State Library Offers Summer STEM Programs in Its Makerspace

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published July 4, 2018 4:26 am
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HARRISBURG, Pa. – The State Library in Harrisburg is offering summer STEM camps to Pennsylvania students ages 10-16 through mid-August.

The program is hosted in the State Library’s makerspace, and activities are largely hands-on using the makerspace’s computers with coding software, robot kits, Raspberry Pi and Arduino kits, and 3D printers; participants will also visit the State Museum. The theme of this year’s program is Geology and Paleontology.

“The State Library’s makerspace is great resource for students and other visitors to access to high-tech tools for hands-on learning, especially computer science and STEM-related activities,” Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera said. “Every summer we encourage youth to stay sharp by participating in summer activities like a STEM camp. These programs, and others like it, are a great way to reduce the summer slide.”

Rivera added that the State Library, like many public libraries across Pennsylvania, is offering innovative programs to engage learners of all ages throughout the year.

“Libraries are evolving to meet the needs of their communities,” Deputy Secretary for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Glenn Miller said. “Public libraries across Pennsylvania are helping people find jobs, teaching kids about STEM, and offering community resources.”

In addition to a variety of education programs like STEM camps, Miller said libraries across the commonwealth are lending items as diverse as home, garden, and kitchen tools, ties, and musical instruments.

Throughout the summer, PDE leaders will visit educational camps, libraries, and colleges to highlight the importance of STEM education as part of the #SummerOfSTEM tour. More information about the State Library’s summer STEM camp can be found on the library’s website at www.statelibrary.pa.gov.

Since taking office in 2015, Governor Wolf has championed expanding access to computer science and STEM education. This year he introduced PAsmart, a $30 million investment to develop and expand computer science and STEM in K-12 education, to prepare and train educators to teach in computer science, STEM, and to offer job training for adults in computer science.

For more information about Pennsylvania’s education policies and programs, please visit the Department of Education’s website at www.education.pa.gov or follow PDE on FacebookTwitter, or Pinterest.

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