The past year has been a challenging one for everyone in our community. Our Makerspace was a popular place for people of all ages to be from 3:30 – 5:00 pm during the weekdays. With the Makerspace closed for the foreseeable future, we are looking for ways to continue to support and expand on student learning.

The staff spent time this Spring and Summer brainstorming how to continue to support our community using the Makerspace. We created videos showcasing Makerspace items and STEAM concepts. However, we also wanted to provide a way for patrons to check out STEAM kits.

After researching and discussing procedures for checking out, cleaning, and quarantine, we applied for and received a grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation for science kits that can circulate. We now have multiple sets of seven different types of Library Science Kits that will foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and the scientific method of discovery. These kits are suitable for a wide range of ages and grade levels. They support and expand on student learning in the schools as they incorporate different Next Generation Science Standards.

Parents and caregivers can feel confident that these kits will be fun to experiment with and explore alongside their children, encouraging a love of science. Staff is creating How-to videos to accompany each kit. Stay tuned as the kits will be ready to go into circulation in early February 2021.