STEAM-off in the Garden

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

The Miami-Dade Public Library System’s (MDPLS) STEAM-off in the Garden program was launched in November 2021 to provide safe programming for children with adequate social distancing. In this program series, staff aim to providing fun, yet educational STEAM-type programs outside the library building to attract this specific age group and address programming needs for an often-underserved population when COVID is still greatly impacting daily activities. Its creation had dual purposes: to engage Tweens in educational STEAM programming beyond a screen, and to bring back a sense of normalcy yet safely by being in an outdoor environment. STEAM-off in the Garden’s most successful has been by enabling children to interact with other children in this fun educational experience. Since its inception over 350 tweens and their parents have been served and created lasting connections to the library that will positively impact attendance and outreach efforts for other virtual, and future in-person programs offered by MDPLS.