Hastings Public Library, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — Hastings Public Library is inviting the community to discover the excitement of scientific exploration through a series of hands-on programs made possible by the Science Across America initiative.
Earlier this year, Children’s Librarian Alyssa Langholz was awarded a grant through Spark of Science @ My Library, a national initiative created through a partnership between the STAR Library Network and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios. As one of a select group of libraries chosen from across the United States and its territories, Hastings Public Library is bringing interactive science experiences to local families while celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and the nation’s long history of scientific discovery.
“Science is all about asking questions, exploring ideas, and making discoveries,” Alyssa said. “! applied for the Science Across America program because I want to expand the resources that the Hastings Public Library offers to our community. Science is a great way to learn hands on. critical thinking while also having fun.”
The library launched the initiative earlier this summer with Operation: Community Science, where participants learned how everyday observations can contribute to real scientific research. Families explored how to identify local birds and plants while discovering how community scientists help researchers collect valuable environmental data.
The next event in the series, Space Rock Sherlock, will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, 1-3 p.m.
Participants will become planetary detectives as they examine mysterious rock samples, conduct scientific tests, and determine whether each specimen originated on Earth or journeyed through space as a meteorite. The NASA activity kit used during the program was provided through the Science Across America initiative.
The series will continue in October with Let’s Talk Science: A Community Dialogue, a collaborative community conversation that reflects one of the key goals of the Science Across America initiative. Community members, educators, STEM professionals, and anyone else