Out of the Pickle: Promoting Food Science and STEM in Public Libraries

Dawn States

doi:10.5195/palrap.2015.103

Abstract

This article explores the popularity of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) movement and provides related statistical information as well as a projection of the future importance and impact of STEM. This article summarizes the significance and need for STEM both locally and nationally, focusing food science in public libraries to increase and maintain interest among secondary school students. This article furnishes an overview of how a food science program was implemented at Martin Library and how this same programming is scalable for any size library. In addition, this article provides an overview of how libraries across the nation and Martin library are providing vital STEM programs to communities.

Highlights

What exactly is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and what is it all about? STEM is the study or combined study of one or more of these core subjects: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
In 2018, it is projected that 8.65 million jobs in the United States will be focused on STEM, while Pennsylvania is anticipated to see 314,000 of those STEM-related jobs (MyCollegeOptions & STEMconnector, 2012)
Many of the surveys had similar answers to the above example, which indicated that teens did not have access or did not participate in STEM at their school, that they did have interest in STEM topics, and that they attended the programs for various reasons that ranged from: the food science program, being bored, already being at the library, or because they liked the staff

Summary

Methods

The methods for each of these programs follows the same process: select a food, discover scientific information about the food subject, and perform different tests. All of these programs share a few similar traits: they reach out to the public, include important topics associated with STEM, are generally free, reach a large age range, enhance the community through various ties and partnerships, and complete the vital mission of providing STEM in a feasible, interesting, and approachable manner. These programs are really something that can be implemented in any library.

Why did you come to today’s program at our Library?

Findings

Conclusion and Further Thoughts