STEM Fairs
Held during March in odd-numbered years, the State Library STEM Fairs give librarians ideas on how to incorporate STEM concepts at their library and connect in person with fellow librarians. Each district hosts an event featuring a half day of STEM Fair activities for librarians.
About the 2025 STEM Fairs
Are you new to Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) and need some inspiration to get started programming in your library? Or are you already doing STEM activities and need some fresh ideas to keep attendees interested? If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, please join us for a Librarian STEM Fair!
This half-day, in-person workshop is designed to familiarize you with local resources to expand your library’s STEM offerings and give you an opportunity to steal (ahem, borrow) ideas from colleagues in your district.
Activities through the day include short presentations from youth librarians and time demoing STEM activities and a keynote from Iowa PBS on STEM resources available to those working in public libraries around the state.
Call for Proposals
We need YOUR HELP to make the STEM Fairs a success! If you have a great STEM program or service for youth or teens that you're passionate about, consider submitting a proposal to present. Selected applicants must be available to present their session twice on the same day (once in the morning, and once in the afternoon).
All proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2025. Questions? Contact Janeé at Janee.Jackson-Doering@iowa.gov.
Submit a Proposal to Present In Your District
Dates & Locations
- Monday, March 3: Johnston Public Library (Central District)
- Thursday, March 6: Coralville Public Library (Southeast District)
- Monday, March 10: Green Hills AEA, Avoca (Southwest District)
- Monday, March 24: Oelwein Public Library (Northeast District)
- Thursday, March 27: Algona Public Library (North Central District)
- Monday, March 31: Rockwell City Public Library (Northwest District)
General Schedule
This year, in order to accommodate more attendees (25 in the morning and 25 in the afternoon), our schedule will feature two half-day options for librarians to choose from. Both morning and afternoon will include the same four librarian presenters, and the noon hour will be a shared keynote from Iowa PBS.
Time |
Event |
| 9:30 - 9:45 | Welcome & introduction for morning attendees |
| 9:45 - 10:15 | Presentation 1 |
| 10:15 - 10:45 | Presentation 2 |
| 10:45 - 11:15 | Presentation 3 |
| 11:15 - 11:45 | Presentation 4 |
| 11:45 - 12:00 | Break & Keynote setup Afternoon attendees arrive |
| 12:00 - 1:00 | Keynote from Iowa PBS (for morning & afternoon attendees) |
| 1:00 - 1:15 | Welcome & introduction for afternoon attendees Morning attendees dismissed |
| 1:15 - 1:45 | Presentation 1 |
| 1:45 - 2:15 | Presentation 2 |
| 2:15 - 2:45 | Presentation 3 |
| 2:45 - 3:15 | Presentation 4 |
| 3:15 - 3:45 | Wrap up & dismissal |
Questions about the STEM Fairs? Contact Janeé Jackson-Doering
