Make it a Year of Discovery: Treat the Kids to Adventure Backpacks and STEM Kits
The new year can be one of discovery and adventure for the kids and the whole family with two unique kits you can check out from The Library and take home: STEM Kits and Adventure Backpacks.
STEM Kits are toys and learning kits that integrate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. (Add Art, and you make STEAM.) Teachers and parents know that STEM Kits are great tools for stimulating children’s curiosity, problem solving and preparing them for future professional pursuits. (Many of the Springfield-Greene County Libraries also have regular STEM and STEAM programming.
The kits are geared for children in grades 1-5, and let them explore their favorite STEM topics. You can find the kit you want to try at thelibrary.org/catalog keyword: “Stem Kit.”
There are over 20 types of kits that cover engineering, sound, coding and basic science concepts like simple machines, and magnets. Look for these and other kits: Three little pigs problem solving, Robotics and coding, Explore outdoors, Trucks and tools, All about magnets, and Magna tiles.
Some components in the kits may require batteries, and some include a number of components and pieces.
Then there’s the Adventure Backpack for a fun outing to the backyard, a city park or Ozarks forest. They check out for three weeks, just like books, and are geared for elementary-age children.
Backpacks are available in six themes: Animals, Plants, Nature Exploration, Birdwatching, Bugs and Geology.
Each backpack is filled with gadgets depending on the theme, and may include a magnifying glass, Port-O-Bug container, binoculars, field guides, a dip net, a wing-nut plant press and other tools children can use to explore the outdoors. Each one also includes nonfiction books, fiction and picture books related to the theme.
You can check them out from the Republic Branch Library, or request one through thelibrary.org/catalog to be sent to your neighborhood branch. Just search “Adventure Backpack,” and select the topic you want.
Both activity kits are available any time of the year, but just may come in handy in the coming months as your family looks for more "edu-tainment."
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=7146&lid=63