STEAM Outreach Program

Science Center, Bent Corridor

Rigorous course loads, a societal expectation for perfection, and the loss of emphasis on critical thinking skills discourage many students from STEM fields early on. Curricula that feature creativity and growth mindset lead to students achieving more success both in the classroom and in future careers. The project involved reading materials on education, critical thinking, creativity, etc., learning the art of papermaking as a medium of teaching students to think innovatively, and designing a curriculum to introduce young students to design thinking. The project culminated in a two-day outreach program for students from the Harrison Cultural Community Center (HCCC) where the five to thirteen-year-olds exercised their design thinking skills through hands-on activities. The space that this program provided students to be creative and fail not only promoted learning but also gave them a positive experience in STEM to look back on. Furthermore, we hope this project will serve as a starting point for an ongoing partnership with the HCCC, for more Oberlin students to explore sharing their talents and skills with the community, and for future projects that promote creativity and design thinking in education.