The S.T.E.A.M. Express

Let’s talk about The STEAM Express! It is becoming a talking point in our jobs and we are starting to see an interest all over the country in what it is and how we did it.

Fun fact: it actually started off as a semi-facetious tweet! I had just read an article about a school who took an old bus and turned it into a greenhouse. I tweeted the article, then sent out the warning tweet in the picture below. I went to Tweetdeck and scheduled tweets to go out throughout the day about different bus makeovers.

What I didn’t know was that our assistant superintendent was looking for a way to take learning into the community, so it was a “lucky coincidence” (if you believe in that kind of thing). We built a team, asked our community for donations, and the community DELIVERED. Within a year, we had the STEAM Express ready for launch.

The STEAM Express is a mobile makerspace that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. It was created with the idea of sparking kids’ interest in those subject areas while also giving them the opportunity to have a family experience. By going into communities, the STEAM Express can reach parents and children who may not have the means to attend educational events. By partnering with community organizations, they get other needs met as well. We’ve partnered with the Livingston Parish Public Library, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, Mighty Moms, The LP Family Resource Center, the My Community Cares Initiative from the Pelican Group, the Northshore STEM Coalition, local churches, and other community outreach groups. This is FREE OF CHARGE- costs are covered by our generous donors.

Because of coordinated events like these, families have been able to receive meals, school supplies, first aid kits, medical, vision, and behavior health screenings, home goods, and a family experience they will remember forever. This has exceeded our hopes and expectations BEYOND what we could have imagined.

As of now, the STEAM Express is also able to go to schools once a semester for their parent/community nights free of charge. This has helped schools entice parents to attend with their children. In order to book the STEAM Express, a school must have a trained teacher on staff (we have over 150 in the district), and the principal must submit a request.

We honestly weren't sure as to what success we would have with the STEAM Express, but it has taken off like a rocket! We've had state, national, and international interest in the STEAM Express, the process of creation, the sustainability, and the work that went into it. Because of this, we've created a website, printed business cards, and have accepted speaking opportunities at a few conferences.

Because money doesn't grow on trees, and we are committed to this project being funded by community donations, we are always looking for donors! If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the STEAM Express, we will be happy to discuss with you the best way for you to be a part! It could be donating a STEAM product for the bus or monetary donations. If you are interested, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at Nikki.Lavergne@lpsb.org. Below is a picture of our sponsorship form and the back of the STEAM Express that displays our current sponsors.

If you are interested in learning more about the STEAM Express or wanting to start a similar program in your area, I will be happy to discuss how we did this, the hurdles we had to jump, as well as the ones we foresee in the future.

If you are holding a community outreach event and would like the STEAM Express to attend, please contact me or Lynn Kennedy.

Follow the STEAM Express:

Twitter: @TheSTEAMExpress

Facebook @LPSTEAMexpress