By Karen Mack, Youth Services Librarian
Sedona AZ (February 24, 2017) – The theme is STEAM and it’s rolling through the entire Verde Valley from February 23 through March 3, 2017. Sedona Public Library is participating in the Verde Valley SciTech Festival and is pleased to bring a 3D printer demonstration and an afternoon of activity to the library’s community room on Wednesday, March 1.
Since 2010 the State of Arizona has held an annual AZ SciTech Festival during February and March. Hundreds of events focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM or STEAM when you include the arts) are hosted at various statewide venues for the general public.
You may remember a ‘Build a Foxhole Radio’ workshop and a Squishy Circuit event hosted by Sedona Library in the past. Well, in 2014 an enthusiastic and hard working group of Verde Valley people decided to work with the AZ State program in an effort to promote STEAM on a more local, community level. A mini, week-long Verde Valley SciTech Festival was created and is going strong today!
Local STEAM events begin on Thursday, February 23, and end with a fantastic Verde Valley SciTech Expo at Yavapai College Clarkdale Campus on Friday, March 3. All events during the week are free, open to all ages, and include prize opportunities for active participants.
You can pick up a VVSciTech Festival passport, listing all the events, at any event location including Sedona Public Library. Attending a minimum of 6 events, checked off on your passport, means that you will be entered in a drawing for gift items contributed by donors. The draw will take place at the Yavapai College Expo event.
On Wednesday, March 1, at 12:30 p.m., Sedona Public Library invites you to join Chris Guerra, Project Specialist for the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, for a presentation and live demonstration of 3D printing (additive) manufacturing. You will learn about the history, the process, the application, and the future of this increasingly pervasive technology. After the 3D printer presentation all ages are welcome to explore STEAM activity tables that will be set up in the community room.
STEAM activities will include building miniature catapults while learning about simple machines, and using leverage to create a personalized metal button with our button making machine. There will be a table for attendees to experience augmented reality. Augmented reality brings 360 degree viewing and sound effects to the world of education and entertainment.
We will also be bringing out Snap Circuits, Lego bricks, and a couple of new building kits as well. It will be an afternoon of hands-on learning; it’s all about the science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. STEAM is a catchy acronym widely used to remind us that developing and strengthening skills in all areas can give us power as we approach mysteries and challenges ahead.
Verde Valley SciTech Festival will give us a week to embrace our inner geek. All activities are listed on the VVSciTech passport which you can pick up at Sedona Public Library youth reference desk. Then you are ready to go full STEAM ahead, enjoying dozens of activities in Sedona and the Verde Valley and don’t forget to drop in to the library on Wednesday, March 1, for an interesting afternoon.