In Chicago, there is no shortage of wonderful higher education institutions. Turning the Page is fortunate enough to have partnered with a few of them since we started here in 2015. As part of our well-rounded programming, we host STEAM workshops during one Community Night each year. Ahead of upcoming STEAM nights, we wanted to highlight two important partnerships. But let’s take a step back before we do so.
Just what is STEAM?
The terms STEAM and STEM have become ubiquitous in the past few years. But if you’re still unsure what they mean, that’s OK! According to Education Closet: “STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The end results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process.”
While the inclusion of Arts may seem counter-intuitive to some, the idea is this: “STEAM takes STEM to the next level: it allows students to connect their learning in these critical areas together with arts practices, elements, design principles, and standards to provide the whole pallet of learning at their disposal.”
These nights have become an invaluable part of our programming for parents and students. For instance, last year families built tetrahedron towers, solved mazes, played math Go Fish+, created tangram pictures, and unlocked solutions to KenKen puzzles. All of this was in addition to learning how reading math-based books can support skill development at home. “My favorite part was reading the book called Grapes of Math,” said one Sumner parent. “It’s a really cool book and it will help with your math if you is having a hard time.”
Turning the Page Partners
For our upcoming round of Community Nights, Turning the Page has partnered with two Chicago universities. They are the University of Chicago STEM Education and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Let’s get to know each organization a little better.
University of Chicago STEM Education
The UChicago STEM Education department is part of the Physical Sciences Division at the Hyde Park university. According to their website, they continue the university’s “long-standing commitment to improving precollege education and aims to support high quality mathematics and science instruction and learning for all students. Through the sharing of knowledge and the creation of useful products and programs, UChicago STEM Education seeks to make a positive difference for mathematics and science instruction throughout the nation.” Turning the Page has previously partnered with the University of Chicago’s School of Medicine for the first ever UCEM Community Day
last summer.
SHPE at UIC
The Society of Hispanic Physical Engineers has been active at UIC since 1980. Their mission is to “changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. SHPE’s vision is a world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as the leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.” This will be the second time that members from the SHPE have worked with Turning the Page.
Thanks to partnerships like these and volunteers, we’re able to provide a night of unimaginable fun, wonder, and creativity. Check out some photos of students and families at previous STEM nights on our Flickr page.
Want to support programs like our STEAM nights? Make a donation to Turning the Page today by clicking here.