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Family S.T.E.A.M. Day at the Louisville FREE Public Library gets the whole family involved

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 6:12 GMT by WDRB
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Family’s STEAAM Day at the Louisville Free Public Library drew families from across the city for a weekend of hands‑on learning, creativity, and community celebration. The event, held in the library’s bustling Main Branch on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31, was part of the library’s annual “Family Day” series and aimed to bring together science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAAM) in a way that was accessible to children of all ages and their parents.

The library’s event planners—led by Senior Curator Maria Gonzalez and Community Outreach Coordinator Jonathan Pierce—designed a program that spanned the entire day, from early‑morning storytime to late‑afternoon pop‑up maker space. The schedule was posted on the library’s website (https://www.louisvillelibrary.org/events/steaam-day) and featured a series of themed stations that encouraged exploration, problem‑solving, and collaboration. Each station was staffed by volunteers, teachers, and local STEM professionals who guided families through a mix of structured challenges and open‑ended projects.

The “Tech Tinker” station was perhaps the most popular. Children aged six to ten built simple circuits using breadboards and LEDs under the guidance of high‑school robotics club members. Older kids—ages 12 to 16—joined a coding workshop where they learned the basics of Scratch and Python while creating short interactive games. The library also partnered with the local tech company, Innovate Louisville, to provide a mini‑hackathon for middle‑schoolers. Participants were given access to an Arduino kit and a tablet, and they were tasked with designing a device that could measure the temperature of a cup of coffee and display the results on a screen. The challenge sparked friendly competition and inspired a handful of teams to present their prototypes in the afternoon “Showcase” session.

In the “Engineering Emporium,” families assembled wooden bridges using popsicle sticks, glue, and string. The task, which was based on the classic “Bridge Building” activity from the National Academy of Engineering, challenged participants to balance strength and weight. At the end of the session, a panel of local civil engineers offered quick tips on real‑world bridge design. For the art lovers, the “Creative Canvas” station invited kids to paint with recycled materials and create 3‑D sculptures from paper mache. The station was hosted by the Louisville Arts Alliance, which provided a small donation of craft supplies and led a brief workshop on upcycling.

A highlight of the weekend was the “STEAM Story Hour,” where children listened to a story about a young inventor named Maya who uses science to solve community problems. The story was read by the library’s own storyteller, Angela Park, who paused for interactive moments—asking kids to predict what Maya would do next and letting them participate in a quick experiment that demonstrated the science behind the story’s plot. The session was livestreamed on the library’s YouTube channel, and a recording is still available for those who missed the live event.

In addition to the hands‑on stations, the library hosted a “Parent’s Corner” where caregivers could learn about the latest research on early childhood development, pick up a copy of the new book “Science in the Kitchen,” and get a sneak peek at the library’s upcoming “STEM Saturdays” series. The library’s director, Dr. Samuel Thompson, took the opportunity to thank community partners and volunteers for their support, noting that the event would not have been possible without the generosity of the local businesses that provided sponsorship and materials.

The library’s “Family’s STEAAM Day” also served as a platform for showcasing the library’s digital resources. A dedicated booth displayed the library’s new e‑learning platform, where parents and kids could access free coding courses, 3‑D printing tutorials, and a collection of interactive science experiments. Visitors could register on the spot, and a team of librarians explained how the platform could be used at home to supplement school curricula.

One of the most memorable moments came from the “Maker March” where a group of nine‑year‑olds built a working model of a wind turbine that could power a small LED light. The model was later displayed in the library’s “Future Innovators” exhibit, which will remain open until the end of the month. The exhibit is part of the library’s long‑term initiative to highlight student achievements in STEM fields.

The event concluded with a community photo‑op at the library’s courtyard. Families posed with their projects, the library’s staff, and a backdrop that read “STEAAM in the Heart of Louisville.” The photo booth’s final image was shared on the library’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/lfpl/), where the library’s followers posted comments expressing gratitude and excitement for the next Family Day.

Overall, the Louisville Free Public Library’s “Family’s STEAAM Day” proved to be a resounding success. Attendees reported increased enthusiasm for science and technology, and many parents shared that they had learned new ways to engage their children at home. The library’s team plans to expand the program in the future, incorporating more advanced robotics, virtual reality experiences, and collaborations with local universities. As Dr. Thompson noted, “We believe that by bringing STEAAM into the community in a playful, inclusive setting, we’re not only fostering curiosity but also building a stronger, more connected Louisville.”