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Monthly Archives: August 2019

Evaluating STEAM Experiences

2019-08-30T12:21:41-06:00

Earlier this month I participated in a forum about library makerspaces and how we evaluate engagement and measure success. Since my library’s equivalent of a makerspace is STEAM focused, I used my time at the forum to reflect on how I have been evaluating the BOOMbox and related STEAM programming for youth.  End of Shift Report used to collect data. When the BOOMbox opened in November of 2014, we had evaluation methods in place. We asked learners to complete a participation survey after every visit and the survey questions aligned to the goals of the BOOMbox: peer learning and [...]

Evaluating STEAM Experiences2019-08-30T12:21:41-06:00

Public Libraries Are Ideal Venues for Teen Science Cafés

2019-08-28T11:12:48-06:00

By Michelle Hall and Michael Mayhew Co-directors, Teen Science Café Network A teen science café brings high school teens together in a social setting to have a lively conversation with a scientist on some interesting and timely topic. In a teen café program, teens organize all aspects of it with the help of an adult mentor, and hands-on learning activities allow teens to interact one-on-one with the presenter and reveal more about the presenter’s work. The Teen Science Café Network (TSCN) is a community of practice that has grown at a rapid rate to 130 sites in 45 states, the District of [...]

Public Libraries Are Ideal Venues for Teen Science Cafés2019-08-28T11:12:48-06:00

Thank you, NASA

2019-08-22T19:05:06-06:00

I want to begin today by apologizing for having disappeared for a while.  My disappearance wasn't by choice, but sharing my story does give me the opportunity to celebrate NASA, and everything it has accomplished over the last several decades. So, for any one who is curious, here's the story of my spring and summer... I was going about my day to day business, and enthusiastically planning my summer programs (which were going to be really great, by the way), when I woke up bright and early one day, sat up, put my feet on the floor to stand up, and [...]

Thank you, NASA2019-08-22T19:05:06-06:00

Exploring Space: Smart Spacecraft, Big Data, and Modeling Reality

2019-08-05T09:53:14-06:00

By Claire Ratcliffe, Education Coordinator @ NCIL/SSI STAR Net recently launched a national traveling exhibition, Exploring Space: Smart Spacecraft, Big Data, and Modeling Reality. It will be hosted at four different libraries across the country over the course of the next year and showcases the evolving role of computing in space science and astronomy. The four host libraries include Westminster Public Library in Colorado, Brentwood Public Library in Tennessee, Algona Public Library in Iowa, and Marshall-Lyon County Library in Minnesota. Two representatives from each of the four host libraries met with the NCIL team for a workshop about the exhibit and the [...]

Exploring Space: Smart Spacecraft, Big Data, and Modeling Reality2019-08-05T09:53:14-06:00
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