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G2S Project Code: 2020-IL-85379
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2020

Grantee
RICHTON PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT

Project Director
Director Name: Ashley Baltazar
Director Phone: 708-481-5333 x211
Director Email: baltazara@richtonparklibrary.org

General Information
Title: Project Next Generation
State Project Code: 21-2030-PNG
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 06/30/2021
Abstract: Project Next Generation at the Richton Park Public Library District provides Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics (STEAM) based programs and materials for students ages 10 to 18. The library provided a Create and Learn Virtual Program and STEAM Team Take-Home Kits. These provided a total of 16 hours of program time and 124 Take Home Kits to 20 students. Students completed projects such as making a heart model, an LED card, 3D Doodled Shapes, and designing in TinkerCad. The Richton Park Public Library District serves a community of 12,775 and serves children in two elementary school districts, one high school district, and a charter high school. This project provided educational opportunities, supported information fluency and lifelong learning; aligned with the federal LSTA priority to expand services for learning and access to information and education resources; and improved learners’ general knowledge and skills.

State Goal: Goal 2: Lifelong Learning.

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$9,976.97

$0.00

$9,976.97

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

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Create + Learn
Narrative: Create + Learn was a project based program for students ages 13 and up that met February through May. Students could sign up to learn about Crafty Circuits and/or 3D Printing. Students were provided with a take-home kit with all the supplies & instructions needed to make 15 projects. There was an optional Friday Zoom session where they could ask questions, show & tell their current project, and hang out with the other students.

Students in Crafty Circuits learned about how Circuits worked through project based learning. They made projects using paper circuits & e-textiles (conductive thread & fabric). This included a light-up card, a cardboard doorbell, a constellation night light, and dark-sensing amulet.

Students in 3D Printing learned about 3D printing as an art using 3D pens and 3D printing as a science using TinkerCad & a 3D Printer. Some of the projects included using the 3D Pen to draw the components of a wallet and assembling it together, testing and designing a phone holder using TinkerCad, and designing a keychain using TinkerCad.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 16
Average number in attendance per session: 0
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: Suburban
For what age groups: 13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
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: Yes
Name: RICHTON PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 22310 LATONIA LANE
City: RICHTON PARK
State: IL
Zip: 60471
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
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: 0
Agree: 0
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: 0
Agree: 0
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: 0
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: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: STEAM Team
Narrative: STEAM Team Students were provided with a Grab & Go Kit that included everything needed to complete a STEAM Project (excluding basic supplies like scissors, glue, and writing utensils). This program was offered for 4 months (Feb - May). Kit Topics included: Build a Heart Model, Build a Bristle Bot, Build a Light Spectroscope, Exploring Growing Herbs, Design a Zip-Line Racer, and Design a Balloon Racer.

While all the projects were received well, students particularly enjoyed making the Heart Model. One of the students even showed their completed model off to their Science Teacher over Zoom.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: In-person

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 124
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 31

Partner Information

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
3 Teens expressed interest in the Create + Learn program, 1 actively registered. The 2 non-participants provided an email contact & the 1 active registrant provided a phone number. STEM Kits were all picked-up within 2 months of being released.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
While it's such a small sampling, I think being able to call and talk to the participant led them to sign-up and participate over the two who were just emailed. We also found that families that were active at the library before the pandemic were the ones who provided us feedback on our take-home kits.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
When you cannot meet in person, it's more important than ever to make sure you establish a connection and keep up the communication.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
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:
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: STEAM