While many of our collaborators are individual community members, STEMCAP has initiated and maintained collaborative relationships with a wide array of community groups and organizations from the arts, humanities, science engagement and communication sectors. Community partnerships allow us to broaden the scope of our programming by bringing in a multitude of perspectives that extend beyond academia and offer YIC students insight into the large variety of ways to contribute to the scientific community and communicate about science and nature in an impactful way.
The UMFA is dedicated to engaging the public with art from around the globe while highlighting the local art community. They also work to demonstrate the power of art in social change and environmental action. Education specialists from the UMFA lead an Art-science workshop with scientists and take the students on virtual museum tours, facilitating dialogue about the connections between art, science and communication.
Museum Educators that We Work With – Annie Burbidge-Ream & Katie Seastrand
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is committed to providing science education that aims to provide an enhanced interest in the field of science and the study of life on earth and beyond. NASA scientist Daniella Scalice, visited three YIC facilities with STEMCAP and spoke about NASA’s mission to find evidence of life on other planets. She then led the students through a board game that incorporated logistics, budget, cost/benefit analysis, the features of planets and moons, and life-finding technology NASA employs in their missions.
Clark Planetarium provides unique educational experiences designed to inspire the public to learn more about space and promote public awareness that science is a part of everyone’s daily lives. The Clark Planetarium presented a four-part robotics program with STEMCAP, in which students used computer coding skills to program simple tasks into their robots in order to get them to accomplish certain tasks. Clark Planetarium outreach specialists also partnered with Natalie Gotter, a dance instructor at the University of Utah, to provide an art-science workshop. As the planetarium guided students through navigating their robots, Natalie translated computer coding principles into human-to-human connection and movement.
The Seed Library though the City Library offers a public space for community members to donate seeds from native and garden plant species for other community members to use in their own yards. Project leader Rikki Longino is collaborating with STEMCAP to provide an on-going seed-saving conservation project at multiple YIC centers on the importance and process of saving seeds, as well as methods for planting and harvesting.
Hawkwatch International’s mission is to protect the environment through public education and engagement as well as species monitoring. Hawkwatch employee Nikki Wayment worked with STEMCAP to teach students about birds of prey and the role that monitoring raptor populations plays in monitoring ecosystem health. Nikki also taught students about ways to get involved in conservation efforts.
Southwest Monarch Study researches Monarch Butterfly breeding and migration patterns in the southwestern United States and provides the public with useful resources about the butterflies, the data they’ve collected, and ways that the public can get involved in conservation efforts. Southwest Monarch Study Research Associate, Rachel Taylor, works with students as part of the Monarch Project. She introduces students to Monarch biology and the threats that Monarchs face and leads the effort to disseminate Milkweed once it is large enough to be transplanted around the Salt Lake Valley.
Other Collaborators
