Community Ecology: Museum Education and the Digital Divide During and After COVID-19

Abstract

This article considers the inequities of digital museum programming during the COVID-19 pandemic and their alignment with audiences historically excluded from access to STEAM learning opportunities, primarily communities with low incomes and people of color. We employ an ecosystem framework to assert the critical role museums can play within communities to address these issues during and after pandemic circumstances. We describe a case study from a STEAM-oriented children’s museum where staff provided out-of-school-time learning through reciprocal and collaborative community partnerships.