State Library Kicks Off Summer STEM Camps for Students | STAGING Compendium

Compendium

News for Pennsyslvania Libraries

State Library Kicks Off Summer STEM Camps for Students

by | Jun 19, 2019 | Academic Libraries, Children's Services, Glenn R. Miller Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Libraries, Library News, Resources of Interest, Rural and Small Libraries, School Libraries

June 19, 2019
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania students ages 10-16 with an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) can expand their learning through the State Library’s makerspace summer programs, which kick off today and run through mid-August.

“The State Library’s makerspace is great way for students to pursue their interests in STEM-related subjects throughout the summer and reduce the summer slide,” said Glenn Miller, Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Libraries. “It’s also a lot of fun for students because the activities are largely hands-on learning.”

Students in the library’s single-day programs will learn how artificial prosthetics are constructed; create their own comic books; explore disease trends; study wildlife science; and examine the physics behind roller coasters. The first program begins June 27.

The summer STEM camp, which started today, runs on consecutive Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants in the camp will learn about Prehistoric and Microscopic Marine Life, Sharks, Fishes and Reef Ecology, Marine Mammals and Sea Perch, Freshwater Ecology, and Climate Change and Evolution.

The programs are currently being held at the Pennsylvania State Museum, located at 300 North Street, while the State Library undergoes renovations.

The makerspace provides science and technology programming and education to children, adults, librarians, and teachers. Activities are largely hands-on using the makerspace’s computers with coding software, robot kits, Raspberry Pi and Arduino kits, and 3D printers. For teachers and librarians, the makerspace staff test various types and pieces of equipment and procedures and provide training and curriculum.

The schedule of summer activities is available on the State Library website.

Since taking office, Governor Wolf has championed expanding access to computer science and STEM education. Through his innovative PAsmart initiative, the administration has awarded nearly $20 million to bolster STEM and computer science in schools and nearly $10 million to expand apprenticeships and job training.

For more information about Pennsylvania’s education policies and programs, please visit the Department of Education’s website at www.education.pa.gov or follow PDE on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.