Representatives from STEAM got the chance to participate at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium last week. Michael Smoley, Content and Editorial Strategy Specialist for The STEAM Factory, moderated two panels for discussion on STEAM Factory’s Third Spaces Phase 1 project and the STEM Impact Collaborative. 

The first panel, Third Spaces Unite: Leveraging Off-Campus Centers for Enhanced Community Outcomes, was moderated by Michael Smoley (STEAM Factory), Charlene Brenner (STEAM Factory), Monica Stigler (African American and African Studies Community Extension Center) and Merijn van der Heijden (Urban Arts Spaces). The Ohio State University is home to three off-campus organizations, each with years of community involvement and established relationships. To amplify impact, these centers came together to ask, “How can we collaborate to benefit our respective communities and organizations?” This panel answered that question and detailed this growing collaboration.

Michael also presented with Courtney Price (College of Arts and Sciences) about the STEM Impact Collaborative. The STEM Impact Collaborative is a grassroots community of practice at The Ohio State University focused on making STEM accessible and fun. Their presentation showcased how the Collaborative can serve as a model for other professionals seeking to build collaborations and infrastructure to support outreach, engagement, and broader impacts.