Rock Island students are busy learning while playing with sensory stations and STEAM kits at all three Rock Island Public Library locations thanks to generous Rotarians.
The stations and kits were financed with a $1,200 grant from Rotary District 6420 which was matched dollar-for-dollar by the Rotary Club of Rock Island.
The trio of sensory stands purchased with part of those funds were assembled in late August by Rock Island Rotarians Kevin Koski and Geno DelPreore. They are installed and already in use in the children’s sections of these Rock Island Library locations:
- Main Branch, 401 19th St.
- Southwest Library, 9010 Ridgewood Road.
- Watts – Midtown Branch, 2715 30th St.
“The sensory stations have already been a huge hit. We have them at all three locations and they are consistently used by our youngest guests,” Rock Island Public Library Director Angela Campbell told the QCBJ.
Ms. Campbell also called the 13 STEAM kits supplied by the Rock Island service club of which she is a member ‘’really exciting.”
She added “The Rotary grant doubled our collection, ensuring that there’s always something for families and teachers to check out. Kits range from exploring shapes and numbers to drawing and engineering. The hands-on learning that these kits provide encourages kids to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math in creative ways. It’s always so rewarding to see kids get excited about learning.”
Ms. Campbell and Rock Island Children’s Librarian Susan Foster selected the sensory stands. They feature covered bins and can be used with a variety of sensory play materials allowing for hours of open-ended play. Each unit is designed to be a dedicated standalone sensory play area.
“Gems in our community’
The new additions were first proposed by the Rock Island club’s Literacy Committee. They are expected to enhance learning opportunities for 10,000 children in Rock Island and Milan.
“The three Rock Island Public Libraries are gems in our community,” Rotary Club of Rock Island President Sue Rector wrote in an application for a $1,200 grant from District 6420.
“The benefits of adding Sensory and STEAM opportunities for children at the libraries will expand the options for teachers and parents to seek out the library for new learning possibilities,” the application said.
The project also squares with the Rock Island Rotary Foundation’s “focus to provide Basic Education and Literacy opportunities for children in the Rock Island area. We also believe that these offerings fit into the Foundation’s focus on the improvement of health,” she wrote.
The STEAM kits allow parents and teachers to help children develop critical thinking skills, to think outside the box, and to take risks through experimentation and exploration. For young children, the kits help them to explore outside their traditional play.
For older children, the hands-on opportunities. They can help teach kids how to manage their time and break larger projects into smaller steps.
