Relevant STEAM Experiences

Informal science learning (ISL) organizations that are successful at providing meaningful science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) experiences for Latino children, youth, and their families share some common traits. They have leaders and staff who believe in the importance of developing culturally relevant models and frameworks that meet the needs and acknowledge the legacy of STEAM in Latino communities. Such organizations are willing to take risks to create experiences that are culturally meaningful, garner funding and implement programs by working closely with their local communities, and sometimes go beyond by partnering with other organizations to build regional and national networks based on trust, common goals, and deep relationships. They also respond to changes in their communities, from language choice to acknowledgment and appreciation of diverse preferences, interests, lifestyles, and ways of knowing and learning.

These organizations exercise great flexibility, are sufficiently agile to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, and value community partnerships as key to the development of relevant STEAM experiences. These traits make such organizations effective in providing relevant STEAM experiences for Latinos because they recognize that when it comes to such experiences, “one size does not fit all.” The idea that STEAM experiences need to be tailored to the nuances of a highly diverse Latino community was the focus of discussion for the Relevant STEAM Experiences panel during the GENIAL Summit.

This article offers recommendations for ISL organizations and their staff for cultivating qualities and behaviors to enable the development of relevant STEAM experiences that are attuned to the diverse needs of Latinos. They include developing the ability to take risks and be agile; valuing new perspectives, paying attention to the continually changing landscape of Latino audiences; seeking and responding to feedback from the community; becoming a good listener; empowering multiple generations and voices; and making space for the entirety of Latino cultural identities in the workplace. Each recommendation highlights examples provided by the authors, the GENIAL panelists, and participants as a result of small group discussions.