PLIX TeamPLIX seeks library collaborators from rural and/or tribal libraries to co-design a toolkit for creative STEM learning.
Who weāre looking for
For this project, we are looking for library professionals who work in a rural and/or tribal library context and are involved in the design or facilitation of STEM / creative learning programs. Some of the questions we are hoping to work on together include:
- What are the particular challenges of delivering STEM / creative learning activities to patrons in low-resource environments?
- How might we adapt the design or create STEM learning activities or programs to better align with traditional ways of knowing?
If these issues connect to your work and you would be interested in collaborating with us, please consider applying.
The commitment
We expect that we will be spending about 5 hours together, which includes time to brainstorm, review STEM learning activities together, and discuss. We are also considering to do some video interviews and documentation where appropriate.
Together, we will be looking at professional development materials for creative learning facilitators and beta-testing severalĀ PLIX activitiesĀ (Beautiful Symmetry,Ā Space Food,Ā Urban Ecology,Ā Paper Circuits, andĀ Inflatables) to make sure they can be used in a wide variety of contexts.
Benefits to you and your library
We know that all of you are incredibly busy and appreciate the time any participating library professionals would invest. We will be offering all participants a $200 honorarium and will provide materials and supplies for all of the STEM activities we will work on together (approximate value of $150).
Application and selection process
Please fill out the application before Tuesday, July 20th, 2021. We will be selecting participants by July 28th to begin work the week of August 23rd.Ā We may have more interest than spots available, and we acknowledge that the field of rural and tribal librarians is full of amazing people! We will choose a group of co-designers that is diverse in the patrons its members serve, where their libraries are located, and how much prior experience they have with PLIX activities. Newbies and longtime friends, and all those in-between are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to those working in libraries in remote communities and/or who serve mostly low-income patrons.
This project focuses on librarians who work in rural or tribal libraries, butĀ PLIXās regular offeringsĀ are open to all!
This work is supported by a grant from the MIT Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab.
