STEAM - WKTV Journal

Summer Wonder brings participants a spectacular summer of outdoor discovery, scavenger hunts, reading, STEAM activities – and lots of fun for everyone (Courtesy, KDL)

By WKTV Staff

Summer Wonder’s “WonderFold” contains a tracking log for participants (Courtesy, KDL)

Kent District Library is taking readers on a Summer Wonder journey of reading, learning and experiencing!

The Summer Wonder challenge is designed for multiple learning styles and abilities to keep readers of all ages engaged and inspired. The program brings participants a spectacular summer of outdoor discovery, scavenger hunts, reading, STEAM activities – and lots of fun for everyone.

Summer Wonder is a great opportunity to limit the “summer slide” that negatively affects learning between the end and start of the traditional school year. Extensive research shows that children involved in summertime reading programs sponsored by public libraries are more likely to maintain their academic skills.

Participate in Summer Wonder, running from June 2 – Aug. 8, by picking up a Wonderlog at any KDL branch or signing up online at kdl.beanstack.org. It is free and includes adventures and prizes for all ages.

“Earning prizes for reading and having fun – what could be better?” said Leigh Verburg, Branch Programming and Outreach Specialist. “Summer Wonder includes stories, activities and discovery for all ages, so sign up together and let the fun begin!”

More free summer programs!

KDL offers a great line-up of free summer programs and presenters including singing, magic, animals, puppets, STEAM activities and more. For a complete listing, visit kdl.org/events.

For more information on the Summer Wonder program, visit kdl.org/summer.

Sarah Wood works with fourth-graders Chloe Calva and Mireya Torres during Day of Code at Godfrey Elementary. Wood created a calendar of summer STEAM activities that caretakers can use to keep students engaged in learning this summer. (School News Network)

By Bridie Bereza
School News Network

Need simple, open-ended ideas to keep children entertained and engaged this summer? Sarah Wood, technology and media integration specialist for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, has got you covered.

Wood created a Summer STEAM Calendar and shared it on her education blog, My Ed Tech World. The calendar has low-cost or no-cost activity ideas students can do every day in June, July, and August. Suggestions include things like creating a mini-golf course in the backyard, making a bug catcher, and designing a car wash for a bicycle.

Calendars for a STEAM activity a day. (School News Network)

Wood, an educator with children of her own, said, “As parents, we know the inevitable ‘I’m bored!’ will come and it is sometimes hard to get creative when feeling burned out. It was my hope that having daily activities at the ready would help curb some of the summer boredom and encourage families to work together on simple projects with items that can mostly be found around the house, outside, or maybe from a friend or family member.”

She said activities can be completed regardless of the language spoken at home, and are designed to help students create, communicate, and build confidence in themselves and their work.

Wood chose activities that encourage outdoor time and thus, de-emphasize the “T” in STEAM – which stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Bonus for parents, sitters, or whoever will be caring for students this summer: none of the activities involve slime. (Your walls and carpets will thank her.)

For more stories on our local schools, visit schoolnewsnetwork.org.