As schools nationwide grapple with managing and tracking their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) resources, one district in Florida has devised an innovative solution that is saving money and increasing efficiency. The School District of Indian River County has introduced a STEAM Checkout system, a groundbreaking approach to organizing and sharing technology across multiple schools.
The initiative, led by Senior Digital Innovation Administrator Kerri Wall, was created in response to widespread issues of misplaced and underutilized STEAM tools. Before the system was implemented, teachers and administrators struggled to locate essential laptops, microscopes, and other STEAM-related tech, resulting in unnecessary spending on new devices while existing resources sat idle.
The problem became evident when Wall and her team were searching for LEGO Spike robots for a class. A teacher had requested them, and they knew they were in the district, but no one could locate them. As they investigated further, they discovered classroom carts, computers, and other equipment sitting unused in storage closets, revealing an enormous problem. Realizing the extent of inefficiencies, Wall and her team developed the STEAM Checkout system, a centralized inventory and tracking platform that allows educators to borrow, return, and manage shared STEAM resources efficiently.
One of the key features of the STEAM Checkout system is its ability to track district-wide technology assets, eliminating redundant purchases and ensuring that all available tools are utilized effectively. What they did was gather all the resources in the district into a centralized database and assure schools that they could still access their equipment first. By pooling resources, they expanded what was available to every school while keeping costs down. This district-wide collaboration prevents waste and enhances classroom experiences by ensuring teachers and students have access to the latest STEAM technology.
One major hurdle many schools face when implementing technology is teacher familiarity and confidence in using new tools. Many educators hesitate to incorporate advanced technology in the classroom due to a lack of training. The district invested heavily in professional development to ensure teachers could effectively use the technology available to them. One of their most successful initiatives was a Tech Tapas PD session, where teachers rotated through different devices in 20-minute hands-on workshops and received a lesson plan for each tool. By providing interactive training, the district ensured that educators were not just aware of available resources but also confident in their ability to integrate them into lesson plans.
For other school districts looking to implement a similar resource management system, Wall outlined the key steps in rolling out STEAM Checkout. The first step involves documenting all available technology, and checking closets, storage rooms, and classrooms to create an accurate district-wide database. They created a district-wide spreadsheet with separate tabs for each school, allowing administrators to log and track their technology resources. While schools self-reported resources, manual verification was necessary to ensure accuracy. They spent 22 days visiting each school, documenting every piece of technology, taking photos, and cataloging assets. Once the inventory was accurately documented, the next step was establishing a system for sharing resources. The district then transitioned to a structured borrowing system, allowing schools to reserve, share, and return resources through the STEAM Checkout system.
To streamline the process, the district assigned a dedicated staff member to oversee checkouts and deliveries, integrating the system into the existing IT logistics infrastructure. The success of the STEAM Checkout system has transformed resource management in Indian River County, preventing unnecessary expenditures and ensuring equal access to technology. Wall noted that while setting up the system was a multi-year process, the benefits have far outweighed the effort. If a district is serious about saving money and maximizing technology use, this is the way to go. Year One is about inventory and documentation. Year Two focuses on getting schools on board and encouraging collaboration. Year Three is when they fully implement, streamline, and manage logistics.
By adopting a district-wide STEAM resource-sharing model, schools can ensure greater efficiency, increased accessibility, and improved learning experiences for students. As more districts look for ways to optimize their technology investments, the STEAM Checkout system is proving to be a powerful solution for managing educational resources effectively.
