My library is utilizing the iRead theme this yr, Learn Past the Crushed Path. We wish to embrace STEAM actions in our summer time library program and determined to convey again one thing the library did earlier than my time known as “Creation Stations”. These are passive actions that may be carried out at any of our areas with a brand new exercise each week. A number of the Creation Stations I’ve deliberate for this yr are yarn artwork, pipe cleaners, straw rockets, tent constructing, and leaf shows. About half of the stations are based mostly on science, math and engineering, and the opposite half are based mostly on artwork. I wish to share an instance of how I deliberate a creation station, how a lot preparation went into it, and the way we plan to run it in our library.
I discovered nearly all of the concepts on Pinterest, which is my favourite solution to get new concepts for my library! There was additionally a publish on the ALSC weblog in 2020 titled Info Literacy in STEAM Programming by the ALSC Mental Freedom Committee. This publish gives tips about learn how to incorporate STEAM programming into your library and in addition gives some programming concepts. These are nice assets if you wish to take up STEAM programming and do not know the place to begin or simply want some new concepts.
An instance of a creation station I made is the tent constructing exercise, which is most associated to our theme of studying off the crushed monitor. On Pinterest I noticed comparable concepts about constructing buildings somewhere else and I selected tents as a result of it’s immediately associated to our theme. Constructing a tent entails engineering and artwork and touches on a number of STEAM components. We additionally had bins stuffed with scraps of material to make use of and I believed they might be good for constructing tents.
For the bottom of the tent, I selected small popsicle sticks as an alternative of toothpicks as a result of I used to be afraid that children would prick themselves whereas attempting to attach the toothpicks collectively. I attempted utilizing washi tape to attach the tent elements as we have now tons of washi tape however the tape was too weak so I ended up having to make use of duct tape. I made a decision to place washi tape on the desk for them to check out so they might uncover which kind of tape would greatest go well with their construction. For the tent material, my crew and I lower tons of of squares from leftover material so the youngsters can select no matter material design they need. They’ll additional lower the scraps into any desired form for his or her tents. The engineering of the tent base was a lot trickier than I anticipated, however it must be a enjoyable problem for them.
We estimate that roughly 300 tents can be accomplished in any respect our areas throughout the summer time. I ready about 900 popsicle sticks, 300 scraps of material, a lot of duct tape, washi tape, and scissors. I additionally made trifolds with common directions for our creation stations and directions for constructing a tent. This mission took about 5-6 hours to plan and put together and I did this for 8 completely different tasks. The execution can be easy and the association proven can be stored close to the primary circulation desk in order that the youngsters can full them at any time.
Creation stations are enjoyable tasks that may stimulate kids’s love for STEAM and get them excited to return to the library. They’ve been very fashionable in recent times and I hope they are going to be a success once more this yr.
Do you embrace STEAM programming in your summer time schedule? What are your concepts?
Present visitor blogger Kirsten Caldwell has a grasp’s diploma in chemistry and data science with a certificates in youth care. She is a brand new youth help assistant at a public library and works with kids ages 0-18, though she desires to specialise in early literacy. Enthusiastic about programming and the easiest way to inform tales, she joined ALSC to satisfy and study from different librarians throughout the nation.
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