Aliens, Astronauts and Asteroids: Bringing Space Exploration to your Library

Space… The final frontier. These are the voyages of the Contra Costa County Library’s Space Science programs. Its mission: to do space themed STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) programs, develop partnerships with NASA and to give librarians inspiration to boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before.

                

It’s Not Rocket Science

The program began with an introduction to doing STEAM programs. It may seem complicated or baffling to do a STEAM program with all these complex science concepts, yet with all things, it all begins with taking that first step. In this case, the first step is to start small with STEAM programming by introducing small activities or themes to your already existing programming. For example, all libraries do storytimes, so “outer space” could be a theme. It’s basically putting an emphasis on life long learning as librarians to learn more about STEAM concepts and introducing them into your already existing programs and building from there.

CAL (Community Center, Adaptable, Learning Center) STEAM

The Contra Costa Library’s CAL STEAM programs were conducted in four phases.

Phase 1: Define mission – View the library as a learning center

This helped them develop ideas for programs, some themes were on drones and cultural programs.

Phase 2: Develop community connections and partnerships

They partnered with many other institutions like NASA, JPL, a science center that had traveling programs and local astronomy clubs. It was suggested to start locally and reach out to groups in your community.

Phase 3: Prepare to Launch!

This is where they started doing STEAM programs. It first started with STEAM storytime themes, an MIB themed program with astronaut training activities such as how to do work in space, robotic arms, and rocket kits. Local robotic clubs also were involved.

Phase 4: Larger programs

Astroblast Space Party

This was a larger program, akin to one of our larger Children’s programs in Celebration Hall where they did a rocket launch, balance boards to learn about gravity, experimented with particular space apps, had a 3D printer making a tool, and had the local robotics club out as well.

Mission: Mars

They were able to invite Pasquel Lee, the astronaut set to go on the first manned mission to Mars at the library to give a talk and there was a gravity workshop, a curiosity corner that emphasized informal learning and “create your own Martian” out of recyclables that was based on the conditions of Mars where kids had to rationalized their decisions.

The future of the manned mission to Mars

This program was a conversation between Any Weir, the author of the Martian and Pasquel Lee and they spoke about their expectations of the first manned mission to Mars.

Overall it was a progression from small programs like STEAM themed storytimes, to the bigger programs.

What’s Next?

A year of STEAM programs

Scientist series

More grants

Conversation with the space station at the library!

Overall, it was an interesting program with a lot of good ideas and inspiration. Rocket launches in the Courtyard??? We already had aliens invade a teen program, so who knows what the future holds...