STEM and STEAM are hot topics in libraries these days. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; STEAM is a new version that adds Arts to the mix. These acronyms come from the field of education. They emphasize technical subject matter, but they are also about a teaching and learning approach that is practical, hands on and results oriented.
Instead of teaching subjects in an isolated and abstract way, STEAM focuses on problems and projects that require an integrated approach. Instead of learning concepts from a textbook, STEAM students might work on building something that puts concepts into practice. This is a good teaching technique that makes things real and relevant. It also builds skills and knowledge that fit today’s work environment.
Public libraries are in the business of education as well and we are building STEAM content and techniques into our services. Maker spaces (where people can access computers and equipment which help them build things) are one of the most popular library implementations of STEAM. MHPL is going to dip its toes in these waters soon with a media workstation that will allow you to scan and edit your photos among other things. Medicine Hat College is ahead of us with a 3D printer and other equipment that is available to the public. Public library staff is going to be trained on their vinyl printer soon, which we are going to use to update some of our signage. STEAM can even save money sometimes!
STEAM is better established at MHPL in our programs. We’ve been offering computer coding classes and such for some time. We partnered with the Praxis Society to do various children’s programs such as robotics and forensics, and more will come in the new year. We participated in Hour of Code this year with puzzles to teach computer science concepts. We also partnered with Canada Learning Code.
There are various STEAM programs coming up. Computer Science Education Week is Dec. 3-9 and we will have Learn to Code sessions for teens, tweens and adults. We have a Pixel Art program on Dec. 17 that I’m told is filling up fast. Next year we plan a program where teens and tweens will design a video game of their choice.
We have ambitions to do even more. Our head of non-fiction services dreams of holding a Ludum Dare event in Medicine Hat, which would involve building a video game from scratch in a weekend. I am told the “from scratch” part makes this much more involved than the game building event we are already planning. I dream of the day we have a maker space of our own in the library where amateur mad scientists such as myself can fabricate things. All we need is money and a sense of what the community could use.
Ken Feser is chief librarian at Medicine Hat Public Library.
