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Library Lab Experience Makes House Call – at School

Paris Ridge Elementary students walked into an art room that had been transformed into a mini-maker space. Before them were kits with activities in engineering, physics, electrical, architecture and making slime, all for them to explore at their choosing.

Aidan Bozyn builds with wooden planks
Aidan Bozyn builds with wooden planks

“We want to see what you can create,” said Alison Larowe, youth librarian at the Caledonia Township Branch of Kent District Library. “You can build whatever you want. Dream it. Make it.”

Students at the kindergarten through fifth-grade school got busy building, tinkering and designing. It was the first on-site school visit for the Caledonia Branch KDL Lab Experience, which promotes creativity, problem-solving skills and unstructured time to explore. The Lab Experience is an outreach effort to increase proficiency in science, technology, engineering, arts and math, or STEAM, disciplines.

“The library is much, much more than books these days. We are a community center,” Larowe said.

Addi VanOost smiles as the slime takes shape
Addi VanOost smiles as the slime takes shape

KDL representatives brought kits to school at the request of Principal Kris Vydareny, and to the delight of fifth-grader Aidan Bozyn, who immediately began building structures with wooden KEVA Planks.

“It’s amazing, really fun,” Aidan said. “Out of these you can create basically anything. I can express my creativity.”

Paris Ridge staff members seek opportunities for students to explore without parameters, Vydareny said, “to have a goal in mind and try to create, innovate and problem solve to find a solution.”

“This type of activity asks kids to ‘think differently’ — in a safe environment in which a ‘wrong answer’ just means ‘I have to try again,'” he said. “They are allowed to struggle — but I think it is productive struggle… they rely on each other for advice and they can just explore.”

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Erin Albanese
Erin Albanese
Erin Albanese is managing editor and reporter, covering Kentwood, Lowell and Wyoming. She was one of the original SNN staff writers, helping launch the site in 2013, and enjoys fulfilling the mission of sharing the stories of public education. She has worked as a journalist in the Grand Rapids area since 2000. A graduate of Central Michigan University, she has written for The Grand Rapids Press, Advance Newspapers, On-the-Town Magazine and Group Tour Media. Read Erin's full bio

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