Case Study: Geelong Regional Libraries and The STEM Maker Project

Increasingly, public libraries are a popular place for STEM learning for both children and youth.

Since 2023, Geelong Regional Libraries has partnered with The Brainary to deliver sessions to young people aged 12-18 on various STEM topics: CAD Design and 3D printing, Robotics and Coding, Virtual Reality (VR) and Emerging Technologies in STEM and Career Pathways. These sessions took part at various libraries throughout the Greater Geelong region and beyond.

The sessions not only teach vital STEM and tech skills, but encourage social connection, with participants encouraged to attend all four sessions in a series and build connections with other participants and the facilitator. Participants had the chance to take home their own 3D printing, and to gain hands on experience of a number of new technologies.

CEO Vanessa Schernickau said: “At Geelong Regional Libraries we see the amazing benefits that STEM programs and exploration can deliver. We have a critical role to play in ensuring equal access to new, modern and emerging technologies for all young people, regardless of background or socio-economic status. It has been a delight to partner with The Brainary to deliver dozens of free STEM sessions to young people across our region. These technologies are often expensive, and programs like this ensure equity of access, and helps to ensure young people have the chance to explore careers in STEM”.

Feedback from young people focused on the social aspect as much as the learning. Parents and carers commented on how amazing it was to be able to access these sessions for free, with free access to costly tech: robots, VR, 3D printing.

Geelong Regional Libraries regularly runs many code clubs, from basic to advanced – basic clubs are open to total beginners, and work with children and young people to teach skills that may seem complicated or advanced to adults, but often are part of daily life for youth.

Geelong Regional Libraries recently expanded the advanced coding clubs – STEAM Club for Advanced Coders for 8+ – this includes sophisticated block coding to program drones for example. During the sessions, young people have access to technology such as drones, OSMOs, Lego WEDO, Spheros, laptops, iPads and more.

Library staff who were involved in the sessions said they feel more confident teaching the advanced STEM since The Brainary partnership, and that the young people really love the hands-on incidental learning – sometimes learning without even realising!

These partnership sessions also were another way to invite young people into library spaces, showcasing the different ways modern public libraries can be used – libraries today are not places of shooshing or exclusively for books, they are safe spaces for discussion and exploration – and even just to hang out after school with snacks and mates. The Children and Youth Services library staff at Geelong Regional Libraries have also come away with enhanced STEM skills, that will endure beyond the life of the partnership with the Brainary.