Last summer, the Harvey County Extension office ran a STEM program at Lillian Tear Library, and according to Librarian Chantel Rindt, everybody loved it. So she went out and got a grant and now runs a monthly STEM program for elementary-aged students. Last week, 13 kids (Rindt said they average 15 to 18 each month) gathered to build using sticks, marshmallows and gummy bears. Then they played a game of rolling dice that required adding to complete rows. Rindt said she doesn’t have a specific curriculum for the program but searches the Internet and uses a couple of books to come up with ideas. “I homeschool my youngest kiddo, and all the kids that will be here today are from our homeschool community,” Rindt said. That was for the 2 to 3 p.m. session. She also runs a 5 to 6 p.m. session and said she tries to schedule the monthly meetings on Fridays that won’t interfere with public school activities so kids can attend. The program has been going on since October. “It’s a lot of fun,” Rindt said. “We have 3-D printing pins that we used. We play games and build things, and it’s a lot of fun.” Next month, the STEM program will take place on Friday, March 15, from 2 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.
Source: Harvey County Now
