scholarly journals Representation of Industry in Introductory Biology Textbooks: A Missed Opportunity to Advance STEM Learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. ar61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharotka M. Simon ◽  
Helen Meldrum ◽  
Eric Ndung’u ◽  
Fred D. Ledley
Keyword(s):  
Text Analysis ◽  
Business Practice ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Introductory Biology ◽  
Undergraduate Biology ◽  
Biology Textbooks ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Missed Opportunity

The majority of students who enroll in undergraduate biology courses will eventually be employed in non-STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) business occupations. This work explores how representations of industry in undergraduate biology textbooks could impact STEM learning for these students and their ability to apply this learning in their chosen work. We used text analysis to identify passages with references to industry in 29 textbooks. Each passage was categorized for relevance to health or environment, for implied positive or negative connotations, and for descriptions of synergy or conflict between science and industry. We found few passages describing applications of STEM learning in non-STEM business occupations and a paucity of content to support context-based learning for students aiming at business careers. A significant number of passages embodied negative connotations regarding industry. Notable passages highlighted irregular or fraudulent business practices or included simplistic caricatures of business practice. We discuss how the representation of industry in these textbooks may impact student engagement, context-based learning, the ability of students to critically apply STEM learning in industry or business occupations, and heuristics that guide intuitive perceptions about the intersection between science and industry.

Computational Thinking in K–12

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuchi Grover ◽  
Roy Pea
Keyword(s):  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Stem Learning ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Current State ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12

Jeannette Wing’s influential article on computational thinking 6 years ago argued for adding this new competency to every child’s analytical ability as a vital ingredient of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning. What is computational thinking? Why did this article resonate with so many and serve as a rallying cry for educators, education researchers, and policy makers? How have they interpreted Wing’s definition, and what advances have been made since Wing’s article was published? This article frames the current state of discourse on computational thinking in K–12 education by examining mostly recently published academic literature that uses Wing’s article as a springboard, identifies gaps in research, and articulates priorities for future inquiries.

Reinventing Another Unaipon: Indigenous Science Leaders for the Future

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-225
Author(s):  
Karen Trimmer ◽  
Graeme Gower ◽  
Graeme Lock
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Indigenous Science ◽  
Stem Programs ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Education Science ◽  
Australian Universities

The education of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students in Australian universities has received considerable attention in both the literature and government policy in the 21st century. The participation and graduation rates for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students in higher education Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs have remained low and are becoming a particular focus in universities across Australia. This paper reflects on the life and contribution of David Unaipon, the enrolment data from a small sample of universities across Australia and the literature to discuss potential strategies for improving the access to, participation in and graduation from higher education STEM courses.

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