Grant to buy science kits for Glenside Library
Glenside Public Library District in Glendale Heights has been awarded a grant that will enable it to purchase science kits that will be available for circulation in April.
The grant is part of a program of the Chicago section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers that gives public libraries up to $2,000 to create circulating science kits to encourage pre-university students to take part in hands-on and self-directed educational opportunities in math and science.
The funds will allow the Glenside Public Library District to create circulating science kits composed of hands-on learning objects and other supporting materials. A representative from the IEEE will present the grant to the library at the Mousetrap Machine Science Show presented by Smarty Pants at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Glenside Library District, 25 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights.
The library's ongoing effort to create more opportunities for hands-on exploration in an informal and fun learning environment was the inspiration for seeking this grant. Before securing this grant, library staff surveyed local teachers on how these kits could enhance their curriculum.
"Libraries have always been a space that encourages curiosity and wonder," said Elizabeth Forkan, youth librarian who collaborated on the creation of the kits. "And we wanted to take it a step further by specifically fostering curiosity through STEM exploration."
She said the library recognizes that making these increasingly important fields of science, technology, engineering and math as fun, accessible and interactive as possible is the best way to encourage enthusiasm in these areas. Because STEM has become a central educational initiative within the Glendale Heights community with area schools now including STEM labs for students, the library wanted to be a part of that STEM innovation.
"We want to support learning in our community by going beyond the programs that we already offer," said Jill Martorano, head of youth services. "These kits will provide opportunities for our patrons to take STEM exploration into the home and classroom with materials that they may not have access to."
The Tinker with It: Hands-on STEM Kits will contain a variety of items such as a human body model, a telescope, robotics or dinosaur fossils - all with the goal of allowing patrons to explore the science of the world around us. Every kit will come with a hands-on object, instructions for use, a book, possibly a DVD, and suggested activities or experiments. These kits will be available for library-card holders in April, and some will be on display at the library's first STEAM Fest scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Area organizations and businesses are invited to showcase innovations in science, technology, engineering, art and math at the event.
The IEEE-Chicago Section's Science Kits for Public Libraries Grant is funded by donations from its more than 4,000 local members, as well as additional funding provided by Motorola Solutions.