STEAM Programs Help Prepare Kids for Jobs of the Future
Looking for something to do with the little ones in the house? (That includes the visiting grandchildren.) Consider dropping by the library to blow off a little STEAM.
STEAM stands for Science Technology Engineering Art and Math (sometimes known as STEM). It’s a popular theme in school and library programs these days because to better prepare children for the jobs of the future.
The library’s Early Literacy Specialist Stephanie Smallwood adds, however, that those skills are critical for all parts of life, regardless of their career paths.
“STEAM is appropriate for all ages but there are some extra reasons to focus on it in early childhood,” Stephanie says. “These are fields that many adults feel uncomfortable with (‘I'm bad at math,’ ‘Science is boring,’ ‘I'm not artistic’), so providing additional opportunities for children and their caregivers to enjoy these experiences is beneficial to all.
“These are also areas that adults tend to consider highly advanced, but in reality young children do naturally,” Stephanie adds. “It's important for kids to have STEAM experiences and also for caregivers to see what they actually look like.”
Libraries are perfect places to support STEAM, she says, and we host an array of STEAM/Maker programs for all ages.
You can find the upcoming ones at thelibrary.org/programs. A few coming up:
- Sunday Make ‘n’ Play for age 3-grade 4, 2-4 p.m. July 7; and Itsy Bitsy Science Club 10 a.m. July 10 for ages 2-6 at Schweitzer Brentwood Branch
- The Maker Camp for grades 1-6 every Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. through July 31 at the Library Station
- Build a Mars Rover for grades 1-3 Aug. 2 at 4 p.m. (and 6 p.m. for grades 4-6) using our STEAM toys; and the STEAM Book Club July 11, 6:30 p.m. for grades 3-6 at the Library Center
All the LEGO brick, art and music activities, storytimes and many of the Summer Reading Program space-related events incorporate STEAM. Kids also get to play with Quirkbots, Snap Circuits, Icee Ices, magnatiles, looms, boomwhackers and gravity mazes.
Stephanie adds, “We're working together to bring STEAM experiences to kids of all ages to develop critical skills and broaden their interests.”
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