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G2S Project Code: 2017-MN-79969
State: Minnesota
Fiscal Year: 2017
Grantee
MARTIN COUNTY LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Jenny Trushenski
Director Phone: 507-238-4207
Director Email: jtrushenski@tsd.lib.mn.us
General Information
Title: STEM Sprouts: Birth to 5 Hands-on Learning at the Library
State Project Code:
Start Date: 11/12/2017
End Date: 09/30/2018
Abstract:

STEM Sprouts enabled the acquisition of STEM-focused materials to enhance current programming and develop new programs for children ages birth to 5. The events reached new community members and many special programs achieved record attendance. Children who participated in STEM programming demonstrated a desire to learn and grow through experimentation


State Goal: Increase access to library resources
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$7,261.92
$0.00
$2,509.50
$9,771.42
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Early Literacy
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Toddler Tinker Labs
Narrative:

Toddler Tinker Labs were open-ended exploration times for children ages birth to 5. They encouraged creative play for children andtheir families. Many new materials were used during Toddler Tinker Labs, including a Toddler Ball Run, water table, Funnel Stand and wind tunnel.



Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 45
Number of times program administered: 4


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 12
Agree: 21
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 29
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 3
Agree: 30
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 13
Agree: 20
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 1
Agree: 32
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Busy Builders
Narrative:

Busy Builders invited children ages birth to 5 to visit the library for drop-in exploration. Big Blue Blocks, easels, Toddler Ball Run,and the wind tunnel were all available for the children to use. 



Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 80
Number of times program administered: 2


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Asian
Black
Hispanic
Pacific
Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 5
Agree: 20
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 10
Agree: 15
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 3
Agree: 22
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 25
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 21
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: STEM Saturdays
Narrative:

“Tinkerpalooza” was a Saturday event for families to explore STEM materials in the library.  Available for use were the Mobile Magnet Wall, wind tunnel, easels, and ToddlerBall Runs. The local school's Robotics team let kids drive their robot around the library.  It was the best attended event the library has ever hosted! 



Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 120
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 200
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6-12 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Asian
Black
Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 2
Agree: 8
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 5
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 1
Agree: 9
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 3
Agree: 7
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Family Storytime
Narrative:

Family Storytimes were held on Monday evenings throughout the year and included stories and activities. Storytimes were geared towards preschoolers and early elementary school kids and their families. STEM materials were used for activities during Family Storytimes. These included the Mobile Magnet Wall, the Sensory Funnel Station and the Toddler Ball Run.



Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 10
Average number in attendance per session: 25


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6-12 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Asian
Black
Hispanic
Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Attendance at the STEM programs exceeded the initial goal of 700. Many new library patrons attended events, which was another project goal. Additionally, the new STEM materials were always extremely popular and the children responded to them with great enthusiasm. Seeking out and exploring new objects: Each time a new object was introduced into a program, the children ran directly to that object and were fascinated with figuring out how to use it. When the Wind Tunnel was introduced, a crowd of children tried different items inside the tunnel to see what they could get to fly. Using strategies to carry out new ideas: Children loved to build with the Big Blue Blocks, but eventually their creations would tip over. Watching the children explore the blocks and engineer different ways of constructing to keep their creations from toppling was exciting. They continued to learn by completing the process over and over.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Library staff found that open-ended family programming is the most successful. By providing stations that let children explore at their own pace, people felt welcome to come and go freely. The library will continue to offer STEM programming in this style, as the response has been tremendous.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The major lesson learned is to not underestimate attendance! During Tinkerpalooza, there were more than 200 people at the library. Library staff have learned to be prepared with additional staff members and back-up activities to help with crowd control.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
Yes
Explain:
The library may expand the STEM offerings to older kids.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Early literacy, STEM, family program