The rural Cuba school district is responding to the pandemic in a way that "mingles old-timey itinerant circuit-riding with 21st-century tech". Read on to learn about their repurposed school bus routes and their wearable-tech solution:

As videoconferencing becomes the new normal for meetings, classes and more, the line between private and public life blurs. People push curious pets out of the way of webcams. Colleagues lean off-screen to address the needs of children and family members. Friends, classmates and strangers reveal various backdrops throughout their homes, in search of good lighting, stable Wi-Fi, and solitude.

Many schools across New Mexico have adopted hybrid or remote learning plans this fall. Just like telework, distance education meets students at their "whole selves." A range of social, political, cultural and other variables shape students, and learning from home makes this increasingly present. The pandemic points to the importance of a holistic approach to education, one that supports the "whole student."

An ecosystem response
In response to the statewide school closures in March, a coalition of regional organizations in Northern New Mexico combined forces to launch the New Mexico STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math learning) Hub. Spearheaded by the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation and the Community Learning Network, this interactive, online platform connects families, educators and communities around shared resources.

In New Mexico we are fortunate to have many opportunities for STEAM learning from regional partners like Explora, Twirl and STEM Santa Fe. The STEAM Hub brings this all together under one digital "roof" for an ecosystem of learning. Categorized K-12 educational content, teaching resources, virtual events, parent support and more can be found in one virtual location. The site can also be viewed in Spanish.

"The STEAM Hub enables communities to stay plugged in with New Mexico organizations who continue to engage and nurture curiosity and creativity in students," said Jennifer Case Nevarez, director of the Community Learning Network.

From content areas to a network of support
As the summer wound down and teachers geared up for hybrid and remote learning, the STEAM Hub followed suit, expanding resources to support the whole student. Educational content on the STEAM Hub is organized under the five topic areas, with an additional section for environmental science. The teachers' section features professional opportunities; best practices for online instruction; technology resources; and support for teaching students with special needs, or limited digital technology. Caregivers and parents can find guides for online learning platforms; regional maps of free Internet access points; and a Child Care Hub with information on shared-schooling options, grants for child care providers, state resources and more.

Share your feedback
The STEAM Hub represents a dynamic, growing ecosystem with numerous individuals and organizations contributing content. We invite you to explore nmsteamhub.com and share your thoughts via the contact form. How is your student's online learning going? Do you have resources to recommend, or insight to share? Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too.

All together, New Mexico
Driving home recently, I was flipping through the radio stations. I paused at an interview with a medical professional, right as the radio host asked if the doctor could share a hopeful story or bright spot that had emerged amid the pandemic. The response? Countless instances of collaboration and kindness. People and communities had come together like never before to overcome big challenges.
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Our state has great power to surmount difficulties as we stay connected and collaborative. STEAM learning helps students cultivate skills to thrive in the 21st century, and builds a generation of innovators. The challenges faced locally, nationally and globally make this education more important now than ever.