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Project Descriptions

STAR Library Education Network: A Hands-on Learning Program for Libraries and Their Communities

September 15, 2010 - August 31, 2013 | Exhibitions, Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks, Public Programs

The STAR Library Education Network: a hands-on learning program for libraries and their communities, (STAR_Net for short) is led by the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) at the Space Science Institute (PI: Paul Dusenbery). STAR stands for Science-Technology, Activities and Resources. Team members include NCIL staff, the American Library Association (ALA), Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), and the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP). STAR_Net is developing two comprehensive, informal education programs: Discover Earth and Discover Tech. The project also includes a comprehensive evaluation plan and a research component that explores how public libraries can serve as a STEM learning center in rural, underserved communities. STAR_Net is supported through a grant from the National Science Foundation. The STAR_Net project includes two traveling library exhibits: Discover Earth: A Century of Change and Discover Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference. The Discover Earth exhibition features interactive, multimedia displays that allow exhibit visitors to interact with digital information in a dynamic way, encouraging new perspectives on our planet. Discover Tech introduces the many extraordinary ways that engineers solve problems to help people and societies around the world. Similar to a science center experience, visitors and families will be able to explore and tinker with their own engineering solutions. A number of STEM activities and resources will be developed by project staff and by other organizations to help librarians and community partners offer a wide variety of programs for their patrons. Besides the traveling exhibits and programs, STAR_Net also includes library staff training (online and in-person) and a Community of Practice (CoP) for librarians (including non-host librarians) to interact and partner with STEM professionals and organizations. NCI's Kate Haley Goldman and staff from Evaluation and Research Associates are conducting the project's evaluation.

Project Products

http://community.starnetlibraries.org/ Poster - STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net) Public Libraries as Places for STEM Learning: An Exploratory Interview Study with Eight Librarians
STAR_Net Summative Evaluation Report Spotlight: Star_Net STAR_Network: Library Education for Rural Communities presentation The STEM Education Movement in Public Libraries The Accidental STEM Librarian: An Exploratory Interview Study with Eight Librarians http://starnetlibraries.org

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 1010844
Funding Amount: 2495325

TEAM MEMBERS

  • REVISE logo
    Paul Dusenbery
    Principal Investigator
    Space Science Institute
  • Stephanie Shipp
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Space Science Institute
  • Lisa Curtis
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Space Science Institute
    • Discipline: Engineering | Geoscience and geography | Technology
    Audience: Elementary School Children (6-10) | Families | Middle School Children (11-13) | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Exhibitions | Library Exhibits | Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks | Professional Development and Workshops | Resource Centers and Networks | Public Programs | Library Programs

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