Embracing STEAM programming as a learning opportunity
An essential part of any park district is its diverse recreational opportunities, whether they’re provided through updated facilities, community events, or programming. These offerings are shaped by public demand, and park districts must adapt to meet evolving needs. One growing trend that park districts, public library districts, and school districts have embraced over the past two decades is STEAM, short for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
According to the University of San Diego, Georgette Yakman, an engineering and technology teacher, is credited with updating STEM to STEAM in 2006, adding the arts to foster creativity and emotional growth within the other traditionally technical subjects. The “A” in STEAM introduces creative thinking and applied arts, helping students develop emotionally and artistically while humanizing the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEAM-based education is crucial for all ages and backgrounds—regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or ethnicity—as it sparks a passion for these subjects, creating future scientists, engineers, doctors, and artists.
For years, park districts across the nation have incorporated STEAM into their programming. For example, in 2024, Oregon Park District offered “Summer STEAM” for children ages 6-12, featuring one-day, camp-style sessions held at area parks. STEAM was also built into the district’s summer camp activities in previous years. Similarly, for the past few years, Waukegan Park District has organized a program called “STEAM Activities.” Many other park districts have implemented initiatives in the same vein.
A New Offering
In winter 2022, the West Chicago Park District expanded its youth offerings by introducing additional one-day programs. Short-term recreation is generally more accessible in communities with young families and residents with financial difficulties. While West Chicago already offered a variety of physical activity programs, such as athletics, martial arts, gymnastics, and dance, the district recognized a need for youth programs that focus on challenging the mind, encouraging creativity and critical thinking, and providing opportunities for children who might not be able to participate in physical recreation. That is how the WeGo Workshop came to be.
WeGo Workshop is a monthly, 1.5-hour session that engages STEAM skills and helps children showcase their imagination as they create something new, based on seasonal themes. The program typically runs on Thursdays from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the recreation center, for ages 5 through 13. Below is a sample class description:
- January’s Slime Lab: Prepare for a slimy, squishy adventure in our WeGo Workshop Slime Lab! Kids will dive into the fascinating world of STEAM as they create their custom slime. Children will explore chemical reactions, viscosity, and polymers through hands-on experimentation while mixing ingredients to make colorful, stretchy, and gooey creations. This fun and educational class encourages creativity, problem-solving, and scientific discovery—perfect for young slime enthusiasts!
With a $25 per-class budget for supplies, most of the program is funded by registration fees from participants. Each class is $15 for residents and $18 for non-residents. The West Chicago Park District also allocates resources for innovative youth programs like this one, often supported by larger, established programs. Currently, one full-time staff member organizes the sessions and supervises their execution, with a part-time staff member or volunteer to assist.
WeGo Workshop launched with one class per month, totaling 12 classes per year. The average attendance is five children per session, and if fewer enroll, the class is canceled.
While registration has been modest, the smaller group sizes allow for a more personalized, meaningful experience. Occasionally, classes are canceled due to low enrollment, but the department has received great feedback from those who have participated, which helps leaders adjust for future offerings.
The staff keeps things fresh with new activities each month, but they’ve also found that some activities, like making slime and gingerbread houses, have proven to be especially popular. As mentioned earlier, park district recreation staff must research their community’s needs. Some districts have long waitlists without launching a full advertising campaign, while other communities may not prioritize recreation in the same way.
Helpful Hints
Even if a program isn’t successful immediately, it’s important to reevaluate various factors that influence people to register. Consider adjusting the fee, location, time, date, and marketing strategies to attract more participants. For example, with new programs, many park districts rely on stock images for marketing, but these can sometimes misrepresent the activities involved. Since STEAM can be an unfamiliar concept to some families, it’s important to use real visuals and detailed messaging to describe the program.
To reach a broader audience, the West Chicago Park District ensures that messaging is diverse by featuring WeGo Workshop in the seasonal program guide, school newsletters, the website, social media, and on-site signage. Park districts need to experiment with new ideas, keep things fresh, and continually provide value to their communities. Additionally, sharing these insights with other districts is key, as they may have suggestions, feedback, or similar experiences that everyone can learn from.
Below are three actionable steps to turn low registration into growth:
- Gather Feedback To Understand Barriers: Abide by the community survey. Speak with the target audience and pinpoint what it will take to persuade them.
- Leverage Local Partnerships: Work with the district’s partners, sponsors, and local community organizations, such as library districts, school districts, and the municipality, to help promote the program, or even take part through collaboration.
- Offer A Free Trial Or Discounted First Session: Offering a free trial is a great way to turn unsure potential participants into loyal fans.
One key takeaway is to avoid feeling discouraged by initial setbacks. Successful park districts are those that remain flexible and adapt. Many successful programs have evolved through trial and error over time. Over the next year, West Chicago Park District’s goal is to continue expanding WeGo Workshop by offering new and exciting activities, along with adjustments to marketing strategies, fees, dates, and times to meet the needs of the community. Leaders would also like to collaborate with local artists and high school science teachers to help lead a class. Bringing in volunteer subject-matter experts can increase the value while keeping costs low.
In the end, even new programming with low registration is a learning opportunity. These initiatives open communication with the community, allowing families to engage and provide suggestions on how departments can better tailor offerings to residents’ interests. By listening to participants and remaining flexible, park districts can evolve their programming, creating meaningful experiences that reflect the diverse needs and interests of those they serve.