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G2S Project Code: 2022-MA-91316
State: Massachusetts
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Project Director
Director Name: Shelley Quezada
Director Phone: 617-725-1860 ext. 235
Director Email: shelley.quezada@mass.gov
General Information
Title: STEM and STEAM
State Project Code: 17.SP.18
Start Date: 10/01/2022
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: This project supported a range of work related to STEM and STEAM. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) provided training opportunities for library staff, offered advisory services, and supported grant opportunities at individual libraries.
State Goal: Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$20,931.02
$0.00
$0.00
$20,931.02
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Curriculum support
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Solar Eclipse Activities in Libraries (SEAL) Workshop
Narrative: Staff from the StarNet Foundation provided the Solar Eclipse Activities in Libraries (SEAL) workshop to public library staff. The workshop introduced information on the two major Solar eclipses taking place in October 2023 and April 2024. Attendees received hands-on training on operating solar telescopes and other methods for direct and indirect solar viewing, best practices for developing and facilitating STEM programs, and how to engage with community partners and library-specific digital resource networks.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 360
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 33
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 31
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: 35
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: 35
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: 35
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 35
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
MBLC staff served on an advisory board to Cornerstones of Science. Staff worked to connect the Athol Public Library as one of the Cornerstones pilot sites. Support from Cornerstones of Science allowed the library to provide science based programming for adults and as a result the library qualified for a Smithsonian exhibition that was installed for three months in the library. The focus of the installation was on developing technology in America over the past hundred years.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Encouraging libraries, especially smaller ones to participate in a national pilot project empowered staff and expanded STEM and technology programs within the community. Offering in-depth training like the SEAL workshop prepared public libraries to facilitate meaningful solar and space science programs for their communities that built curiosity, knowledge, and inspiration.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
N/A
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:
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: STEM, STEAM