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A LOT more photos below the article.
A LOT more photos below the article.
By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - On Thursday, January 9, 2020, the J. Joel Edwards Public Library held a sneak peek and thank you to those who have made the S.T.E.A.M. Room possible. On the pre-grand opening, Library Manager Rosemary Bunn and Library Board Chair Gillian Appleton said that they were excited to be on the cutting edge with this technology and gave their thanks to Interim County Manager Rob Morton, the Pike County Commission, County Employees who helped get the addition build so a room could be dedicated to this endeavor, Friends of the J. Joel Edwards Library, and the Pike County Board of Education.
Rosemary said that the S.T.E.A.M. Room is way to help children be well-rounded and prepare them for the 21st century. She said that the library is "a hub of the community" and this is an extension that is being offered to the entire county.
Rosemary told how she used to go to Chattanooga, Tennessee to use the die cuts there to prepare for our summer reading each year, and now the cut outs can be done here at home! There are circulating bags of themed educational kids from classical music music to the weather to patriotism and making your own hats and bracelets!
On Saturday, January 11th, the J. Joel Edwards Public Library hosted the grand opening for its new addition, the S.T.E.A.M Room. S.T.E.A.M. Education is a hands-on learning initiative that encourages growth through science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. This approach to learning uses contemporary advancements to foster critical thinking, problem solving, and curiosity in all ages. The purpose of this room is also to supply community members and library patrons with new and updated resources that will assist in day-to-day tasks.
From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on January 11th, the library invited community members of all ages to join in on a series of mini-workshops to introduce a variety of new instruments and resources that will be available to the public during set operational hours. The t-shirts worn by employees at the Open House event were printed at the library and the cool steam punk hats were made here too. Each employee decorated their hats in their very own style.
At this open house, participants learned the ins-and-outs of the library’s new 3D printer, heating press, button maker, coding Ozobots, and much more. The library also provided additional information regarding the S.T.E.A.M. Room’s hours, costs, and uses. Rosemary said that this is a learning process that they will tweak as they go along. As of January 13, 2020, the open hours of the S.T.E.A.M. Room are: Mondays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays 3 to 6 p.m.
If you have any questions about this new addition to our public library, please contact the J. Joel Edwards Public Library at (770) 567-2014.
The complete set of pictures is on my Facebook. If you would like a copy of any of the pictures without a watermark, please contact Pike County Times about sending a donation, and I'll get that picture emailed to you quickly. Thanks for supporting Pike County Times!
Using the die cut is easy!
Here is an example of a circulating bag.
Making items needed for crafting to go in circulating bags.
These will be in one of the circulating bags. These bags will provide a way to weave, make bracelets, etc.
A die cut was used to make a hat.
Each person decorated their own hat!
Their steampunk hats were so cool!
Here is a piano made from a yoga mat!
Getting a cool library tattoo!
Making a button.
Family time!
Family time!
Library personnel and volunteers!
Library personnel, volunteers, and supporters and members of the Library Board and Friends of the Library