The Chelsea Public Library announced Tuesday that it has been awarded a grant from NASA and the American Library Association called NASA@ My Library.
Chelsea Public Library is one of 75 libraries that have been chosen from a total of 513 applicants to receive the NASA@ My Library grant, and is the only library in Massachusetts selected to participate in the initiative.
The NASA@ My Library project is led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute. Partners include the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, Pacific Science Center, Cornerstones of Science, and Education Development Center. NASA@ My Library is made possible through the support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate as part of its STEM Activation program.
The Children’s Librarian Martha Boksenbaum said, “We are very excited to have won this grant, it will enable the library to bring more STEM programming to Chelsea, and build an environment of exploration, play and learning.”
The library will receive the following from this grant:
- Two NASA STEM Facilitation Kits including STEM tools and programming materials including a green screen and solar eclipse viewing glasses
- A $500 programming stipend
- Travel reimbursement for the Children’s Librarian to travel to Denver, CO for training
In implementing this grant, the Chelsea Public Library will run at least three programs between May 2017 and October 2018.
- A Solar Eclipse Viewing Party on August 21.
- A series of workshops in which children and adults can explore the NASA Facilitation kits
materials and activities
- An Earth Day Celebration in Spring 2018
- Guest visits from Subject Matter Experts to engage with children and families
The Chelsea Public Library provides programming free of charge, and strives to create an environment of learning and exploration to the Chelsea community.