STEAM activities are a popular type of programming aimed at school-aged children to help reinforce the learning of principles related to science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. As a school-based theory, curriculum and programming centered on STEAM principles helps youth to increase knowledge in these subject areas while strengthening critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
In September, your Mockingbird Branch will offer two afternoon Project STEAM sessions for youth to delve into hands-on projects relating to these principles. Our first session will run on Wednesday, September 13 at 4:00PM. Regular sessions will continue on the second and fourth Wednesday afternoons at the same time in the Activity Room.
At each session, youth services staff will supply the materials to complete a new STEAM challenge. On our first session, we’ll show youth how to create Exploding Boomerangs, which are a type of stick bomb that resembles the shape of a boomerang. Using popsicle sticks, youth will learn how to arrange them in the shape of a boomerang utilizing the elasticity of the sticks. Using the principles of science, youth will learn about potential energy, which is the stored energy by the sticks when formed into the boomerang shape through tension points. Then, when thrown in the air and making contact with another surface, the potential energy will be released, turning into kinetic energy, causing the sticks to go flying in different directions.
Exploding Boomerangs will be a fun project to kick off the Project STEAM series, and youth are encouraged to return for future sessions to strengthen their knowledge of STEAM principles, while learning how to put together great projects they can do again and again on their own time at home.
Don’t miss our first Project STEAM session at your Mockingbird Branch, located at 1326 N. Mockingbird Ln, on Wednesday, September 13 at 4:00PM. The library will supply all materials and instructions needed. For more information about this new series, contact Youth Services Librarian Amanda Sasser at 325-437-7323, or via email at amanda.sasser@abilenetx.gov.
Plus, take advantage of additional STEAM activities hosted across library branches including the STEAM Lo-Fi series, South STEAM program, and Engineering Club, as well as checking out our STEAM kits to engage in fun activities at home and at your own pace.