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G2S Project Code: 2020-KY-86531
State: Kentucky
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Kentucky Science Center

Project Director
Director Name: Mira Gentry-Johnson
Director Phone: 502-560-7126
Director Email: Mira.Gentry-Johnson@louisvilleky.gov
General Information
Title: Do Science at Home: STEAM Kits
State Project Code: FY21043C
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: Kentucky Science Center launched “Do Science at Home”, a family facilitated Science Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) kit, with guided and virtual instructions for families with students in grades 3 through 6. “Do Science at Home” focused on activities that connect to science in society, timely research, and professional pathways in STEAM fields; helping to expose Kentucky students to future career opportunities and pipelines while supporting formal educational curriculum with informal, hands-on activities.
State Goal: Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$150,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$150,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: STEAM Kit Creation
Narrative: The STEAM kits featured a Main Base Kit of durable supplies like microscopes, compasses, measuring tapes and other tools to be used and reused for project-based learning and exploration. Then there were four supplemental kits of special curated activities.  With tools and materials in hand, children learned to use the equipment to complete the guided programming and explore their own curiosities.
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: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 12,023
Number of plans/frameworks: 0


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: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: 6-12 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: Yes
Name: BOYD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1740 CENTRAL AVENUE
City: ASHLAND
State: KY
Zip: 41101
Name: BRACKEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 310 WEST MIAMI STREET
City: BROOKSVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 41004
Name: BREATHITT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1024 COLLEGE AVENUE
City: JACKSON
State: KY
Zip: 41339
Name: BUTLER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 116 WEST OHIO STREET
City: MORGANTOWN
State: KY
Zip: 42261
Name: CLINTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 302 KING DRIVE
City: ALBANY
State: KY
Zip: 42602
Name: CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 114 HILL STREET
City: BURKESVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 42717
Name: DAVIESS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 2020 FREDERICA STREET
City: OWENSBORO
State: KY
Zip: 42301
Name: FLOYD COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 161 NORTH ARNOLD AVENUE
City: PRESTONSBURG
State: KY
Zip: 41653
Name: GEORGE COON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 114 SOUTH HARRISON STREET
City: PRINCETON
State: KY
Zip: 42445
Name: HARDIN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 100 JIM OWEN DRIVE
City: ELIZABETHTOWN
State: KY
Zip: 42701
Name: HOPKINSVILLE-CHRISTIAN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1101 BETHEL STREET
City: HOPKINSVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 42240
Name: JOHNSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 444 MAIN STREET
City: PAINTSVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 41240
Name: KENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2171 CHAMBER CENTER DRIVE
City: FT. MITCHELL
State: KY
Zip: 41017
Name: MCLEAN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 116 EAST SECOND STREET
City: LIVERMORE
State: KY
Zip: 42352
Name: MEADE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 400 LIBRARY PLACE
City: BRANDENBURG
State: KY
Zip: 40108
Name: MERCER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 109 WEST LEXINGTON STREET
City: HARRODSBURG
State: KY
Zip: 40330
Name: METCALFE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 200 SOUTH MAIN STREET
City: EDMONTON
State: KY
Zip: 42129
Name: MUHLENBERG COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Address: 117 SOUTH MAIN STREET
City: GREENVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 42345
Name: OLDHAM COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 308 YAGER AVENUE
City: LAGRANGE
State: KY
Zip: 40031
Name: PERRY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 289 BLACK GOLD BOULEVARD
City: HAZARD
State: KY
Zip: 41701
Name: SCOTT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 104 SOUTH BRADFORD LANE
City: GEORGETOWN
State: KY
Zip: 40324
Name: TRIMBLE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 112 HIGHWAY 42 EAST
City: BEDFORD
State: KY
Zip: 40006
Name: WILLIAM B. HARLAN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 500 WEST FOURTH STREET
City: TOMPKINSVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 42167
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The goals of these STEAM kits were to increase accessibility of STEAM resources for public libraries to distribute to their families and to provide activities that connect young students to pathways in STEAM fields (future career opportunities as well as supporting formal educational curriculum with hands on activities). Two evaluation surveys were developed in order to measure these outcomes: feedback survey for each kit; a staff survey for the public libraries. One of the biggest struggles was getting families to complete the survey. The surveys were distributed to families receiving the kit via a website link or QR code. Several of the libraries attempted to increase awareness of the survey by adding additional links and QR code stickers, social media prompts, paper versions at kit pick up and more direct reminders to their families. The second survey for library staff was designed to be received at the end of the kit series. Several of the public libraries have shared their feedback as being mainly positive with regard to the quality of the kits, the types of activities included and their family's response to each kit theme. There were some recommendations for improvements with how some of the kit materials were packaged that can easily be modified in future iterations. The participating public libraries were asked to rate their experience with the kits. Of those libraries who completed the survey, 100% gave the kits positive responses in several categories including kit distribution to libraries, kit themes, and distribution to patrons. More importantly, 81% of libraries reported seeing new families because of these kits and 63% reported families utilizing other public library services when picking up the kits. This program was successful in this initial implementation due to the number of families impacted and providing additional access to hands on STEAM experiences. The participating libraries distributed kits to 4,960 families. Overall the feedback from the library staff and patrons who utilized the kits was very positive. The families enjoyed the kits and the ability to do the activities with their child. In addition, 54% of participating families reported utilizing other programs and resources at the public library related to the kit themes.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
As with any new program, there were a few things we would improve for a future iteration of this kit­based model. One of the challenges of this kit concept is condensing all of the resources for families into limited text space in our kit guides. We would recommend adding video links to each of the kit guides to provide visual instruction and resources for these hands-on activities to enhance the learning experience, assist with facilitation of the STEAM content and provide support for families implementing. The libraries also shared great insight into adjustments with provided supplies or packing of provide supplies for ease of distribution and integral use. We would also plan to switch some supplies better suited for kit fulfilment to alleviate staff prep time.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:

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:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
Yes
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, Grab and Go Kits, Cooperative