June 16, 2021, via Zoom The program: From chemistry to construction, toys have prepared generations of kids to pursue careers in STEM fields. Discover how these toys, once marketed primarily to boys, have evolved to encourage all children through play to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Bridging the Gender Divide – Toys that Build STEM Skills offers a historical look at how toys helped children develop the skills that contributed to success in STEM-based careers, and how the advertising of these toys has changed over time to reflect cultural values. The speaker: Amy McKune has served as T/m’s Curator of Collections since 2017 and is the curator of the exhibit, Bridging the Gender Divide: Toys that Build STEM Skills. She holds a BA in Anthropology from Kenyon College and an M.A. in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program, SUNY – Oneonta. During Amy’s 30-year career, she has served in curatorial and collections management positions for five museums. Between 1992 and 1996, she played a key role in creating the new Washington State History Museum (Tacoma, WA) and a 23,000 ft² long-term exhibition on Washington State’s history. Amy is drawn to topics related to equity for women, so she welcomed the opportunity to curate this exhibition.

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