The Gift of Reading
Elk Rapids District Library Incorporates STEM Kits Into After-School Program.
Another new community program, in partnership with Newton’s Road, a Traverse City-based nonprofit organization, has been initiated as a once-per-month after school program. Newton’s Road, established in 2010, is dedicated to bringing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related learning experiences to underserved populations in the community. The hope is to develop critical thinking skills and create new pathways for STEM careers. According to Williams, the Elk Rapids Library sets up new learning kits, provided by Newton’s Road, and makes them available to students as an after-school program. Williams noted that 30 kids, with adults, showed up for the first session.