{"id":30056,"date":"2024-01-13T01:01:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-13T06:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=30056"},"modified":"2024-01-11T16:32:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T21:32:54","slug":"stem-steam-demos-and-open-play-for-school-and-class-visits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2024\/01\/stem-steam-demos-and-open-play-for-school-and-class-visits\/","title":{"rendered":"STEM\/ STEAM demos and open play for school and class visits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The first time I took my public library\u2019s robotics kit on the road, I was visiting a middle school on the east side of Harlem for a career fair. This school was largely Spanish-speaking students, so my colleague and I did our best to find bilingual materials and books to hand out (book lists, library card applications, bookmarks, pencils, etc). I had the idea that I would set up one of our robotics kits<\/a> for the kids to use, for the purpose of showing them that the library was \u201cmore than books.\u201d Demos and open play offer an immediate and immersive activity or illustration, without the need for lecture or a lot of instruction. This barrier-free engagement is a bonus especially now, where migrant students in our district are non-English speaking, and urgently need language accommodations that teachers and librarians are trying to adequately provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was in the kit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Our robotics kit features a robotics ball that is programmed to be controlled by an iPad. The kits are available for loan with a library card and are portable (the robotics ball is about the size of a golf ball). The ball is coded for many games, but the way I always introduce it to students is by showing them how to \u201cdrive\u201d the ball, or make it move with the ipad. In smaller class visits, we have set up obstacle courses that they have to navigate the ball through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Robotics kit set up in a toddler activity pen, so it doesn\u2019t roll away in a school gym.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Show, don’t tell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just as we display our books, we should display our projects and materials! We can highlight and demo STEM\/STEAM materials during programs, school visits, and on tables at outreach events. I am lucky that my library also has other available building kits for use. These are portable and perfect for class visits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of our favorites at NYPL are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n