2014 Fall LATI Susie Mahone Program Proposal

Program Description
Science Wednesdays, a weekly drop-in hands on science activity at the Aberdeen branch.
Need for the Program
Libraries are ideal environments for informal STEM learning. The Maryland STEM Education Strategic
Plan supports STEM education in school environments and out of school environments (MSDE STEM,
2014). A total of 17,000 libraries across the U.S. are good prospects for providing informal settings for
STEM learning (Baek, 2013). The Aberdeen branch hosts a Science Club event once a month on the third
Wednesday evening of the month. This event is sometimes well attended but sometimes only attracts
one or two children. Well attended programs like Tiny World Terrariums, Mother Goose Science and Ben
Franklin Science demonstrate customer interest in science at the library. Science Wednesdays aim to
increase regular attendance at the monthly Science Club events by providing awareness of science events
at the library and stimulating interest and confidence in science skills.
Potential Partners
Aberdeen Proving Ground
Aberdeen Proving Ground staff already partner with the library by providing science programs at multiple
branches. This partnership could be enhanced by the library and APG working together to prepare dropin hands on activities that stimulate interest for upcoming APG science programs.
Star Library Education Network
The Star Library Education Network is a national program led by the Space Science Institutes National
Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL). The Star Library Education Network provides research,
programming, training and communication forums for STEM programs in libraries.
Anita Light Estuary Center
The Anita Light Estuary Center is a local research and education facility which is part of the Chesapeake
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The estuary center provides Education Trunks which can be
borrowed and used for programming. In addition, partnering with the Anita Leight Estuary Center could
include providing drop-in hands on activities at the library which highlight activities and events at the
estuary center.
Steps Necessary to Implement Science Wednesdays
Create a designated space for activities (Science Station)
Plan and develop a list of drop-in hands on science activities
Procure supplies as needed
Schedule weekly set-up
Marketing (Create flyers and postcards to advertise)
Evaluation
Program evaluation will include Science Club participation statistics, Program Evaluation Feedback forms
and Science Station statistics.
Library Mission
Science Wednesdays align with HCPLs mission to provide access to information and promote the love of
reading. Like Science Club, Science Wednesdays provide information about science and encourage
interaction with that information. Hands on science learning is tangible information provided in an
environment that can be adapted to suit multiple learning styles. Science Wednesdays also support the
systems vision and new strategic plan for anticipating services and providing WOW experiences.
References
Baek, John. "Public Libraries as Places for STEM Learning: An Exploratory Interview Study with Eight Librarians." Star_net. 1 Oct. 2013.
Web. 5 Dec. 2014. <http://www.nc4il.org/images/papers/Baek_Public Libraries as Places for STEM Learning.pdf>
"MSDE STEM." MSDE STEM. 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 5 Dec. 2014. <http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/
stem/index.html>.

2014 Fall LATI Susie Mahone Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Janine M. Lis
Harford County Public Library
(o) 410 273 5600 x2256 (m) 443 252 0623
lis@hcplonline.org
HCPLonline.org

SCIENCE WEDNESDAYS AT THE ABERDEEN LIBRARY THIS SPRING

(Belcamp, Maryland March 01, 2015) Harford County Public Library is pleased to
announce Science Wednesdays coming to the Aberdeen Library this spring.
Science Wednesdays are a series of weekly drop-in hands on science activities that foster
interest in science and develop confidence in science skills. Hands on activities are designed
for kindergarten through 8th grade.
For more information please contact your local branch or go to HCPLonline.org.
Harford County Public Library operates 11 branches located throughout the county. The
library serves more than 187,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual
circulation of more than 4.4 million. Harford County Public Library is committed to
connecting people with information and promoting the love of reading within the
community.
-ENDSocial Media
Weekly science activities will be posted on Facebook and include a preview for the following
week.