STEAM Equity 2024 Summative Evaluation Report

The STEAM Equity project brought science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics learning experiences to 12 public libraries located in rural communities around the U.S., each with significant Latinx populations. Implemented from 2020-2024, participating libraries received resources to help them develop connections with community partners to reach specific audiences (especially Latinx audiences, tweens, and girls), facilitate STEAM programs for their patrons, and develop their own STEAM learning spaces and outreach kits. Libraries also hosted three traveling exhibits with hands-on STEAM activities designed especially to engage Latinx and tween audiences.

The external evaluation, led by Education Development Center (EDC), utilized mixed methods to investigate the implementation of the project and its outcomes, and to answer the evaluation questions. EDC administered pre- and post-exhibit surveys to library staff who participated in the project, reviewed annual reports submitted by the libraries, and conducted a series of interviews with library staff and community partners from five libraries to understand more deeply how libraries engage with project activities and the impact of these activities.