PLAY IS MINI ‘STEM’

Library offers science experiments for preschoolers in the form of water play

The Lorain Public Library System North Ridgeville Branch, 35700 Bainbridge Road, expanded its programming Sept. 4 by giving preschoolers the opportunity to do some science experiments.

“We are going to have these specialty events every so often with the next one being Oct. 23 (1:30 p.m.),” said Chelsea Jewell, library associate at the North Ridgeville branch. “We have a lot of the usual story times that you typically see with libraries, so this is a way to get away from that a bit and have a science and math event.”

Jewell said this event focused on encouraging play with water and how it works.

“We are bringing in more STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities.” — Chelsea Jewell, library associate at the North Ridgeville branch

“I read a couple of books to the group about water, and then I mapped out several experiments for them to do,” she said. “I have one station set up that looks at different objects that float in water.

“We also have a sponge station that looks at how a sponge absorbs water. There is a magnet station that shows how a magnetic pull works in water. I also have an area that has them practicing pouring water into different measuring containers, so you have a lot of science stuff and other areas that work on developing motor skills.”

Jewell said the event is an example of how libraries are adapting to the current education movement of adding more hands-on activities.

“We are bringing in more STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities,” she said. “A lot of this stuff was being done at Avon (library, 37485 Harvest Drive), where I was previously before being relocated to this branch, so I brought a lot of these ideas with me.

“I plan on incorporating some more activities like family engineer nights, coding club and things like that.”

Donna Baron, of North Ridgeville, was at the event with her 4-year-old grandson, Broody Sowders.

“We love the library; it’s our favorite spot,” Baron said. “They usually have something that he likes to do.”

Amy Fortener, of Avon, brought her son, Noah, 4, to the library event.

“We really like going to all the libraries in the area; they do a great job,” Fortener said. “He [Noah] likes to these science experiments.

“Anytime they have something like this, we are there.”

ZACHARY SRNIS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Avon resident Amy Fortener conducts an experiment Sept. 4 with her son, Noah, 4, at the library in North Ridgeville.

ZACHARY SRNIS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Donna Baron helps her grandson Broody Sowders, both North Ridgeville residents, with an experiment using water and magnets Sept. 4 at the Lorain Public Library System North Ridgeville branch.