Presentations
Final Program
Download the final online Public Libraries & STEM conference program. Click on the title of a presentation to view the abstract.
Presenter's Slides and Posters
All times are noted in Mountain Daylight Time.
All events were held at The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel unless otherwise noted
| Wednesday, August 19, 2015 | ||
| 3:00 p.m. | Plaza Lobby | Check-in (until 5 pm MDT) |
| 5:00 p.m. | Spruce | STEM Icebreaker Activities featuring KEVA planks |
| Thursday, August 20, 2015 | ||
| 7:00 a.m. | Majestic Foyer | Check-in |
| 7:30 a.m. | Majestic Foyer | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Welcome Remarks |
| 8:50 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | STEM Learning: Reflection and Discussion Semmel M. Joining Forces to Make a Difference in STEM Learning [#1081] Falk J. STEM Learning: A Lifelong, Life-Wide View [#1087] |
| 10:10 a.m. | Majestic Foyer | Break |
| 10:25 a.m. | Beverly | 21st Century Visions of STEM Learning in Public Libraries Considine S. C. A Strategic Team Approach to Developing STEM Services and Spaces in a Community Compton E. A. Make It at the Library! |
| 10:25 a.m. | Capital | Building a Foundation for Evaluation and Research for STEM Learning in Public Libraries |
| 10:25 a.m. | Columbine | Effective Collaboration Models Between Libraries and STEM Organizations Forsyth S. * Introduction Skidmore E. S. * The Cycle of Intentionality: An Effective Collaboration Model Rokos S. Z. * Science @ the Library LaConte K. M. * Bringing STEM to Libraries Through the Explore Program: A Model for Responsive Collaboration Chilson S. J. * STEM in the Public Library — Start Small, Grow Big! Solórzano R. M. * Delivering Specialized STEM Programming via Makerspace Activities and Local Partnerships Klein E. * Little Did We Know: The Challenges and Achievements of a Seattle Public Library/Pacific Science Center Partnership |
| 10:25 a.m. | Terrace | Strategies for Reaching Groups Underrepresented in STEM Fields |
| 11:10 a.m. | Vail | Poster Session I Posters Demonstrations |
| 12:15 p.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Lunch (Keynote Adress) |
| 1:15 p.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Hakala J. National STEM Library Survey Results |
| 2:00 p.m. | Breakout Rooms | Breakout Discussions: Keys for Successful STEM Implementation |
| 3:00 p.m. | Majestic Foyer | Break |
| 3:30 p.m. | Denver Public Library Conference Center | Breakout Discussions: Reports and Whole-Group Discussion |
| 4:00 p.m. | Denver Public Library Conference Center | Lankes D.
Expect More: Why Libraries Cannot Become STEM Educators [#1088] |
| 4:30 p.m. | Denver Public Library Conference Center | Transformation of Public Libraries for the Digital Age |
| 5:00 p.m. | Denver Public Library Vida Ellison Gallery | Tour and Reception |
| Friday, August 21, 2015 | ||
| 7:30 a.m. | Majestic Foyer | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:20 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | STEM Icebreaker Activity |
| 8:30 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Reflection and Discussion of Day 1 |
| 8:50 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Reaching Underserved Communities and Underrepresented Populations |
| 9:50 a.m. | Majestic Foyer | Break |
| 10:10 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Effective Collaboration Models Between Libraries and STEM Organizations West R. M. The Rationale for STEM Organizations to Collaborate with Libraries [#1067] McCreedy D. LEAP into Science: A National Collaboration Supporting STEM and Literacy in Out-of-School Time [#1083] Braha J. Elements of Successful Collaborations to Engage Scientists and Public Audiences [#1082] Glass M. Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums: Case Studies in Collaboration [#1091] |
| 11:10 a.m. | Vail | Poster Session II: Outward- and Forward-Looking Efforts Posters |
| 12:15 p.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Lunch (Key Note Address) |
| 1:15 p.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Rainie L. *
The Next Library [#1080] |
| 2:00 p.m. | Breakout Rooms | Breakout Discussions: Topics to be Determined by Participants |
| 3:00 p.m. | Majestic Foyer | Break |
| 3:20 p.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Breakout Discussions: Reports and Whole-Group Discussion |
| 3:50 p.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Penuel W. * Evaluating STEM Programs in Public Institutions in Communities: Focusing on Equity [#1090] |
| 4:30 p.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Open Forum: Evaluating the Impact of STEM Programs in Libraries |
| 4:45 p.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Open Forum |
| 6:00 p.m. | Denver Museum of Nature and Science | Reception and Banquet (Keynote Address) |
| Saturday, August 22, 2015 | ||
| 7:30 a.m. | Majestic Foyer | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Reflection and Discussion of Day 2 |
| 8:50 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Trending….STEM and Libraries: Learning with the ALA’s Center for the Future of Libraries |
| 9:30 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Funding and Resources for Moving Forward Toro S. Funders’ Forum [#1078] Troxel G. Research and Evaluation Resources on InformalScience.org [#1069] Owens T. Successful Projects Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [#1086] Jennings W. Successful Projects Funded by the National Science Foundation [#1085] |
| 10:10 a.m. | Majestic Foyer | Break |
| 10:30 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | STEM Learning in Libraries |
| 10:50 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Whole-Group Discussion: Next Steps |
| 11:30 a.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Closing Remarks |
| 12:00 p.m. | Majestic Ballroom | Close |
Conference Topics
TOPIC 1: 21st Century Visions of STEM Learning in Public Libraries
Oral presentations, poster presentations, and discussions under this topic 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 and other library staff to facilitate STEM learning and 2) promoting interest, engagement, and literacy of library patrons. Discussions around this topic 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 focus on the lessons learned in implementing STEM learning experiences in libraries or with libraries as partners. Presenters 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 highlight “scalable” and “spreadable” collaborations (local and/or national) to provide STEM learning experiences. Presenters 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 highlight effective principles for collaboration, including strategies for managing and sustaining partnerships and collaborations.
TOPIC 4: Strategies for Reaching Groups Underrepresented in STEM Fields
Libraries and other informal STEM education providers seek to effectively engage underrepresented audiences in learning opportunities. Oral presentations, poster presentations, and discussions under this topic 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 all 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 share what is currently known about the nature of STEM learning in public libraries and how learning impacts are evaluated across all library types. Presentations also 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 begin to map an agenda for future STEM learning research and evaluation in public libraries.
