TAG: STEM
Fresh for November: New Games, Crafts & Adventures for Kids & Teens
Posted in News on October 21, 2025 at 6:00 am
November is a great month to explore your imagination and creativity, to learn about the world, and to play games and discover new things. Check out these activities and programs from the library for early learners, kids and their families, and teens. […]
Tags: activities, early learners, family, games, kids, parents, STEAM, STEM, teens, tweens
15 Minutes of Community Science Can Make a World of Difference
Posted in Explore and Discover, News on February 2, 2023 at 7:00 am
When you hear someone say that that something is “for the birds,” they mean it is foolish and not to be taken too seriously. This month, the Great Backyard Bird Count on February 17–20 invites everyone to do something for the birds that isn’t foolish, is in fact helpful, and could be quite fascinating... […]
Tags: adults, bird counting, bird watching, citizen science, community, community science, kids, Mason bees, parents, science, STEAM, STEM, teens
Space Exploration You Can Do, Inspired by Amazing Images from the Webb Telescope
Posted in Explore and Discover on August 17, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Caitlin Wheeler On July 12, 2022, NASA released its first images from the James Webb Space Telescope, and they are both breathtaking and groundbreaking in their ability to detect infrared light at a high resolution. The telescope operates with two cameras: NIRCam (near infrared camera), which looks at the shortest infrared wavelengths, and MIRI […]
Tags: adults, books, crafts, digital library, DIY, kids, Library of Things, NASA, parents, reading, science, space, STEM, teachers, technology, teens, telescope, tweens, Webb Telescope
Time for STEAM: Exploring the Great Outdoors & Trying New Activities for All Ages
Posted in Explore and Discover on March 9, 2022 at 6:00 am
By Alison Johnson Spring is just a few weeks away! I am looking forward to getting outside and enjoying some sunshine. If, for you, spring is all about sunshine and projects, the library has some great STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) resources and programs to get the whole family learning and creating both […]
Tags: activities, adults, books, kids, kits, kits activities, Library of Things, outdoors, parents, STEAM, STEM, teens, tweens
Pleasant Day Hikes & Easy Walking Adventures in South Spokane County
Posted in Explore and Discover on May 12, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY CAITLIN WHEELER In 2018, I started working at the Otis Orchards Library just as I was also desperately trying to fit exercise into a routine laden with reading books, making art, and crafting. My drive to Otis Orchards took me over the Harvard Road Bridge, where a Centennial Trailhead happened to sit just three […]
Tags: adults, adventure, birds, books, conservation, county hikes, dogs, explorer, Families, flowers, hiking, kids, microadventure, microadventures, nature, outdoor, outdoors, picnic, reading, STEM, trees, walking
New STEM Explorer Kits offer hands-on activities for students in grades K–5
Posted in News on February 22, 2021 at 6:00 am
BY GWENDOLYN HALEY You may have already checked out the Ready for School with STEM kits for younger children (ages 3–5) from the library. Or perhaps you’ve borrowed our Snap Circuits set for elementary school students. We have heard positive reviews from library customers for both of these kits. In response, we are pleased to […]
Tags: activities, books, elementary, engineering, kids, math, parents, science, STEM, students, technology
A peek into EnviroKids’ Club: Q&A with two partner agencies
Posted in Explore and Discover on August 19, 2020 at 6:00 am
By Erin Dodge Next week, we’re hosting three EnviroKids’ Club programs (sign up before they fill up!), each showing kids and their families different ways that they can champion the environment and take action to make changes at home and in their neighborhoods. In case you missed the announcement, here are those three programs: EnviroKids’ […]
Tags: #envirokids, clean air, compost, engineering, envirokids club, environment, kids, parents, science, solid waste, STEM, teachers, water, worms
Day in the life of a librarian
Posted in Explore and Discover on May 16, 2019 at 6:00 am
By Dana Mannino When kids tour the library, I like to ask them what they think a librarian does. Usually I get answers like “You tell us not to run.” I think to myself, “If I wanted to do that, I would have become a life guard!” I don’t think kids are the only ones […]
Tags: #dayinthelife, #ProjectMemory, adults, appointment, book a librarian, book club, day in the life, encyclopedia, finances, kids, LEGO, librarian, library, library card, overdrive, parents, preschool, Prime Time, Project Memory, reading, referenceusa, STEM, stories, story time, storytime, teens, World Book
Preschoolers get ready for school with STEM kits from the library
Posted in News, Parents and Teachers on June 20, 2018 at 6:00 am
By Mary Ellen Braks Keep your preschoolers busy this summer with hands-on activities that encourage playful learning while exploring STEM concepts and reading. Preschoolers will find lots to discover with their parents and caregivers, using our new Ready for School with STEM kits. Spokane County Library District in partnership with the Inland North […]
Tags: animals, blocks, boxes, bugs, counting, designing, dinosaurs, dirt, education, family, gears, kids, learn, LEGO bricks, magnets, magnifying glasses, measuring cups, nature, numbers, parenting, parents, patterns, planning, play, preschooler, problem solving, pulleys, ready for kindergarten, Ready for School, rulers, scales, science, shapes, sorting, STEM, STEM kits, teachers, water, weather, weights, wheels, young learners
Talking about preschool STEM
Posted in Parents and Teachers on November 1, 2016 at 6:00 am
By Gwendolyn Haley STEM is a hot topic right now. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields are the fastest growing sector of the economy, and businesses in Washington state are among the leading employers in these fields. As a parent, I want to make sure that my daughters are aware of all the opportunities […]
Tags: early learning, engineering, kids, Kindergarten, math, parents, Pre-K, preschool, science, STEM, STEM kits, technology, young learners
