A chart on greenhouse gases probably isn’t going to draw children to your table. But stations where they can blow on a colorful anemometer to make the wind speed change, sink their hands into sand, or explore why a butterfly’s wings are blue are a game-changer.
The Green STEMS Project is a sustainability outreach program for children and families. Designed to engage them with early science and engineering concepts, it builds empathy around issues of sustainability. The program is offered outside of the classroom, usually at community events.
Three years ago, School of Teaching and Learning faculty brainstormed how to increase community interest in sustainability. Dr. Allison Antink-Meyer, Dr. Ryan Brown, and Dr. Tony Lorsbach created the Green STEMS Project. Dr. Richard Bex and Dr. Soo Won Shim have since joined in the efforts.
“We needed programming around sustainability that wasn’t just meant for schools, that was intended to engage families and the adults in those families so they could grow with their children,” Antink-Meyer said. “When it comes to sustainability, engaging with families is such an important piece of the puzzle.”
Green STEMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Sustainability) promotes nature and STEMS-based explorations. Projects explore solutions to environmental challenges and invite a closer look at nature.
“For every program, we sit down and almost always start thinking about a nature-inspired solution to a problem,” Antink-Meyer said. “That turns into all sorts of things. We’re trying to bring these practices to parents, the grownups, the first teachers kids have in their lives. The point is for kids to be curious about the phenomenon we’re introducing them to and for parents to have the same kind of experience.”
One of the programs is “Colors in Nature,” which started with the idea of how to talk about the issue of toxic dyes in the clothing industry. A part of the program uses light boxes to show the difference between colors from pigment and structural colors that can be found in different bird feathers and butterfly wings.
Although these experiences may be as short as five minutes, there’s a conversation after about what they noticed and what they think that means, Brown said. In addition to working on the curriculum, he’s also a woodworker and built the sensory tables for the “Textures in Nature” exhibit. That program encourages children to use their senses to notice the difference between natural objects such as tree bark, wood shavings, sand, rocks and corn. The children can also plant seedlings to take home.
“It’s using your senses to feel, notice, and engage,” he said. “We want families to care about sustainability, and we believe that the first step in doing that is knowing about nature and the environment.”
At the “Weather Technology” station, participants can gather and upload weather data, seeing how sun, shade, and water impact temperature. They’re introduced to thermometers, barometers, wind vanes, and rain gauges.
“Everything they do, we want them to play, we want them engaging in something that feels playful,” Antink-Meyer said. “And every time a family approaches, we’re going to modify what we’re doing to be relevant to them.”
In 2022, Green STEMS started Wonder Walks at Ewing Park and the Children and Elder Forest. Doctoral student Megan Kybartas helped the team design the walks during which children use magnifying glasses to explore the environment, with adults given prompts to help them learn. A scavenger hunt helps them discover interesting facts about nature and insects, and there’s a coding activity based on the adventure.
Antink-Meyer said the team is also researching what type of outdoor access children and families have around the community, and what types of interactions in biodiversity the children have an opportunity to experience.
“If a child is on a playground, the child might notice different plants and animals, including insects, but if a parent takes a child into a forested area, there are opportunities for different types of interactions.”
Another exhibit, “Mechanisms in Motion,” allows children to interact with motion and robotics, coding the robot for specific tasks.
Green STEMS partners with community organizations, employers, and schools to present programs. The next community event is the Children’s Discovery Museum’s annual Day of Play on September 21. Financial support for Green STEMS has been provided by Ameren, Casey’s Garden Shop & Florist, Illinois State University, and Many Futures, Rivian’s foundation.
The Green STEMS team welcomes students interested in getting involved. For more information, email GreenSTEMSProject@IllinoisState.edu, go to GreenSTEMS.org or Instagram @green_stems_project.
