Gravette library hosts STEAM program kickoff
GRAVETTE — Library manager Karen Benson and staff members at the Gravette Public Library hosted a kickoff for their fall STEAM program Friday afternoon, Aug. 23. The library’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) program provides hands-on learning for students in grades six through 12. Students will be able to choose from 25 different projects and earn badges for their participation when they complete the projects.
STEAM is an after-school program that will begin on Monday, Sept. 9, with sessions held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each session will last from an hour and a half to two hours. Maker Mondays will offer arts and crafts activities. Tech Tuesdays feature robotics and circuitry projects. Wear-It Wednesdays will focus on textiles, accessories and jewelry making and Code Club Fridays will offer instruction in computer coding and graphic design.
At the STEAM @ The Library kick-off, students were able to sign up for sessions they are interested in and get a look at some of the equipment they will be using in the after-school sessions. Sample activities were set up for them to see, and badges to be earned were also on display. Students participated in such activities as building circuits, making badges, operating robots and weaving bracelets.
On hand to help with the event were volunteers from the Best Buy store in Rogers, including store manager Barry Hastings and employees Zeb May, Santana Mead, Andrew Brixey and Shawn Doyle. They were representing Best Buy’s Community Outreach program.
The Gravette Public Library, at 119 Main Street S.E., is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.