In 2009, 77% of California 4th graders (compared to 68% nationwide) tested below proficient in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science assessment. In 2011, 77% of California 8th graders tested below proficient in the NAEP science assessment (compared to 70% nationwide). Black and Hispanic students score significantly below White and Asian students. There are very few free or low-cost afterschool STEAM learning opportunities for children in Los Angeles, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. Luckily, our libraries are perfectly positioned to provide interest-driven "connected learning" opportunities, free of charge! This project also addresses the fact that our library programs for school-aged children tend to attract a majority of girls. For example, elementary school registrants in our Summer Reading Program were 45.9% male and 54. 1% female. For teens, the ratios are even more pronounced - 40.3% male and 59.7% female. STEAM programming, with its emphasis on hands-on, project-based exploration, tends to attract boys. And girls who attend these programs may be enticed to seriously consider a STEAM-based career.

With 72 branches and a large Central Library, it can be hard to get the momentum - much less the training and funding - needed to make new initiatives successful. In early 2013, LAPL applied for and received an LSTA grant, administered by the CA State Library, to: 1. Work with community organizations and individuals to offer high-quality STEAM programming for youth in 13 libraries in at-risk neighborhoods. 2. Provide training on a variety of STEAM topics to library staff. 3. Buy equipment and materials to support STEAM programming beyond the one-year grant period. Working with organizations like Iridescent Learning, the CA Science Center, LA Makerspace, Venice Arts, Freshi Media, Mobile Film Classroom and the Exploratory has been extremely rewarding. Not only have underserved kids gotten the chance to make robots, create stop-motion animation and live-action movies, build earthquake-proof structures and much more, but our new relationship with the organizations is bearing fruit. Based on the success of our partnerships, a researcher/educator from LA Makerspace has received a grant to conduct Scratch and digital storytelling classes for kids in our libraries, and two other organizations - Venice Arts and Freshi Media - have applied for grants as well. In addition, our librarians are discovering a new passion for science! Librarians have received hands-on training in everything from "Squishy Circuits" to making movies using Flip cameras - and more workshops on littleBits circuits, Lego Motorized Machines and electronic greeting cards are still to come. Librarians clamor for "Science Kits" that they can borrow from Youth Services to use in programs. Full STEAM Ahead is fast becoming a librarian-driven initiative that is sweeping through all our branches.

Our desired outcomes are that 85% of youth who attend a program develop an interest in STEAM learning activities; 80% of youth who attend a program develop capacities to productively engage in STEAM learning activities, and that 85% of librarians who attend a STEAM staff development workshop will feel well-prepared to offer a STEAM library program to children and/or teens. Our two main tools for evaluating outcomes are a survey taken by all participating children at each workshop and an outcomes form that is completed by the librarian observing each workshop. We are still collecting and tabulating responses, but as of March 31, 544 kid surveys and over 50 outcomes forms have been filled out since the programs began in October. In addition, librarians who attend STEAM staff development workshop fill out surveys. The results of the kid surveys show that kids are very excited about the programs: On a scale of 1 (not at all) to 5 (a lot), 94% of kids chose 4 or 5 when asked if they liked the program they had just attended. When asked "Did this program make you want to know more about science and technology stuff?," 85% chose 4 or 5. The librarians filled out forms after observing each workshop, giving examples of children engaging successfully in STEAM activities: "With sticks and rubber bands, (kids) simulated the action of force amplification." "Kids were able to describe the basic vocabulary of filmmaking and what a PSA is." And librarians clamor for more training!