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Grant helps fund science kits at Warrenville library

A $2,000 grant from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-Chicago Section will help the Warrenville Public Library District fund science kits for children and teens interested in exploring concepts in science, technology, engineering and math.

The grant will be combined with donations from the Warrenville Public Library Designated Fund of the DuPage Foundation and individual gifts from library supporters to specially curate science kits available for check out to library members.

The kits will consist of tools and devices centered on specific themes such as electricity or engineering. Leila Heath, the library's head of public services, said the grant will serve a need in the community for more science-based programs.

"Kids as young as 5 and through high school can experiment with a variety of kits in our new collection to supplement what they might be learning in school or at a library STEM program," she said.

Library members will be able to check out the kits for two weeks, giving them enough time for multiple observations and experiments.

Norm Phoenix, an IEEE executive committee member who supports funding for circulating science kits at public libraries, believes using the kits in a home setting has advantages much like bringing home a book from the library.

"Students can take a more leisurely approach to experimenting," he said. "They don't have the time constraints like they do in school or at STEM programs."

Phoenix also considers the kits to be especially valuable to home-schoolers.

The kits will be on display during an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the library, 28W751 Stafford Place. The event will include a prize drawing for a membership to SciTech Hands On Museum in Aurora.

Science kits will be available for check out to library members beginning Monday, June 4. For details, call the library's Youth Services Desk at (630) 393-1171, ext. 124, or visit warrenville.com.

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