November 2018 Did You Know...

. . . that MCPL has free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, online resources, and e-books? We are excited to be participating again in the 2018 Maryland STEM Festival from October 26 - November 11. You'll find engaging programs for children and teens at our branches on topics such as flying machines, neuroscience, reptiles, chemical reactions, coding, and more! From applied science to space you can find science articles, biographical information, and science experiments in our online resources. Looking for science e-books? We've got those too. All ages can explore and discover the world around them through STEM with MCPL!


The acronym STEM surrounded by symbols of science
Discover the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)! Sometimes people think of it as something kids learn in school or something that doesn't have anything to do with them, but it does. STEM shapes our lives and our everyday experiences.  From the weather that surrounds us (science), the smartphones we use (technology), the bridges we drive over (engineering), and the money we use to pay for our groceries (math). That's why STEM is for everyone! It's for all ages. It's for children to be able to be successful in school and potentially establish a career in a STEM field. And for everyone it's a chance to understand the world around us.

Profile of a human head with symbols of science
MCPL is thrilled to be part of the Maryland STEM Festival for the fourth year in a row. The festival began October 26  and runs through November 11. The festival's mission is "To encourage students of all ages, regardless of background and experience, to take a greater interest in STEM with the hope they will pursue a STEM based job or career." MCPL is excited to be offering STEM Festival events for all ages at multiple locations around the County. Events range from LEGO® and Duplo® building events for young children to chess clubs for older children and adults. Let your inner Wright brother design a flying machine. Learn about the universe with a traveling planetarium. Try 3D printing. Learn coding. Make recycled paper and more on Science Saturdays at the Olney branch. Adults and seniors can learn about computers, downloading e-books and audiobooks, and more at our technology programs.
Girl examining the interior of a computer

Looking for authoritative and free science information online? From applied science to space, you can find science articles and biographical information from Science in Context and Science Reference Center. If you know your child's Lexile number you can limit the content searched in both databases by your child's reading level. Science Reference Center also offers lesson plans and worksheets for teachers. World Book Online is a great encyclopedia database with science information for all ages. We also have science experiment books on a variety of topics as well as online science fair project resources.

Kids and teacher learning about how beans transform into chocolate
Looking for a science e-books to read? Gale Virtual Reference Library has always available e-books on subjects such as the environment, medicine, science, and technology. Safari Books Online also has a wide variety of always available e-books on computer technology, software development, information technology, engineering, math, and science. Maryland's Digital eLibrary Consortium (Overdrive) is good source for computer technology and science e-books to check out and read.

Go! Kit with backpack, playaway launchpad, DVD, book & folderAnother great way to explore STEM topics with your children is to check out a Go! Kit. The kits are designed to encourage the parent/caregiver and child to actively explore the world around them. Each kit contains several books, science tools, a tablet device with preloaded apps, and a list of the contents of the kit. Each kit can be borrowed for 2 weeks. We have Little Explorer Go! Kits for ages 3-6 and Young Voyager Go! Kits for ages 7-12.

Our branches also have STEM stations, developed for children between the ages of 2 and 12. These hands-on science activities are available during all open hours at each library. Stop by your local branch today to explore and learn.

Interested in trying out new technology? Come to our Digital Media Labs where you can learn and create digital photography, storytelling, video production, graphic design, music videos, social media, animation, computer programming, art, and more. Digital Media Labs are designed for teens and adults.

We invite you to explore, discover, learn, and invent through STEM with MCPL!

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