“STEM”-ulating Young Minds: Creating Science-Based Programming @ Your Library

ABSTRACT

A public librarian's desire to go beyond outdated science fair experiments and bring a fun and challenging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics program to her library's summer reading club led to a successful partnership between the library and a local nonprofit science organization. Together they created a unique “science discovery camp,” now in its third year. The camp introduces middle-school-aged students to basic science concepts, actively engages them in creative experiments, and uses fun competitions to test scientific theories. The author explores the importance of developing community partnerships.

KEYWORDS:

• science
• technology
• engineering
• mathematics
• STEM
• libraries
• informal education
• library programming
• community partnerships