Library launches science education program
A grandmother explores nature with her grandson using the Exploring Biodiversity Kit. Photo credit: Emily Maletz
ImagineIF Libraries has a new science-based educational program for all ages. This month the library is launching Science Connect: Lending Tools For Discovery, a new service that allows patrons to check out science kits or a Reflector Telescope.
In partnership with Arizona State University and SciStarter, ImagineIF is offering two Citizen Science Kits for checkout — Measuring Light in the Night Kit and Exploring Biodiversity Kit. With the Measuring Light in the Night Kit, patrons will learn about light pollution and contribute to astronomical research. The kit features interactive star charts, astronomy binoculars and a sky quality meter. The Exploring Biodiversity Kit provides smartphone clip-on lenses and smartphone adaptable binoculars to share observational data on iNaturalist world nature app.
In addition, Imagine IF libraries has partnered with the University of Montana spectrUM Discovery Area in Missoula and the O.P. and W.E. Edwards Foundation to provide an Orion Starblast 4.5 Altazimuth Reflector telescope for check out. The telescope comes with instructions, including how to properly transport and set up the telescope. It is capable of gathering several hundred times more light than the naked eye, magnify up to 56.25 times, and has been specially modified making it easy for amateur astronomers of all ages to observe the moon’s craters, explore Jupiter and its Galilean satellites, discover Saturn and its rings and more.
Science Connect items are available for check out now. For more details, visit https://imagineiflibraries.org/education/adults/