What is STEAM, and how does

diversity fit in?

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

What is STEAM, and how does

diversity fit in?

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

“The arts and sciences are

avatars of human creativity.”- Mae Jemison1

Minorities are

underrepresent

ed in STEM

fields.2

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

Minorities are

underrepresent

ed in STEM

education.2

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

Minority

students’ STEM

test scores are

consistently

below white

peers’.2

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

It’s not about aptitude.

It’s about preparation, access,

and motivation. 2

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

Diverse STEAM = Early Exposure 3

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

Diverse STEAM = Interest-

Building3

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

Diverse STEAM = Culturally

Relevant 3

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

Demographics of American schoolchildren (ages 3-13) 4

Diverse STEAM = Culturally

Relevant 3

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

Diverse STEAM = Culturally

Relevant 3

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

+ +

Partnerships are your golden ticket.

• science & children’s museums5

• zoos, aquariums, & animal sanctuaries5

• botanical gardens5

• interest/amateur clubs5

• local businesses5

• community organizations

• STEAM professionals

• STEAM students

Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library

References1. Jemison, M. (2002). Mae Jemison: Teach arts and sciences together [video].

Retrieved from

http://www.ted.com/talks/mae_jemison_on_teaching_arts_and_sciences_togeth

er

2. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute

of Medicine. (2011). Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation:

America’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads. Washington, DC:

The National Academies Press.

3. Museus, S.D., Palmer, R.T, Davis, R.J., & Maramba, D.. (2011). Factors in K-12

Education That Influence the Success of Racial and Ethnic Minority Students in

the STEM Circuit. Racial and Ethnic Minority Student Success in STEM

Education: ASHE Higher Education Report, 36(6), 27-52.

4. U.S. Census Bureau. (2013). Current Population Survey, October 2013. Table 1.

Enrollment Status of the Population 3 Years Old and Over, by Sex, Age, Race,

Hispanic Origin, Foreign Born, and Foreign-Born Parentage: October 2013.

5. Koester, A. (2014). Tap the STEM Resources in Your Community! [Blog] ALSC

Blog. Retrieved from: http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2014/07/tap-the-stem-

resources-in-your-community/ Amy Koester

Skokie Public Library