How Your Library Can Participate in "Lights on Afterschool" on October 25th
Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. This year, afterschool-library partnerships are being celebrated as an official theme for Lights On Afterschool 2018! This is a great opportunity to showcase a afterschool or summer program that you run out of your library, highlight a partnership you already have, or begin a new partnership with an afterschool program for the first time for a Lights On Afterschool event, October 25th. Note: STAR Net is an event partner and we would like as many public libraries to register as possible. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite your whole community to help you celebrate your STEM achievements and partnerships between libraries and afterschool programs.
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| A Community Dialogue Framework for Public Libraries and Other Informal Institutions
Informal learning institutions often have goals of reaching underserved and underrepresented audiences, as well as soliciting user feedback about their venues and programs. Unfortunately, sometimes community members do not feel welcome in certain institutions or may not even know they exist. Working closely with public libraries across the country, the STAR Library Network (STAR Net) has developed a Community Dialogue Framework to assist public libraries in reaching new patrons, becoming an even more welcoming venue, and building new partnerships.
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Out-of-this-World Engineering
Date: Wednesday September 26, 2018
Time: 4pm EDT / 3pm CDT / 2pm MDT / 1pm PDT Space isn’t just for scientists – it’s also for engineers! Join STAR Net as we take a look at some of the newest activities on the STEM Activity Clearinghouse that feature engineering design challenges with a space science theme. As we create rockets and rovers, we’ll be following the engineering design process: think, build, test, and do it again. Come and learn how you can make your 2018 and 2019 STEM programs blast off!
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| What's Up in August
What's up in the night sky this month? The best meteor shower of the year! The Perseids peak on a moonless summer night –from 4 p.m. on the 12th until 4 a.m. on the 13th EDT. Thanks to a new moon, the days before and after the peak will also provide nice, dark skies. The best time to look for shooting stars is from a few hours after twilight until dawn on the days surrounding the peak. For more star parties and astronomy events near you, visit https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/
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| 2018 Boulder SummerFest
This last weekend (Saturday, July 28th), STAR Net and SSI staff participated in Boulder SummerFest at the Boulder Public Library. SummerFest is a day long festival celebrating the success of patrons participating in summer reading. We had solar viewing, button making and hands-on meteorite activities available at our booth. We estimate around 400 people stopped by to talk to the STAR Net staff and SSI scientists that were in attendance!
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| Hands-on STEM: Make a Star Finder
Looking to take advantage of the enjoyable late summer evenings? Try getting your patrons outside to do a night sky viewing! With Make a Star Finder, patrons construct an origami “fortune teller” that helps them pick out a constellation to find in the night sky. You can find step-by-step instructions for creating your Star Finder in the How-to Video!
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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 new NASA@ My Library and Project BUILD resources!
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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, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Afterschool Alliance, Education Development Center, Datum Advisors, Cornerstones of Science, and the Pacific Science Center. 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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Louisville Public Library Seeks New Director of Library and Museum Services
By STAR Net
The Louisville Public Library is looking for a new Director to carry on the amazing legacy of Beth Barrett
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Seeing Stars!
By Jennifer Beach
Indoor astronomy is a great way to light up the night! We recently did that, both figuratively and literally.
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Exploring Chemical Engineering
By Amy Holcomb
This summer our informal learning space, the BOOMbox, is exploring all things engineering. The rotation is 16 weeks long and we’re focusing on a different field of engineering every two weeks.
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Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL)
Sept. 13-15, 2018
More Info >>
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Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL)
Sept. 13-15, 2018
More Info >>
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Association of Science-Technology Centers (ATSC)
Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2018
More Info >>
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Programming
Opportunities
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International Observe the
Moon Night
October 20, 2018
More Info >>
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