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G2S Project Code: 2017-MN-79970
State: Minnesota
Fiscal Year: 2017

Grantee
REDWOOD FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Teri Smith
Director Phone: 507-616-7420
Director Email: tsmith@ci.redwood-falls.mn.us

General Information
Title: Improving School Readiness in Toddlers and Preschoolers by Connecting Early STEM/STEAM with Nature
State Project Code:
Start Date: 11/12/2017
End Date: 09/30/2018
Abstract:

Forty-eight one hour Nature Storytimes were held with an average of thirty-two participants. There were times when the number swelled to seventy-one participants. Each week focused on one aspect of the STEAM acronym, plus nature. Week six combined all themes with nature. Word of mouth and targeted marketing were successful. Once participants found how engaging, joyful, and educational theactivities were, they came time and time again.

State Goal: Increase access to library resources

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$9,282.40

$0.00

$799.00

$10,081.40

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Early Literacy
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Nature Club Storytimes
Narrative:

A Children’s Librarian and Library Assistants planned and implemented most of the Storytime/Nature Club programs. The curriculum included a welcome song, parent/caregiver information, stories and fingerplays, and STEAM/nature activities. They coached and modeled by asking questions, making suggestions, and visiting with children and families about what they were seeing and doing. Nature was implemented in every session in as many ways as possible. Held both outdoors and indoors, the events helped build school readiness skills in children 0 – 5 years. The library’s outdoor area was expanded to include musical pieces, Early Learning Backpacks were created for check out, and other educational resources were obtained.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 48
Average number in attendance per session: 32
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
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: Yes
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
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: 2
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: 8
Agree: 6
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: 10
Agree: 4
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: 12
Agree: 2
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: 12
Agree: 2
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: Early Learning Backpacks
Narrative:

Sprout EarlyLearning Backpacks were a resource for parents, caregivers, and teachers to use with children. Each themed backpack contained picture books,games and activities, and an activity guide to guide the play and learning that happen as the adult engages the child.

These backpacks were checked out each week following Storytime. The backpacks extended the learning from Storytime STEAM and nature activities. The backpacks also encouraged the participants to visit the library. They have been checked out forty-seven times.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 31
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 31
Number of plans/frameworks: 0

Partner Information

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: Yes
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:
The library created a survey that asked questions about each Early Childhood domain. At the end of the grant period, all participants indicated that their child enjoyed coming to storytime, knew other families at storytime, their child had perseverance, they spent time outdoors, and they limited electronics use. Each participant rated the child as emerging or proficient in managing emotions, reacting to others meaningfully, moving physically appropriately for his/her age, being physically active, being a good problem solver, being confident, understanding turn taking, understanding sequencing, taking an interest in the arts, understanding basic meanings, and communicating with others. The survey also showed the participants rated the child emerging or proficient in: understanding stories and songs; curiosity, exploration, experimentation, and questioning during play; showing interest in counting or number play; and figuring out how many. Although the children may have been at different levels of these skills, caregivers felt that the children were at an appropriate skill level for their age. Children and families will create deeper and more powerful relationships with one another: Children and families have come to storytime and stayed in the storytime area or children’s area for two hours each week.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Giving parents and children ideas to increase the child’s curiosity, problem solving, and persistence, helps the child in his/her future. Parents learned ways to encourage, ask open-ended questions, and found unique ways for the child to learn.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The biggest lesson learned from this project is to not be afraid to try new, possibly messy, activities in the library. Also, children can do much more than they are given credit for. The adults in charge needed to be very organized and intentional, while creating an atmosphere of flexibility and excitement. Children are always learning so they should have quality activities and projects ready for them to explore. Another thing learned is that the adults enjoy the hands on activities just as much as the children and they learned many ways to help their child(ren). Parents were pleased to fill out surveys as it gave them some feedback as to where the child(ren) were at in terms of their learning. Parents also saw how the skills learned at the Nature Storytime are going to help the child in school, at home, and in the future.
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:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
The library anticipates more parental or caregiver involvement in the STEM/STEAM and nature activities as participants feel more comfortable jumping in to help guide the children in the activities planned by the Children’s Librarian.
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: STEAM, early literacy, nature