Unit 12: Sustaining STEM Programming

Unit Twelve
Sustaining STEM Programming

Through these professional learning and program series, you have planned and offered STEM programs for adults in your community. Now would be a good time to step back and reflect on the impact of these programs on your library, your community, and you.

In this unit, you will:

- Consider changes that have occurred as a result of the programs

- Develop approaches for sustaining adult STEM programming at your library

Create a set of best practices for developing and sustaining adult STEM programming in rural libraries

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	Begin this unit by downloading Reflections about the Rural Gateways Project. Take some time to respond to the first four questions. Through the activities in this unit, we’ll share and discuss the changes, opportunities, and challenges you note. It will be an opportunity to consider the changes in your library (and you!) since the start of the project – and where you would like to see your library go over the next few years.


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Several librarians who first began to offer Pushing the Limits programs in 2013 have continued to develop and implement STEM programming in their libraries. We can learn about strategies they used to sustain the interest and momentum generated by the first set of programs.

As you watch the video, listen to their experiences and the suggestions they offer.

Unit Twelve, Video One
Sustaining STEM Programming at Your Library

Based on your experience offering the eight Pushing the Limits programs, discussions with other project participants, and the suggestions of librarians who have continued to offer STEM programs, you have a wealth of knowledge about developing and offering STEM programming for adults.

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	In the Community of Practice, we will be sharing this knowledge through a set of guided activities. First, download Best Practices for Adult STEM Programming in Public Libraries and complete Parts I, II, and III. Share the recommendations you noted on the handout in the Community of Practice discussion thread, “Unit Twelve: Recommendations for Building and Sustaining Adult STEM Programming in Rural Public Libraries”. After you have participated in the discussion, complete Part IV of the handout. Use the Community of Practice discussion thread, “Unit Twelve: Best Practices in Adult STEM Programming for Rural Public Libraries” to provide additional input and feedback to the list of best practices posted by the professional development facilitators.

As you plan additional STEM programs over the next year of the project, refer to the set of best practices developed by all of you. It should help guide and sustain your library’s programming. We’ll revisit this set of best practices near the end of the third year to see if additional revisions are needed.