We Need Your Help!
As many of you may know, in the Spring of 2016 we launched our current website, and after nearly 4 years of adding a wide variety of programming resources including STEM activities, webinars, campaign events, blogs, educational materials, etc., we are experiencing some growing pains. During 2020, our plan is to overhaul our website to bring our community a more useful, organized and efficient online experience. To accomplish this, we wanted to reach out to our members who use it most and get their valued opinions by launching an online survey to capture some important information on how you currently interact with our website. Note: There is a special giveaway opportunity for those completing our full survey. Click in to find out more!
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Engineers Week: Be a Pioneer of Progress
Celebrate Engineers Week from Feb. 16-22, 2020 with some great resources from STAR Net.
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| Engage Your Patrons by Joining STAR Net's Our Planet: Earth Campaign!
With nearly 600 participants, STAR Net's Our Planet: EARTH campaign has grown a lot in the last two months, but we want to do better, much better! Has your library registered yet? If so, take a moment to download our flyer and consider sending it to your own personal network of library professionals. if not, register now!
You Can Make a Difference!
Special Telecon Event for STAR Net Members
NASA Earth Science 101 and Earth Day 50th Anniversary
Thursday, February 6, 2020 | 12:00pm PT (3:00pm ET)
Prepare for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd, 2020. Come hear from NASA experts, get resources, and ask your questions about general talking points around NASA Earth Science. Also, hear details about how you and your audiences can participate in the latest NASA Earth Day 2020 campaign.
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NASA's Astrophoto Challenges
Process images from NASA's telescopes, or capture and process your own! Click here to learn more.
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| Celebrate Women's History Month in March!
Every year, libraries have the opportunity to host Women’s History Month events related to NASA’s scientific explorations of the universe. Using a suite of resources from NASA’s Universe of Learning, you can host your own Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA event to celebrate and highlight the contributions of women to astronomy.
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Our Planet: EARTH
Date: Thursday, Februrary 20, 2020
Time: 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / 12pm PT
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Beg, Borrow, and Steal... Multi-generational STEAM Programming Ideas for Our Planet: EARTH
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020
Time: 4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT
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For those that are unable to attend our live webinars, we will have a recording posted on our website within a day or two after the live presentation. And remember, all webinars are now streamed LIVE on our YouTube channel for times when are webinars are full.
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| Mars 2020 Rover Closer to Getting Its Name
NASA's Mars 2020 rover is one step closer to having its own name after 155 students across the U.S. were chosen as semifinalists in the "Name the Rover" essay contest. Just one will be selected to win the grand prize — the exciting honor of naming the rover and an invitation to see the spacecraft launch in July 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
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| Connected Science Learning
This month, CSL (Volume 2, Issue 1, Part 1) begins a focus on Effective Collaborations. Learn how two different partnership models—one in the preschool classroom and one at a local museum—help young children bridge STEM learning experiences both in the preschool classroom and at a local museum. Engage students in engineering modules that support learning from school to museum to afterschool program. Finally, read about Emergency Response Teen Science Cafés, which engage high schoolers in thinking about careers in disaster preparedness.
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| NASA Video: February Skywatching Tips
Looking for astronomy highlights for February 2020? This month is the best time of the year to try to view Mercury, soon after sunset; Mars disappears behind the Moon on Feb. 18; and the bright red star on Orion’s shoulder, Betelgeuse, has been acting weird. (Or has it?)
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| Hands-on STEM: Drawing Nature
This hands-on STEAM activity allows patrons to practice their artistic skills and communicate their observations of a plant, insect, or animal. It is cheap, easy, quick, and open-ended – a great match for an Earth-focused program at your library. Tools such as magnifying glasses, cameras, tweezers, or scissors can be used to help patrons investigate the small structures of plants.
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The STAR Library Network (STAR Net) is a hands-on learning network for libraries and their communities across the country. STAR Net focuses on helping library professionals build their STEM skills by providing “science-technology activities and resources” (STAR) and training to use those resources. Plus, engage public audiences nationwide in informal and lifelong learning with the excitement of exploration and discovery through STAR Net's NASA@ My Library program!
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STAR Net is built upon a strong network of collaborators and partners, led by the Space Science Institute’s (SSI) National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL). Partners include the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office, Collaborative Summer Library Program, Chief officers of State Library Agencies, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Afterschool Alliance, Education Development Center, American Society of Civil Engineers, and Cornerstones of Science. Major funding is provided by the National Science Foundation, NASA Science Mission Directorate, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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Citizen Science Month: Resources for Libraries
By Caroline Nickerson, Dan Stanton and Vivienne Byrd
Science needs more eyes, ears and perspectives than any scientist possesses. Enter citizen science: a collaboration between scientists and those of us who are just curious or concerned and motivated to make a difference.
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Make Every Tree Count: Programs You Can Use
By Donna & Brittany Blomquist and Theresa Schwerin
Trees provide one of the most versatile themes for library programs. Whether your audience is families, adults, children or classrooms/youth groups, “Trees” can provide a foundation for affordable and useful programs for libraries of all sizes — uniting art and community with citizen science.
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Cosmic Fireworks: Make Your Own Festive Galaxy with NASA’s Astrophoto Challenges
By Quyen Hart
Join NASA’s Universe of Learning for an exciting opportunity to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own beautiful images of the iconic starburst galaxy M82.
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