Newport News Public Library: Full STEAM Ahead
Newport News Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
The purpose of the project was to help organically develop STEAM related skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and math in children (pre-kindergarten through 1st grade). Skills were developed through active play and hands on activities through inquiry instruction. Inquiry instruction encouraged children to experiment and interact with age appropriate objects that encouraged exploration and creativity. The project incorporated a series of monthly programs that took place at the Pearl Bailey, Main Street and Virgil Grissom libraries. The outreach department brought STEAM related programs into the community and focused on Title 1 schools and day care centers in underserved communities through our established partnerships.
Partner programs from outside vendors were incorporated when appropriate to deliver onsite STEAM programming.
Funding for this project was provided by the Coastal VA STEM Hub.
Challenge/Opportunity
The objective of the program was to introduce STEAM activities to the targeted age group. All activities were age appropriate and were not only fun, but also educational for the participants.
There was a lack of available STEAM resources in the community for pre-kindergarten through 1st grade children. Many parents/caregivers had limited resources and knowledge of STEAM. Parents wanted their children to participate in the program at the library to introduce their youth to these new concepts. Parental engagement remained high throughout the program.
Outreach efforts brought STEAM activities to Title 1 schools and local day care centers. These locations serve at-risk 4-year olds in the critical year before they enter Kindergarten. These preschool locations lacked the materials and equipment needed to provide STEAM-based instruction. Teachers were active participants in the process.
Key Elements of Innovation
STEAM concepts were incorporated in our traditional programs. A variety of tools were used to demonstrate these concepts. Children were encourage to experiment throughout the process. Children interacted with robots, built structures with Legos and were introduced to many hands-on activities. Math skills were developed and reinforced with the use of giant foam blocks. Children experimented with early learning STEM kits. STEAM literacy was reinforced through experimentation incorporated into story-times. Children had an opportunity to plant and watch flowers grow with Aerogarden green houses.
Lesson plans and program objectives were developed by our Board of Trustee Liaison from the Newport News Public School System.
The main focus of the program was to make sure that participants received exposure to STEAM concepts. Each weekly activity focused on one element of STEAM.
Achieved Outcomes
Exposing children in the targeted population to STEAM activities helped to develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills and also helped build a STEAM related vocabulary. By offering these experiences through the Newport News Public Library, many of the barriers to participation such as cost and access were eliminated. There were over 5,500 participants in the program. As the program grew in popularity, there was a noticeable increase in parent/caregiver participation.
Parents/caregivers experimented along with their children as their confidence in STEAM also increased.
Due to the popularity of this program, we now have circulating STEAM kits to encourage parents/caregivers to continue to be active partners as their preschoolers continue to explore and learn.
Participants have a foundation on which to build as they enter school.