The Fayetteville Free Library's mission focuses on providing accessible STEM literacy by offering informal learning opportunities and hands-on activities through various programs, including a makerspace, creation lab, and family engagement initiatives. The library supports STEM education across all age groups, with resources like digital devices and specialized collections aimed at enhancing learning experiences. They encourage community involvement and advocate for libraries to reimagine their resources to better support STEM literacy.

1. +
If Not for the Library:
STEM Literacy & Beyond
Families Learning Summit 2015, Houston, TX
Meredith Levine
Director of Family Engagement
Email: mlevine@fflib.org
Twitter: @schmoopie517
Stephanie C. Prato
Director of Play to Learn Services
Email: sprato@fflib.org
Twitter: @scprato

2. + It is the mission of the Fayetteville Free Library
to provide free and open access to ideas and
information.

3. +
Why STEM Literacy?
Science, Technology, Engineering, (Art), Math

4. +
Supporting STEM Learning
 STEM Literacy as a process,
not a content area
 Opportunity to provide fun
informal learning opportunities
around STEM subjects
 We use a modified version of
this model in all of our maker
and STEM programs and we
support this type of inquiry
through our spaces, collections
and services
The Engineering Design Process
Image courtesy of Museum of Science-Boston.
Retrieved from http://www.eie.org/overview/engineering-design-process

5. +
STEM Literacy
 Process many kinds of
information simultaneously
 Organize new information into
existing knowledge
 Collaborate with peers and
adults
 Continuously engage in new
learning by revisiting it at
increasingly higher levels of
complexity over time
 Communicate effectively about
science and technology.
 Be responsive to accelerating
change driven by new
technologies
 Work together to find measured
yet creative solutions to
problems which are today
unimaginable
We Help Learners To: Thus they are able to:
Excerpted from: Lederman, L. (September, 1998). ARISE: American Rennisance in
Science Education. Fermilab-TM-2051. Batavia, IL: Fermi National Accelerator Lab.

6. +
Space
Supporting Literacy

7. +
Family Room
 Early Literacy Development
 Play
 Community Building
 Open and Accessible Space

8. +
Little Makers
 Little Makers Area
 Little Makers Programs
 Circuits (Electricity, Science)
 Marble Runs (Engineering)
 Wooden Cars (Physics,
Woodworking)
 Microscope Slides (Biology)
 Make Snow (Chemistry,
Meteorology)

9. +
Creation Lab
 Digital Creation
 Green Screen
 Photography/Video
 Podcasting
 Adobe Creative Suite
 iLife Creative Suite
 Music Recording

10. +
Fab Lab
 First makerspace in a public
library in the United States
 3D printers, laser cutter, vinyl
cutter, sewing machine, CNC
router and more
 Encourages physical making
 Community Engagement

11. +
Collections
Supporting Literacy

12. +
Print Collection
 Dewey Hybrid Model
 Easy discovery
 Expanding nonfiction to
support STEM literacy
 Fab Lab reference collection

13. +
Circulating Devices
 iPads
 Kindles
 Nooks
 Family Engagement iPads
 Early Literacy iPads

14. +
Kits
 Born to Read
 Ready to Read
 I AM
 STEM
 Let’s Learn

15. +
Services
Supporting Literacy

16. +
Services:
 Fab Lab equipment
certifications
 One-on-one assistance
 Solidworks
 Illustrator
 Lynda, Webucator
 Purchase on demand
 Custom book and app
recommendations

17. +
Programs
Supporting Literacy

18. + Science Storytimes
 Scientific concepts
 Non-fiction books
 Demos
 Hands-on experiments!

19. +
Tinker Tots
 Scientific concepts
 Non-fiction books
 Experiments & projects
 Topics have included:
 Sink vs. Float
 Catapults
 Slime
 Wind/Air Movement
 Stuffed Animal Take-apart

20. +
Creation Club Jr.
 Afterschool club
 Learning to use digital media
creation and editing tools
 Using the FFL Fab Lab to bring
ideas to life
 Learning STEM skills through
hands on activities
 3D Printing and CAD Design
 Movie making and editing
 Marshmallow Engineering
 Hovercraft Building
 Computer Programming

21. +
Extreme Weather
 Local TV meteorologist talked
about meteorology and
television broadcasting
 Used green screen wall to
make kids into Weathercasters

22. +
LEGO Robotics
 First LEGO League
 Mission:LEGO
 Lego Brainstorm

23. +
Coding Club
 Grades 3-6
 Intro to different programming
languages
 Basics of Coding

24. +
Minecraft Programs
 MinecraftEdu
 Develop skills in depth
perception, creativity,
organization, critical thinking,
and problem solving.
 Minecraft Games
 Modding Minecraft
 Add new skills like computer
literacy, strategic planning,
math, geometry, and even
geology and chemistry.

25. +
Teen Series: Circuits & Robots
 3 part introductory series
 Make an origami balloon light
 Draw a real circuit using
conductive ink
 Make a doodle-bot

26. +
Teen Series: Astronomy Program
 5 part series introduction to
astronomy
 Activities include:
 Stargazing through the library
telescope
 Making 3D models of
constellations
 Using clay to demonstrate
scale of objects in our solar
system
 And more!

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Adult STEM Programming
 Home Repair Series
 Basic Plumbing
 Basic Home Wiring
 Basic Dry Wall
 Basic Outdoor/Garden
Maintenance
 Electronics Club
 Robotics Club

28. +
Geek Girl Camp: Philosophy
 Week long day camp for girls in
grades 3-5
 Women in STEM inspiring
young minds
 Role Models
 Science is fun and for everyone
 Build confidence
 Events throughout the year

29. +
Geek Girl Camp: Activities
 Bristlebots
 Computer Programming
 Marble Run
 Trebuchet/Catapult Challenge
 Oobleck Pool
 3D Printing
 Drone Simulation
 Rocket Launch

30. +
More Programs
 Make Your Own Book
 NOVA Making Stuff
 Young Scientists
 MOST Museum (OCPL)
 Zoo to You (OCPL)
 Summer Reading Program
 Entrepreneur Camp
 Jr. First Lego
 First Tech Challenge
 Music synthesizing
Past Future

31. +
We ask of you….
Reimagine your spaces, collections, services and programs to
support STEM literacy.

32. +
Questions?
Sue Considine
FFL Executive Director
sconsidine@fflib.org
Fayetteville Free Library
Website: www.fflib.org
Twitter: @fayettevillelib