The priority of this project is to build a free, accessible interactive online book that teaches children from the ages 9-12 about STEAM, in the United States. The target audience includes educators, parents, students, and school administrators. The e-book will include interactivity of objects that relate to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. It will also include activities that are accessible to users at home or at school depending on the type of subject. There are features like audio so users hard of seeing can hear the characters in the book narrate the subjects as the user clicks along the book. All Around STEAM will be dynamic, flexible, diverse and simple. Users are able to think intuitively about the science behind objects all around them.
Problem: Black and Latinx people are underrepresented in STEM related careers. There is a lack of STEM curriculums in public schools to engage students to learn about STEM careers. According to the National Science Board’s study found out that among employed adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 7% of Black people are of the STEM workforce and 6% of Latinx people are of the STEM workforce*
**National Science Board. (2015, February 4). Revisiting the STEM Work-force, A Companion to Science and Engineering Indicators 2014, Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation (NSB-2015-10). https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/publica-tions/2015/nsb201510.pdf
Purpose: Design an interactive E-Book that encourages intuitive thinking about S.T.E.A.M all around the home environment, for 5th grade children that attend public school or homeschool.
Hypothesis: If there were more free accessible STEAM programming and education within thee public education system the underrepresented children would want to pursue STEM related careers.
Solution: Develop an online booklet that in engaging and dynamic with visuals and interactivity. The purpose is to serve as a resource for students, educators, and parents, who want to learn more about STEAM and can teach their children ( or students) at home (or in the classroom).
In these early design concepts, the layout will have a 2D design. User would click around the objects letters to find out the S.T.E.A.M related subject behind it and a character would appear to discuss the explanation of that object.
User / Expert Feedback ( from survey) on early design concept :
“ It would be important to have a lead-in to this page where you can make the point that kids shouldn’t be scared or intimidated about pursuing a STEM field. You want to convey that STEAM is all around us from how our bodies function to all aspects of the world we interact with. I’m drawn to the idea of you having a few kid characters of color and the STEAM content is shared through their Voice (through their written words)"
“ Everything looks amazing ! Fun concept ! Only suggestion that might help identify the objects slightly clearer is keeping the circle on your objects outlined with black lining as the letter and using the same image on the side where the information is at with same concept (object with colored circle around it) other than that I really love this!"
“ Blow up the contents that are encompassed in the green circle (ie plant, kettle, etc) above your text on right ( like a magnified image) Would make each page be individualized to what you are trying to teach in that section."
I refine the layout and characters so the users will utilize a magnifying glass to interact with the scene. The kitchen will have interactive objects within the scene so users can click and find out the information. It would appear on the screen showing the description or an activity attached to the object. The main idea is affirming the learning information and interactivity matches with the age group and is accessible to students with visual impairment and disabilities. The research will include Common Core curriculums and STEM curriculum so students can be inspired to learn more about STEAM and have fun while they are learning !
Final Mockups of S.T.E.A.M e-booklet on different devices - The design is a dynamic tool for children to learn about STEAM topics at home, fun projects that is accessible around them, how they can learn about the topics of STEAM from objects all around them, being a practical and fun resource for students.