Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Promotion of "S.T.E.M." Education through the Publication of an Indiana Bicentennial Commission-Endorsed Children's Book
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Start Date
10-4-2015 10:15 AM
End Date
10-4-2015 12:00 PM
Sponsor
Erin Albert (Butler University)
Description
Book authored by: Eileen Carroll, Katy English, Anastasia Luc, Matthew O'Brien, and Kimberly Van Wyk
Marketing and Fundraising led by: Catrina Cranfill and Chloe Pahl
Illustrations by: Taylor Bowen and Terry O. Luc
Introduction: The demand for professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the arts (STEAM) is growing in Indiana and around the country. By studying the STEAM accomplishments of relatable Indiana residents, children can be inspired to pursue these in-demand careers and to appreciate the value of developing these skills for personal and professional success.
Problem statement: Children's books that focus on STEAM fields from a historical perspective are not prevalent; books focused on Indiana's contributions to these fields are rare.
Methods: An interdisciplinary team of pharmacy, education, business, and art students-along with faculty mentors-formed to complete the book. Research was conducted through site visits to Indiana museums, and the book content was identified through a literature search. Individual pages were written by author pairs then edited in a multi-phased process by history, literature, and education professionals; parents; and students. A team of illustrators created artwork and formatted the final book through the assistance of a publisher. To achieve the goal of making the book available to classrooms in Indiana, private donations were requested. Social media and promotional events were utilized to publicize the efforts of the team.
Results: The result, titled The Gifts of Indiana: A Tale of Three Birthdays and One Grand Adventure, is a published chapter book aimed at fourth-grade students, the grade in which Indiana schools study state history. The book is endorsed as a Legacy Project from the 2016 Indiana Bicentennial Commission and is available in either paperback or e-book format. Through fundraising efforts, several class sets of the book have been donated to donors' schools of choice.
Discussion: Every effort was made by the team to make the book available, accurate, and relatable to Indiana children. The publishing formats are affordable alternatives to a hardback book and address the need for more materials to be available electronically. Book content and illustrations are historically sound secondary to consultation with history experts and utilization of primary resources. Education professionals' edits of the text and guidance with character development creates a story with which children today can relate.
Significance: The completed book will serve as a catalyst for discussion about STEAM accomplishments, an inspiration for Indiana children to discern how they can impact their community, and a celebration of Indiana's bicentennial.
Promotion of "S.T.E.M." Education through the Publication of an Indiana Bicentennial Commission-Endorsed Children's Book
Indianapolis, IN
Book authored by: Eileen Carroll, Katy English, Anastasia Luc, Matthew O'Brien, and Kimberly Van Wyk
Marketing and Fundraising led by: Catrina Cranfill and Chloe Pahl
Illustrations by: Taylor Bowen and Terry O. Luc
Introduction: The demand for professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the arts (STEAM) is growing in Indiana and around the country. By studying the STEAM accomplishments of relatable Indiana residents, children can be inspired to pursue these in-demand careers and to appreciate the value of developing these skills for personal and professional success.
Problem statement: Children's books that focus on STEAM fields from a historical perspective are not prevalent; books focused on Indiana's contributions to these fields are rare.
Methods: An interdisciplinary team of pharmacy, education, business, and art students-along with faculty mentors-formed to complete the book. Research was conducted through site visits to Indiana museums, and the book content was identified through a literature search. Individual pages were written by author pairs then edited in a multi-phased process by history, literature, and education professionals; parents; and students. A team of illustrators created artwork and formatted the final book through the assistance of a publisher. To achieve the goal of making the book available to classrooms in Indiana, private donations were requested. Social media and promotional events were utilized to publicize the efforts of the team.
Results: The result, titled The Gifts of Indiana: A Tale of Three Birthdays and One Grand Adventure, is a published chapter book aimed at fourth-grade students, the grade in which Indiana schools study state history. The book is endorsed as a Legacy Project from the 2016 Indiana Bicentennial Commission and is available in either paperback or e-book format. Through fundraising efforts, several class sets of the book have been donated to donors' schools of choice.
Discussion: Every effort was made by the team to make the book available, accurate, and relatable to Indiana children. The publishing formats are affordable alternatives to a hardback book and address the need for more materials to be available electronically. Book content and illustrations are historically sound secondary to consultation with history experts and utilization of primary resources. Education professionals' edits of the text and guidance with character development creates a story with which children today can relate.
Significance: The completed book will serve as a catalyst for discussion about STEAM accomplishments, an inspiration for Indiana children to discern how they can impact their community, and a celebration of Indiana's bicentennial.