STEM Learning in Libraries: A National Conference on Needs, Opportunities, and Future Directions

作为在非正式环境中加强学习的总体战略的一部分，推进非正式STEM学习(AISL)计划为各种环境中使用的创新资源提供资金。该项目名为“STEM在图书馆的学习：关于需求、机会和未来方向的全国会议”，将图书馆、非正式教育工作者以及STEM教育和研究组织聚集在一起，讨论图书馆在STEM课外时间(OST)教育中的作用，分享现有的计划，定义图书馆的需求，并制定研究和评估议程。到目前为止，还没有系统地探讨STEM方案编制在图书馆中进行的方式，也没有系统地探讨它们在发生时的有效性。这将是此类会议中的第一次，具有很高的知名度和产生广泛影响的潜力。国家互动学习中心主任兼空间科学研究所执行主任、首席研究员保罗·杜森贝里将领导一个经验丰富的项目小组，成员包括月球行星研究所的Co-Pi Keliann LaConte、美国图书馆协会公共项目办公室的Susan Brandehoff和国家互动学习中心的Anne Holland。会议将围绕四个方面组织：(1)展示成功的STEM项目，并回顾公共图书馆非正式STEM学习的研究和评估结果；(2)研究公共图书馆当前的需求、障碍和机会；(3)阐明公共图书馆在21世纪未来可能扮演的角色；以及(4)确定有前景的做法和战略。从由项目团队和组织委员会组成的核心成员开始，该项目将为图书馆馆长、图书馆学教育工作者和政策制定者以及STEM专业人员和教育工作者创建一个领导论坛。会议结果将通过各种组织网站传播：NCIL、ALA、LPI、会议网站、STAR-Net在线社区和CAISE。2010年，17,000家公共图书馆有近16亿人次访问。图书馆读者是这个国家人口的真实反映--他们服务于这个国家的所有种族、年龄、经济背景和地区。STEM图书馆学习大会将为公共图书馆、STEM组织、非正式教育工作者和资助者提供机会，开始对话，深刻影响数百万美国人对STEM主题的态度。

As part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments, the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program funds innovative resources for use in a variety of settings. This project, "STEM Learning in Libraries: A National Conference on Needs, Opportunities, and Future Directions," brings together libraries, informal educators and STEM education and research organizations to discuss the role of libraries in STEM out-of-school time (OST) education, share existing programs, define library needs, and develop a research and evaluation agenda. To date, there has not been systematic exploration of the ways that STEM programming occurs in libraries nor of their effectiveness when they do happen. This will be the first conference of its kind and stands to have a high degree of visibility and the potential for broad impact. Principal Investigator Paul Dusenbery, Director of the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) and Executive Director of Space Science Institute, will lead an experienced project team that includes Co-PI Keliann LaConte, Lunar Planetary Institute; Susan Brandehoff, Public Programs Office, American Library Association; and Anne Holland, NCIL. The conference sessions will be organized around four strands: (1) showcasing successful STEM programs and reviewing research and evaluation results on informal STEM learning in public libraries; (2) examining the current needs, barriers, and opportunities of public libraries; (3) elucidating the possible future roles of public libraries in the 21st Century; and (4) identifying promising practices and strategies. Beginning with core members comprised of the project team and organizing committees, the project will create a Leadership Forum for library directors, library science educators, and policy makers, as well as STEM professionals and educators. Conference results will be disseminated through a wide variety of organizational websites: NCIL, ALA, LPI, the conference website, the STAR_Net online community, and CAISE.In 2010, there were nearly 1.6 billion visits to 17,000 public libraries. Library audiences are true reflections of the nation's population - they serve all races, ages, economic backgrounds, and regions of the country. The STEM Learning in Libraries conference will give public libraries, STEM organizations, informal educators, and funders an opportunity to begin a dialogue with implications for profoundly impacting the attitudes of millions of Americans toward STEM topics.