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Report regarding a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $4,000 in grant funding from the Association of Science and Technology Centers to support programs and services promoting gender equity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers at the Grand Avenue Branch Library’s Makerspace and amending the Library Department’s Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating Budget via Budget Amendment # 23.035. (Valerie Sommer, Library Director)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $4,000 in grant funding from Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) to support programs promoting gender equity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) careers at the Grand Avenue Branch Library’s Makerspace and amending the Library Department’s Fiscal Year 2022-2023 (FY22-23) Operating Budget via Budget Amendment 23.035.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Library Department has been awarded $4,000 from ASTC to support gender equity in STEM at our Grand Avenue Branch Library’s Makerspace programs and exhibits. This is part of an IF/THEN initiative committed to funding efforts that cultivate a culture shift in girls to build their interest in STEM careers. Funds will be used to promote visibility of women in STEM, who are typically underrepresented, through displays, exhibits and workshops for the public. STEM exhibits and workshop activities will be available in English and Spanish and include a weekly schedule of Engineering activities and a Faces in Science exhibit. Participants in the Library’s Girls Who Code programs will serve as STEM Ambassadors.
FISCAL IMPACT
Grant funds will be used to amend the Library Department’s current FY 22-23 Operating Budget per Budget Amendment 23.035. Receipt of these funds does not commit the City to ongoing funding.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Grant funding to support gender equity in STEM careers at Grand Avenue Branch Library will provide additional visibility of females and minorities in STEM as well as hands-on STEM opportunities for South San Francisco students. The strengthening of learning programs is an action item in the City’s Strategic Plan under Priority #2: Quality of Life.
RACIAL AND SOCIAL EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Equity and/or inclusion was considered in the development of the services to be funded through this grant as follows.
This initiative seeks to further gender equity in STEM by uplifting young girls, with information provided in Spanish to particularly serve Hispanic and Latino communities near Grand Library. In South San Francisco, 30.4% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, and many of these residents live in the Downtown and Old Town areas served by this Library. Hispanic and Latino populations continue to be underrepresented in STEM education and careers, especially the female identifying segments of these populations.
It will also provide inspiration to students who may be less likely to enter challenging STEM careers due to barriers from limited English proficiency and being from a low-income household, through a campaign that makes pathways to STEM more relatable. The Grand Avenue Library is located near downtown where an average of 19% of households are limited English speaking households, and around 70% of these households are families. Of the English learners enrolled in public schools, Spanish is the most widely used primary language. Schools within walking distance of Grand Avenue Library have high student populations eligible for free lunch as well.
From past surveys and focus groups, our communities have stated a desire for more after school activities with a STEM focus. To inspire and encourage this community, exhibits will be created where students and families can see a community like themselves, as leaders in STEM education. Bilingual displays of women in STEM paired with the opportunity for hands-on learning would be highly impactful for Spanish speaking students and especially female identifying students who are greatly underrepresented in STEM.
CONCLUSION
Receipt of these funds will support gender equity in STEM at Grand Avenue Library’s Makerspace and hands-on STEM opportunities for bilingual families. It is recommended that the City Council accept $4,000 in grant funding and amend the Library Department’s FY 22-23 Operating Budget via Budget Amendment 23.035.