STEAM in our programming

STEAM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.  Art was recently added, you may have heard the term STEM.  STEM is based on skills generally using the left half of the brain and thus is logic driven. Much research and data shows that activities like Arts, which uses the right side of the brain supports and fosters creativity, which is essential to innovation. Clearly the combination of superior STEM education combined with Arts education (STEAM) should provide us with the education system that offers us the best chance for regaining the innovation leadership essential to the new economy. {http://steam-notstem.com/about/ accessed 4/4/14}

We love STEAM at the library.  Here are some ways we offer STEAM at the Library and how you can follow-up at home. 

Science- We offer Story Time Science programs where there is a topic like Dinosaurs, we read books about Dinosaurs, do an experiment about Dinosaurs and then make a craft. There will be a family Story Time Science program in June. Our theme for this years Summer Reading is Fizz, Boom, Read!. We will have a lot of science activities for kids this summer. 

Technology- A new program we are offering, Tablet Time (May and June see the calendar for details) will show families how to use books, apps and technology together and interactively. We have used some apps in our story times, our favorite has been Animal Sounds. We will have Apple TV in the near future and that will allow our story times to have technology that is interactive. Technology will only be a bigger part of our children's lives and we want to show you how to use it so you and your child get the most out of the experience. We also have children's e-books available. 

Engineering- Lego Club is a perfect example. Our next session is April 23rd. We provide the Lego's and kids provide the creativity. We love to see families come and build together. Kids using the Duplo blocks, the foam blocks and foam shapes at the library is another way to engineer. 

Arts- Paint me a story, Art Club, and Preschool Story time are just a few examples of how we love art and crafts around here!  

Math- Math crafts, story times, anything involving music (Reading, Rhythm and Rhyme) and dancing (Bop til you Drop and Movin' and Groovin) all involve math. Think about the skills involved in singing a song such as "This Old Man". This simple song incorporates many basic math skills, including matching and comparing (through changes in pitch, volume, and rhythm); patterning and sequencing (through repetitions of melodies, rhythms, and lyrics); and counting and addition (identifying cardinal numbers and adding one more with each verse). When you add moving to the beat, you have created an entire mind/body package of learning rolled into one song!

You can do STEAM activities with your kids at home? Cooking and Baking involve Science and Math.  We have lots of fun cookbooks aimed at children and families (j 641.5 call number.)
Craft projects at home from the simple to the elaborate cover the Art portion. Our craft books are located at j 745.5.   Play some engineering games with your child online at PBS Kids. This covers Engineering and Technology. Try and expose your child to a variety of ideas and any interests they have. 

Cathy