STEM versus STEAM
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education, fields that are deeply intertwined in the real world. STEAM incorporates the “A” for the arts because to be successful in technical fields, individuals must also be creative and use critical thinking skills, which are developed through exposure to the arts.
STEAM fun at home
With our take-home STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) kits for families, you can explore your world together as a family. Sign up through our online calendar to pick up your kit. For kids and families.
- May: Gravity, Balance and Aerodynamics Sign up here
- June: Crystal Gardens Sign up here
Everyday science at home
Our librarians share some at-home science you can do with items you might have around the house.
Check back for more!
Pre-K STEAM
The library offers preschool math and STEM programs, which combine stories with STEM-related activities.
One popular “number eggs” from a past program can be easily reproduced at home. Take a bag full of plastic eggs – the kind that come apart in two pieces – and label them with a permanent marker. One half of the egg should be labeled with the numeral while the other half of the egg should have dots drawn on to represent that number. Have your child find the corresponding halves.
You can see how easily this technique can be adapted for addition and subtraction, or even analog/digital timekeeping!
School-age STEAM
Engineering programs are great fun, and our young patrons have built spaghetti and marshmallow towers, paper bridges and straw bridges in order to explore how different materials and building designs work. The library provides access and hands-on instruction to popular and innovative technology including 3D puzzles, Legos, Lego WeDo, Ozobots and more. This provides a great foundation in many STEM concepts.
Teen STEAM
Check out our teen STEAM page here.