Why International?

The COVID pandemic has deeply affected our educational institutions and how we relate to each other. Students and teachers have been required to work/study from home in isolation which created an urgent need for innovative ways to interact, teach and learn online. Travel bans and heightened health security measures led to cancellations of international and local field trips, along with opportunities for intercultural exchange. At the same time, COVID has brought to the forefront the need to develop scientific literacy to make informed decisions concerning the impact of science and technology on our every day lives.

It is more urgent than ever for our youth to be informed and inspired to respond to the complex challenges of the 21st century with empathy and humanity. Students need opportunities to develop relationships with other students from diverse geo-cultural backgrounds with more focus on the humanitarian and ecological challenges of our time. This climate is what inspired STEMarts International.

What we do

STEMarts International is an international youth exchange program that facilitates communication and collaboration between youth leaders around the world through the STEMarts Curriculum Tool platform. The goal is to encourage intercultural respect, creative expression and scientific literacy as students collaborate on a sci-art installation that is presented at festivals in the partner country.

How we do it

We connect students in the New Mexico with schools in participating countries through a partnership with U.S. Embassies. Our first partners are the U.S Embassy and Consulate in Portugal and the U.S Consulate of Guadalajara Mexico. More countries will be added as the project evolves.

Students in partner countries participate in workshops, design challenges and collaborations led by artists and interdisciplinary experts.

For the virtual workshops, students are paired with their team in the partner country and meet weekly to work on the hands-on STEAM activities designed for the project. These sessions are facilitated by our trained STEAM Ambassadors who are alumni of the U.S. Youth Ambassador program and STEMarts Lab Alumni. All students communicate and collaborate as ambassadors representing their communities and their countries.

We work closely with the classroom teachers to help guide the students through the various projects we offer. The STEMarts Curriculum Tool will have all the workshop videos and resources to support the students. This project allows students to work from home or classroom. As a culminating event, the students communicate the science they learn by contributing to a sci-art installation that is part of festivals around the world.

Our first STEMarts International project is called Space Messengers, and launches in the Spring 2021.

Students;

• Develop interpersonal communication and ambassador skills through an international collaboration.
• Learn about cutting edge science and environmental/space policies to develop scientific literacy.
• Expand understanding of our connection to nature and the universe to develop environmental stewardship.
• Create participatory art informed by science and designed to share with your community.
• Collaborate with students from other countries and develop intercultural understanding and respect.
• Become part of a collaborative international sci-art installation that will tour the world!
• Have the opportunity to apply for apprenticeships for STEAM events.

Teachers;

• Offer an exciting real world activity for your students that is easy to implement and aligned with the standards.
• Develop partnerships with teachers in different countries to share ideas.
• Become a certified STEMarts International teacher and receive stipends to participate in more exchanges.

SPRING 2021

Contact us to learn more.