FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Natasha Marstiller, nmarstiller@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov
Washington, DC—Webcasts of the 2011 WebWise Conference on "Libraries, Museums, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in Research, Education, and Practice", held March 9-11, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland are now available online. Libraries and museums are partners in the national effort to improve STEM learning in the US. They support both formal and informal learning with projects that range from fostering group investigation and creation techniques for youth to tackling the challenges of preserving research data, all made ever more complex and promising in the digital world.
Improving STEM Learning in the US
The captioned webcasts provide an opportunity for the nation to see how libraries and museums are exploring new opportunities for improving STEM learning in the US. The videos feature keynote speakers showcasing innovative approaches to a variety of topics including digital collections, media literacy, online services, audio and visual technologies, living specimens, visitor experiences and much more. Featured presenters include:
Opening Remarks: Susan Hildreth, Director, IMLS
Keynote Speakers:
Milton Chen, George Lucas Foundation and Edutopia
Joshua M. Greenberg, Program Director, Digital Information Technology, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Fran Berman, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Leaders Discuss Engaging Youth in STEM Learning
The three day event included a diverse agenda with discussions and interviews with top leaders in the field exploring the frontiers of new technologies and the opportunities they present. The presentations focus on a variety of topics. Highlights include:
Libraries and Museums Engaging Youth in STEM Learning - Learn by Doing. Representatives of three IMLS-funded projects present an overview of their work, emphasizing their "learn by doing" aspects.
Perfecting STEM Partnerships: Libraries, Museums & Formal Education. Several of IMLS and MacArthur-funded projects have created innovative and engaging spaces, content, and experiences for students at all levels to learn about STEM concepts and techniques. Preparing library and museum professionals to work in these environments is also discussed.
Libraries and Museums Engaging Youth in STEM Learning - Learning and Playing Online: A Panel Interview. The participants explore trends in library and museum sponsored informal learning and possibilities of interaction using gaming technologies.
Tapping Into Science: Promoting Collections for Use in Teaching, Learning and Research. This panel discusses how museums and libraries can create digital collections to provide greater access to their primary and secondary source collections.
WebWise 2011
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and in particular their Digital Media and Learning program provided support for this year's conference. Click here to learn more about WebWise, IMLS digital resources and how we bring together representatives of museums, libraries, archives, systems science, education, and other fields to explore the many opportunities made possible by digital technologies.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.