If you’re wondering what happened, we changed our name.  The Science Teachers’ Equipment Lending Library, while descriptive, was a bit verbose, and also factually inaccurate as we will service all STEM educators.  We are now STEM Library Lab!

On August 12th I set out on a 3,000 mile journey across the middle of the U.S. The purpose was to visit and learn about operations, logistics, marketing, outreach, and reporting, across a variety of K-12 STEM libraries across the country.

I originally discovered the NSEC while completing an assignment for the Changemaker Institute, which directed me to seek out organizations nationally doing similar work to STELL.  I found, among others, SwI STEM in Indiana, who advised me to attend.  And I am thankful that I listened.

When we left off, STEM Library Lab was preparing to write a Memorandum of Understanding, a nonbinding document to help validate customers and demonstrate that interest exists for our service offerings.

The Science Teachers’ Equipment Lending Library (STELL) began with a good idea. From 6 years teaching STEM subjects in high schools, I realized that one of the biggest challenges to improving teaching and learning might also be one of the easiest to solve.