Saint Paul Public Library is the only organization in Minnesota among 40 recipients nationally of grants funding maker activities, STEM education for students.
Cognizant, a leader in global business & technology services, recently announced it is awarding 40 grants to expand afterschool, in-school, and summer programs across more than 60 sites in 25 states through its Making the Future education initiative. Minnesota received a single grant—to the Saint Paul Public Library—which will support summer Maker Camps at five library locations. Designed to promote creativity and inspire interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) among young learners, the Making the Future initiative supports fun, hands-on “making” programs for students from grade school through high school.
Last year, the Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) and the University of Saint Thomas (UST) collaborated to provide Science, Technology, and Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) Camps for teens at the Createch Studio at Arlington Hills Community Center on Saint Paul’s East Side, and Maker Camps at Sun Ray and Highland Park Libraries. They will expand the Maker Camps this summer using Cognizant funding to create additional learning curricula and offer programming at five library locations. The Making the Future grant was awarded as a result of funding proposals prepared and submitted on behalf of SPPL by The Friends.
College students at UST’s Center for Engineering Education will develop curriculum for each of the drop-in camps. At least eight additional maker activities will be developed. In 2015, Maker Camp activities included Cameo Silhouette/vinyl sticker creations, circuit boards, LED greeting cards, 3D pens, and more. Photos from those programs are available on Flickr. Library staff anticipate some of last year’s activities will be replicated, while new opportunities are also developed.
At each location, a library staffer currently working less than full time in the youth services area will have their hours increased (thanks to grant funding) to oversee the maker camps. These staff members will be responsible for recruiting participants, liaising with UST staff and students, leading camp sessions, coordinating volunteers, collaborating to ensure equal distribution of materials, and presenting a participant showcase.
“Our hope is that the drop-in Maker Camps will introduce youth in low-resource neighborhoods to the enjoyment of tinkering and making through play,” said SPPL Youth Services Coordinator Marika Staloch, adding, “We’ll encourage older students to attend the more demanding STEPS camp where they’ll be introduced to the field of engineering and visit the college campus.”
Each camp offers four-to-six different maker activities, so families can attend for ten minutes or the full three hours, depending on the time they’re able to invest. “Based on the success of the 2015 maker camps, we plan to keep the drop-in camps for ages 8-12,” promised Staloch. “We learned to have interactive activities, like Legos, for younger siblings—away from the camp activities.” The library also plans to engage volunteers to assist with more time-intensive activities, keeping programs moving smoothly.
2016 Maker Camp Locations:
Arlington Hills Library, 1200 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, 55130
Highland Park Library, 1974 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, 55116
Rice Street Library, 1011 Rice Street, Saint Paul, 55117
Rondo Library, 461 North Dale Street, Saint Paul, 55103
Sun Ray Library, 2105 Wilson Avenue, Saint Paul, 55119
The 2016 Maker Camps will be led by library staff who will provide templates and examples of the activities, guide students and engage parents. Activities for younger siblings assure that it will be a family-friendly environment.
Cognizant’s Making the Future initiative, part of the company’s overall effort to promote skills that help ensure a competitive American workforce, was launched in 2011. Through annual grants and other programs, Making the Future has introduced more than 260,000 children nationwide to over 1.9 million hours of making activities focused on STEM disciplines.
“Numerous studies show that in addition to developing their creativity, confidence and motivation, making is an excellent way for children to gain exposure to the STEM disciplines and gain experience with the types of workforce skills required to succeed in our evolving digital economy,” said Steven Schwartz, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Cognizant. “The talent shortage in the STEM fields is real. Through Making the Future, Cognizant is giving young learners an avenue for developing interest and passion for STEM subjects across socioeconomic barriers and stereotypical gender divides. Cognizant is committed to developing and supporting education initiatives that promote skills for the 21st century knowledge economy, helping American workers thrive today and in the future, and preparing our youth to capitalize on STEM career opportunities going forward.”
About Saint Paul Public Library:
Saint Paul Public Library connects people in Saint Paul with the imperative and the joy of learning through a lifetime. Saint Paul residents can enjoy free access to technology, books, movies, music, classes, and more. We’re located in 12 neighborhood libraries, George Latimer Central Library, and the Bookmobile. Visit us in your neighborhood or online at sppl.org. Cognizant’s “Making the Future” Initiative Awards STEM Grant to Saint Paul Public Library for Summer Maker Camps