[Libs-Or] Apply to host a space, earth science or technology exhibition at your public library

Tue Mar 3 07:47:47 PST 2015

*FYI, This sounds like an awesome opportunity and it would be great if a
public library in Oregon were to get one of these exhibitions.*

Suzanne

*Apply to host a space, earth science or technology exhibition at your
public library*

http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2015/02/apply-host-space-earth-science-or-technology-exhibition-your-public-library

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in
collaboration with the Space Science Institute’s *National Center for
Interactive Learning*, the Lunar and Planetary Institute and the
Afterschool Alliance, invites public libraries to apply to host one of
three science- and technology-focused traveling exhibitions.

The interactive exhibitions are designed to promote STEM (science,
technology, engineering and math) learning opportunities for all ages.

Each exhibition will travel to eight sites in 2016 and 2017. Roughly 800
square feet of space is required for optimal display. Applicants should
apply for *one* of the following exhibitions:

   - *Discover Space* will teach audiences how stars and planetary systems
   form and the role that gravity plays in our universe. Visitors will learn
   the similarities and differences between Earth and Mars and be introduced
   to the tools scientists use to explore planets. The exhibit will examine
   asteroids and comets, look at the sun as a dynamic star, and reveal
   electric and magnetic changes that occur in space. Exhibit components will
   include a 42-inch touch table on which visitors can play a variety of
   astronomy simulation games; a collection of meteorite specimens, including
   a touchable, 10-pound meteorite and a solar monitoring station. A Tinkering
   Station will include various hands-on activities such as designing and
   building robotic devices using Lego bricks.

   - *Discover Earth* focuses on local earth science topics — such as
   weather, water cycle and ecosystem changes — as well as a global view of
   our changing planet. Visitors will learn how the global environment changes
   — and is changed by — the local environment of all exhibition hosts’
   communities. Interactive, multimedia displays — such as an 18-inch-diameter
   Magic PlanetTM  globe and a 42-inch touch table — will allow visitors to
   interact with digital information in a dynamic way, encouraging new
   perspectives on our planet. The exhibit components will incorporate
   personal narratives, stunning graphics, video, animations, weather
   artifacts and animal specimens. A Tinkering Station will include various
   hands-on activities such as puzzles and art projects.

   - *Discover Tech* will help audiences understand the nature of
   21st-century technology and engineering — both high- and low-tech — and
   their potential for helping to solve many of the world’s problems. Through
   interactive displays, the exhibition will illustrate that engineers are
   real people who, through a creative and collaborative design process,
   arrive at practical solutions to help solve society’s problems. Visitors
   will learn about the fundamental principles of energy, become aware of
   their own energy use, and understand the impact of engineering on
   communities worldwide. For example, using a hand-crank generator, they can
   produce electrical energy that can be used to power various types of light
   bulbs and learn which one uses the least energy to operate. Nearby, the
   Solar Power station will demonstrate the basic functioning of solar energy
   by allowing visitors to experiment with a light source and a large solar
   panel. A Tinkering Station will include various hands-on building
   activities, including an explanation of how gears work.

All grantees will receive:

   - one exhibition for a 12-week display period; shipping is free for
   grantees;
   - a cash grant of $1,000 to cover the cost of public programming related
   to the exhibition;
   - a *Discover* teacher guide, family guide and hands-on activities for
   different age groups to help libraries develop programs and support
   classroom visits;
   - a two-day, in-person orientation for two exhibition coordinators per
   site;
   - periodic webinars on timely STEM topics to support programming in
   libraries;
   - promotional materials to aid in local outreach; and
   - access to the STAR_Net Online Community and a national network of
   STEM-oriented organizations.

Grantees will be required to plan public programs related to the exhibition
and to participate in the STAR_Net Online Community throughout the
exhibition period.

*Full guidelines and an online application are available at *
*http://apply.ala.org/STARNet-Discover**. The application deadline is April
7, 2015.*

For libraries that do not have the space to display an 800-square-foot
exhibition, ALA and its partners will accept applications for smaller
versions of the *Discover* exhibitions in summer 2015. These smaller
exhibitions — *Explore Space*, *Explore Earth *and *Explore Tech* — will
require roughly 200 square feet of display space. Check
http://www.ala.org/programming/ in June 2015 for further details.

*The Discover* exhibitions are made possible through the support of the
National Science Foundation. The exhibition and its educational support
materials and outreach opportunities are part of the STAR
(Science-Technology Activities and Resources) Library Education Network
(STAR_Net), a hands-on learning program for libraries and their communities
developed by the*National Center for Interactive Learning* at the Space
Science Institute. For more information, visit www.STARnetLibraries.org.

*About ALA’s Public Programs Office*

ALA’s Public Programs Office provides leadership, resources, training and
networking opportunities that help thousands of librarians nationwide
develop and host cultural programs for adult, young adult and family
audiences. The mission of the ALA Public Programs Office is to promote
cultural programming as an essential part of library service in all types
of libraries. Projects include book and film discussion series, literary
and cultural programs featuring authors and artists, professional
development opportunities and traveling exhibitions. School, public,
academic and special libraries nationwide benefit from the office’s
programming initiatives.

*About the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) at the Space
Science Institute (SSI)*

The *National Center for Interactive Learning* at the Space Science
Institute is dedicated to developing and implementing world-class projects
and programs that improve formal and informal STEM education and the
evaluation/research foundation on which they are based. NCIL is a national
leader in developing STEM exhibitions for science centers, museums and
public libraries as well as educational games and apps that can be deployed
on websites, mobile devices (e.g. smartphones and tablets) and multi-touch
tables. For more information about the NCIL, visit www.nc4il.org.

*About the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI)*

Through its *Explore* program and in partnership with the STAR_Net team,
the Lunar and Planetary Institute has worked with librarians, state
libraries and library associations for over 15 years to develop hands-on
activities and train library professionals to use them in their programs.
For more information about the Lunar and Planetary Institute, visit
www.lpi.usra.edu/explore.

*About the Afterschool Alliance*

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness, research and
advocacy organization that works to ensure all children have access to
affordable, quality afterschool programs. The Afterschool Alliance is
playing a major role in advancing afterschool STEM education opportunities
for young people across the country. For more information, visit
www.afterschoolalliance.org/STEM.

---

Sarah Ostman

Communications Manager

Public Programs Office

American Library Association

(312) 280-5061
www.ala.org/publicprograms

www.ProgrammingLibrarian.org

-- 
Suzanne L. Sager
Oregon ALA Representative
Portland State University Library
PO Box 1151
Portland, OR  97207-1151

Phone: 503-725-8169
Fax: 503-725-5799

email: sagers at pdx.edu
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