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The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), the STAR Library Network (STAR Net) with its NASA@ My Library program, and NASA are working together on a virtual launch pad filled with numerous STEM resources that libraries can utilize for their celebration of space exploration as part the 2019 “A Universe of Stories” summer learning event. STAR Net’s "Summer of Space" website provides your library with valuable tools to help your summer learning program achieve great success. Public Libraries can register and become eligible to receive additional STEM resources (including NASA's "Getting a Feel for Lunar Craters" tactile book), build partnerships between libraries, enter to [...]

Please complete application form by Jan 25, 2019 The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) is seeking 3-4 U.S. libraries that are willing to review and pilot test resources and activities related to NASA’s GLOBE Observer citizen science program. Citizen science – also called volunteer science – engages the public in science investigations.  NASA’s GLOBE Observer free mobile app enables citizen scientists of all ages to contribute to NASA science by taking photos and submitting observations of clouds, mosquito habitats, and land cover (see: http://observer.globe.gov). The GLOBE Observer team has also been developing several programming resources (e.g., hands-on activities, arts and [...]

Join Us for this Live Webcast Event! BLOG UPDATE: Click here for a recording of the live webcast event. The tumultuous year of 1968 saw escalation of war, riots in the streets, and assassinations of leaders. During this time of upheaval back on Earth, NASA gave the world hope through its Apollo mission to the Moon. Apollo 8 was the first mission ever to take astronauts to a world beyond Earth. Crew members James Lovell, Frank Borman and Bill Anders launched on Dec. 21, 1968, and reached lunar orbit three days later, on Christmas Eve. The unexpected view of our world [...]

Guest post by Heather Moorefield-Lang Information Literacy Information Literacy, as defined by the Association of College and Research Libraries (2000), is the ability to know when information is needed as well as locate, evaluate, and use that information effectively. Information literacy typically has six steps (ACRL, 2000). Determine the type of information needed Accessing the needed information Evaluating found information critically Integrating new knowledge Use information effectively for the given task Knowing or understanding the legal and/or social issues involved with using the knowledge. In other words, using found information ethically. The idea behind information literacy was originally focused on institutes [...]

Guest post by Afterschool Alliance staff All across America, afterschool programs love their libraries! According to a 2017 study of more than 350 afterschool programs, nearly three-quarters reported that they were working with their local public library in diverse ways, from literacy initiatives to book lending programs and STEM activities. Those informal learning relationships deserve to be featured, and that’s why “Library Partnerships” is a theme of this year’s Lights On Afterschool—the only nationwide celebration of afterschool programs, annually featuring more than 8K events and 1M participants across the country. If you’re not already in partnership with an afterschool program, it can be difficult to [...]

The Louisville Public Library has been a great friend to the STAR Net Project since it’s inception almost 10 years ago. They’re now looking for a new Director to carry on the amazing legacy of Beth Barrett, and requested we share this announcement with STAR Net libraries, as they’re the type of innovative individuals Louisville is looking for! Minimum Qualifications Completion of a Master’s degree program at an American Library Association accredited college or university with major coursework in Library Science and Museum Studies (or Anthropology), and a minimum of seven years of increasingly responsible experience in professional public library administration [...]

Guest post by Margaret Caspe, PhD - Director of research and professional learning at Global Family Research Project How can LED lights, conductive copper tape, and coin batteries bring brightness to families in Homer, Alaska during the darkest winter months? Through a STEM-focused family program at the Homer Public Library of course! Librarians in Homer recently created a series of family workshops highlighting circuit-building skills – one of which focused on making light-up holiday cards. Together parents and children asked questions about positive and negative charges, tinkered, and laughed while creating STEM-inspired seasons greetings.     This is but one example of how public [...]

A group of museums is conducting research on informal science institutions and escape rooms experiences. An escape room is an increasingly popular physical adventure game in which players are “locked” in a room and as a team must solve a series of puzzles to “escape” the room. The purpose of this survey is to the gauge the level of interest among the informal science education community in pop-up escape room experiences that would engage visitors in a group problem-solving activity while teaching basic, NGSS-aligned science content. This survey should only take a few minutes to complete and should cause no more [...]

Are you interested in starting a conversation about climate change in your community? On April 18th, NOVA aired its newest climate change documentary, Decoding the Weather Machine. This two hour special takes a deep dive into our climate machine to explain why scientists agree that our climate is changing, how climate change will impact our daily lives, and how we can be resilient—and even thrive—in the face of this enormous change. We are looking for partners across the country that are interested in bringing a screening of Decoding the Weather Machine to their community. NOVA will provide your school or organization [...]