Teenagers are a unique demographic. They are still young at heart but also dealing with adult problems and themes. What do they want to do for a career? Where do they want to go to school? What would be a fun topic of study?
Most importantly, how do they answer these questions without dropping lots of money to explore different areas (think summer camps, online courses, and workshops)? How do they go about learning something that they are interested in but that testing or classes in school have shown them to be bad at? When Pine River Library asked teens these questions it basically boiled down to this: Wouldn't it be awesome if there was a place they loved to go, where professional people would come and teach them new skills for free, that would include hands-on training, supplies, snacks, and a fun atmosphere?
Well, as it turns out, there is such a place.
Fresh for 2016, Pine River Library is proud to introduce our Prime Time STEAM initiative! STEAM (short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) opens up library programming to a new, hands-on level of interaction. Professionals in each of the STEAM disciplines will bring their expertise, experience, and passion for their careers to a new generation of learners. Monday through Friday the library will offer a program from 4 to 5 p.m. that will center around one of the STEAM disciplines. The participants in Prime Time will be able to learn about electricity, weather, music, robotics, finances, 3D engineering, and biomechanical technology, just to name a few.
Each month will end in a showcase of what the teens have learned that will be on display for the whole community to appreciate. From January through April, the teens will be able to experiment in some of the fastest growing professions in the job market.
"Within a culture that gears even the most basic activity towards technology (think: "there's an app for that"), libraries have become the link between students and research, between the financially burdened and expensive products, and between young adults and the benefits of a healthy, active, vibrant experiential environment," said Becky Van Den Berg, teen services coordinator at the Library. "The youth of Bayfield need a program where they can learn and have fun, and we hope to provide that to them through this STEAM initiative."
The kickoff event for the initiative will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Paula Watson from Wolfwood Refuge will be at the library with Trinity, a wolf hybrid, to talk about her work rescuing these animals after people learn they aren't good pets. The event will be open to all ages with a chance to pet a real live wolf!
The next day, Jan. 6, Dr. Karen Nollet from Bayfield Animal Hospital will perform a dog checkup, live in the Library.
The first weeks of the initiative will also include a series on budgeting with Edward Jones Financial Planner Jason Silva (Wednesday, Jan. 13, 20, and 27), two cooking classes with Chef Safari of Mahogany Grille (Friday, Jan. 8 and 22), a visit from a Pat Jackson of St. Francis Wildlife Rehabilitation and her falcon (Friday, Jan. 15), and a 3-D Printing workshop (Friday, Jan. 28).
The Pine River Library is excited to be able to launch a program like this. The initiative involves many collaborators, volunteers, and partners who are just as excited as the library to be a part of this new directive. As always, a program this large can use new and fresh ideas. If you are interested in presenting on your career for one of the hour-long session, please get in touch with the library.
For more information on the STEAM Initiative contact and the updated schedule, contact the library at 884-2222, ext. 510. or visit www.prlibrary.org/content/steam-event-calendar.
