The Community STEAM Showcase Shines a Spotlight on Diversity in Science and Technology

For over 20 years the Saint Louis Science Center has hosted the Community STEAM Showcase (formerly known as the Minority Scientist Showcase) to highlight the accomplishments of people of color and women in STEM. Although the COVID-19 pandemic made things look a little different when the event took place during January’s Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, the Community STEAM Showcase helped shine a spotlight on the diversity of the scientific community.

As the sole exhibitor for this year, the Museum of Black Inventors, a pop-up museum located in St. Louis, illustrated many of the contributions African Americans have made in STEAM that are often overlooked and left out of the history books. Some of these notable STEAM professionals included Dr. Charles Drew, a surgeon and medical researcher who helped develop a means of processing and storing blood; Frederick Jones, an inventor and entrepreneur who created an air conditioning unit for automobiles; and Lonnie Johnson, an inventor and engineer who created the Super Soaker water gun.

Although this year’s event was scaled back due to the pandemic, the Science Center’s Community Science department was on hand to pass out science kits providing at-home learning and introducing kids to STEAM topics like engineering, art, astronomy and critical thinking. From DIY maze and skyscraper activities to a DIY stargazer kit, attendees had a variety of options for discovering science and technology.

The Missouri History Museum also provided take-home kits that introduced kids to activities like writing affirmations and creating their own peace signage, while STEM STL provided water bottles highlighting summer camp options throughout the St. Louis area.

More than 140 STEAM kits were given out by the team to members of the community.