Sustaining STEAM: Challenges and Strategies for Long-Term Engagement in FabLabs and Makerspaces

Abstract

Sustaining long-term engagement in STEAM education is a significant challenge, especially in informal learning settings like FabLabs and Makerspaces. These hands-on, constructionist environments have incredible potential for fostering creativity, problem-solving, and digital literacy, particularly through community-based extracurricular activities. However, maintaining participation over time remains a challenge due to pedagogical, structural, and motivational barriers. In this workshop, we aim to address the questions relevant to STEAM education by exploring both the challenges and strategies for organizing and conducting long-term STEAM-focused extracurricular programs for children within FabLabs and Makerspaces. We aim to bring together educators, makers, and researchers to expedite the discussions about making sustainable, practice-informed approaches for long-term STEAM education programs beyond the traditional classroom.