Strategic Program Planning to Strengthen STEAM Education

Hosea Washington, Caterpillar engineer and FIRST Robotics team coach, was one of 30 STEAM experts and leaders who came together to develop a plan to synergize efforts in STEAM education throughout the CentralIllinois area.

STEAM experts and leaders join forces to better serve our local educators and citizens.

In March, University of Illinois Extension, in collaboration with Illinois Informatics Institute and Champaign-Urbana Fab Lab convened a half day workshop at the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum that brought together experts and leaders in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) teaching and learning to share their ideas and recommendations for strengthening STEAM education throughout the Greater Peoria Region. More than 30 individuals, representing a wide range of expertise, contributed to this plan.

The goals set forth through this planning process include: build an engaged professional network focused on STEAM education, develop a social marketing campaign highlighting the value of STEAM, and expand volunteer engagement.

Developments stemming from this workshop include:

• regional STEAM events online calendar

• online organizational database

• quarterly meetings to build awareness, promote collaboration, and implement goals

• monthy feature articles in iBi magazine highlighting organizations engaged in STEAM education activities