Live! Local! Library!

Step right up! Right this way, folks! One day only in the big tent!

Don’t mind me. I’m just getting in the mood for today’s HiTech STEAM Carnival at the library.

Today, beginning at nine am at the East Columbia Branch of the Howard County Library: a Hi-Tech STEAM Carnival with STEAM games and activities for the whole family. Stop by between nine am and one pm to play carnival games like skeeball, catapult, pinball, ring toss, and Ten80 cars. There will be hands-on experiments in Earth science and chemistry, a football throw-off featuring local football players, plus opportunities to play games like corn hole, and giant Jenga.

Bring some money in case you get hungry while you’re there. Food will be available for purchase.

I’ve noticed that the library has been offering free, interactive STEAM classes (available through mid-August) at the East Columbia branch this summer. They’re also offered at the Elkridge & Savage Branches, too.

Excited about STEAM? Then you’ll be thrilled to learn about the unveiling of the library’s new STEAM Machine, which will take place today at 10:30 am at the Carnival.

The STEAM Machine is a mobile classroom that will:

…make science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education available to all students, especially those from disconnected communities by taking classes and resources to locations throughout Howard County.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, I’m guessing the public will be invited to take a closer look. It sounds amazing:

The STEAM Machine is a 33' Farber diesel bus featuring a climate-controlled classroom that seats 12 students and is equipped with Wi-Fi, laptop computers, two 49" LED TVs, sound system, and video production equipment. A 55" LCD monitor and two awnings allow classes to be taught and activities conducted outside.

I was at the ribbon-cutting last summer for the Pop-Up On the Road to Kindergarten Library Van. What I wrote then definitely still applies.

It doesn’t surprise me that this great idea comes from the Howard County Library. They’ve always been the sort of folks who are willing to get outside the library buildings and go to where the people are: visiting schools, supporting Battle of the Books, and, most recently, partnering with OMO during the pandemic to provide supplemental online programming. And that’s just what I can think of off the top of my head.

The other day I wrote about a concept of preservation that focuses on sharing and providing access without obstacles. Our library system, rooted in the motto “Public education for all”, is driven by that same purpose. Sharing. Providing access. Removing obstacles.

Come out and have some fun today. You’ll probably learn a few things, too. If you go, let me know what you (or your kids) liked the most.

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