Tuesday means Story Time at the library

The McLoud Public Library presents its weekly Story Time events at 11 a.m. on each Tuesday morning during August.

Events are geared to young children and their caregivers, and themes are:

Aug. 1 – Preschool Story Time, with stories, songs, rhymes and more for preschool-age children and their caregivers

Aug. 8 – Viva GLART! Grow a Learner Through Art, a bilingual event including stories, art and play time;

Aug. 15 – Preschool Story Time, with stories, songs, rhymes and more for preschool-age children and their caregivers

Aug. 22 – Stress Relief Story Time, a morning of stories and massage, with two certified infant massage instructors.

Aug. 29 – Preschool Fun Fit Kids, an introduction of basic fitness activities for young children;

Registration is not required to attend any of the story times.

FIRST announces 2017 STEM Equity Community Innovation grant winners

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) recently announced 17 grants to support the development of new, innovative approaches to address equity, inclusion and diversity inequalities in STEM (science, technology, education and math) education, focusing on communities with underserved and underrepresented students.

The Pioneer Library System Foundation is partnering with the McLoud Public Schools and the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma to form three FIRST LEGO League Jr. teams in McLoud using funds received from the grant.

FIRST launched its STEM Equity Community Innovation Grants program in 2016 to provide diverse and disadvantaged students and communities with hands-on learning opportunities and outlets for creative problem-solving. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 with an average of $35,000, and evaluation criteria include community need, demographics, increases in diversity; execution strength, track record of reaching targeted students and the value of the activities proposed.

“STEM experiences open doors for kids no matter which careers they chose, but students don’t always get access to hands-on learning in their classrooms,” said Donald E. Bossi, president of FIRST. “These grants empower educators and community leaders to offer access to quality, impactful STEM education experiences to all kids, regardless of their location, gender, race or any other demographic indicator so that they can reach their full potential.”

Grant Sponsors include Arconic Foundation, Qualcomm, Inc., Caterpillar, GM, GitHub, John Deere and New York City individuals, among others. Grantees will receive resources and support from FIRST as they develop their programs.

The 2018 FIRST STEM Equity Community Innovation Grant application process will open in the fall of this year, and grants will be awarded to a mix of current and new recipients. More information will become available at the FIRST website.