QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott reading a STEM-focused book to kindergarteners
Queens Public Library Brings Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Resources to Queens Kindergarteners as Part of Its First-Ever Bookmobile STEM Tour
QPL’s Mobile Library Will Make Weekly Stops at Queens Elementary Schools for the Remainder of the School Year
Queens, NY_ Queens Public Library has launched its first-ever Bookmobile STEM Tour, stopping at schools in communities with the greatest need to provide free STEM resources and instructions to kindergarteners to help them learn STEM concepts, foster their natural curiosity and develop their scientific skills.
The Bookmobile Tour first hit the road in March, and it will continue making stops across Queens until the end of June.
On April 6, which is National Library Outreach Day, the QPL Mobile Library team, accompanied by the QPL Book Bike team, will stop at three elementary schools in South Jamaica, Queens -- P.S. 40, P.S. 48, and P.S. 160 -- offering STEM-oriented storytimes, STEM presentations and interactive science games to kindergarteners.
The Queens Public Library’s South Jamaica and Baisley Park branches have been working with elementary schools in the area since 2014 as part of the South Jamaica Reads partnership, which seeks to ensure that children enter school prepared to learn and stay on track for academic success.
During the Bookmobile Tour, science educators from Vinny Voltage Science Show will provide hands-on STEM activities, covering topics such as ecosystems, plants, animals, weather, seasons, energy, heat, space, engineering, robotics, and more.
At each stop on April 6, QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott will welcome students aboard the bus and read STEM-focused books to them.
“As New York strives to emerge from the pandemic as a more equitable city, Queens Public Library is doing its part to reach out to our communities and help children develop STEM skills early on in their education,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “By encouraging STEM learning among young children, we hope to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.”
The Bookmobile and Book Bike will offer carefully curated collections of STEM-focused books and resources for young children. Each student visiting the Bookmobile will receive a STEM to-go kit, consisting of books, science journals, pencils, tech toys and tools for exploration, such as magnifying glasses. In addition, students will be able to sign up for library cards as well as check out and return books. They will also get a chance to get familiar with library programs and services.
The STEM to-go kits and resources for the tour have been provided through City’s First Readers, the New York City Council’s early literacy initiative.
CONTACT: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org