First-ever Public Libraries & STEM Conference
August 20-22
Denver, Colorado
This conference, hosted by the Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL), in partnership with the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), will bring library and STEM professionals and funders together to build productive relationships; explore promising practices in designing effective programs; help define a new 21st century vision of STEM learning in public libraries; and develop a foundation for a future evaluation and research agenda for libraries and their partners engaged in STEM education efforts. The conference is expected to attract approximately 150 participants.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Create an account and submit your presentation title, author(s), and abstract.
TOPIC 1: 21st Century Visions of STEM Learning in Public Libraries
Oral presentations, poster presentations, and discussions under this topic will focus on how the following contribute to a broader ecosystem that supports STEM learning: 1) the development of the profession and the needs of librarians helping facilitate STEM learning and 2) promoting interest, engagement, and literacy of library users and patrons. Discussions around this topic will focus on defining what STEM learning in a 21st century library looks like in terms of space, staffing, management, and connections to the community and other organizations.
TOPIC 2: Case Studies of Successful STEM Implementation in Libraries
Poster presentations under this topic will focus on the lessons learned in implementing STEM learning experiences in libraries or with libraries as partners. Presenters are invited to share tools, resources, strategies, outcomes, and community impacts that others can use. Conference participants should walk away not only with solid “nuts and bolts” ideas, but also with an understanding of implications and relevance to aid them in applying lessons learned as they implement their own initiatives.
TOPIC 3: Effective Collaboration Models between Libraries and STEM Organizations
Oral presentations, poster presentations, and discussions under this topic will highlight “scalable” and “spreadable” collaborations (local and/or national) to provide STEM learning experiences. Presenters are invited to share examples of ways in which public libraries and STEM organizations (e.g., science museums, STEM professional associations, universities/colleges, schools, research institutions, state and federal agencies) are working together to increase access to and availability of quality STEM learning opportunities in urban, rural, and low-income communities. Presentations should highlight effective principles for collaboration, including strategies for managing and sustaining partnerships and collaborations.
TOPIC 4: Strategies for Reaching Groups Underrepresented in STEM Fields
Informal STEM education providers (including libraries) continually seek to effectively engage underrepresented audiences in learning opportunities. Oral presentations, poster presentations, and discussions under this topic will highlight evidence-based practices and key strategies for designing and developing successful in-reach/out-reach interactions to engage targeted audiences in relevant, mindful, and active learning. This topic strand offers an excellent opportunity for libraries and other informal education institutions to share and learn from each other’s successful efforts at engaging underrepresented audiences in STEM learning.
TOPIC 5: Building a Foundation for Evaluation and Research for STEM Learning in Public Libraries
Oral presentations, poster presentations, and discussions under this topic will share what is currently known about the nature of STEM learning in public libraries and other relevant informal education settings. Presentations will examine the critical factors that lead to rich and effective STEM learning experiences in libraries and compare them with the corresponding impacts from other informal education institutions. Discussions will begin to map an agenda for future STEM learning research and evaluation in public libraries.
Abstract Deadline — Thursday, April 2, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
· Abstracts sent by e-mail will NOT be considered.
· Abstracts are limited to 1500 characters.
· All abstracts must be submitted in plain text format.
· All participants are welcome to submit an abstract for a poster. However, oral presentations are by invitation ONLY.
· Indicate your interest in receiving a stipend following your participation (should funding become available) on the abstract submission form.
· Indicate whether you would like to serve as a session chair by selecting “yes” or “no” on the abstract submission form.
For technical assistance, contact Linda Tanner (281-486-2142), or send an e-mail message to publish@hou.usra.edu.
