Hands-on exhibits create new energy in libraries
Roam with the beasts. Split white light into a rainbow of
colors. Kids across South Dakota can participate in these
hands-on science activities, thanks to a series of traveling
exhibits that combine science, literature and art.
The easy-to-assemble exhibits are poised to visit libraries
across South Dakota. A group called the Hands-On Partnership
(HOP) for Science, Literature and Art in South Dakota
purchased the exhibits and plans to tour them year-round.
HOP’s members include the South Dakota State Library; South
Dakota School of Mines & Technology; South Dakota Discovery
Center & Aquarium, Pierre; Dahl Arts Center, Rapid City; and
Rawlins Municipal Library, Pierre.
“We expect these exhibits to generate new energy in school and
community libraries across the state,” said Dorothy Liegl,
director of the South Dakota State Library. “They are a great
way to show that combining science, literacy and art
activities together can make learning fun for all ages.”
While schools are invited to book the exhibits, HOP partners
hope that community groups become the driving force behind
offering the exhibits. “With the mandates required by No Child
Left Behind, schools don’t have time to do a lot of extra
things,” said Karen Kern, HOP director. “With this program,
community groups such as the local Rotary Club or Lions Club
can take this project on – allowing teachers to focus on the
basics.”
Two traveling exhibits currently are available from HOP. They
are titled “Light & Color” and “Dinostories.” Two additional
exhibits, “A Bug’s Eye View” and “Animals as Architects”
should be ready to travel the state by late 2006.
Each exhibit is designed to be a turn-key operation. Each
comes with an exhibit manual, ideas for school field-trip
activities, and educational kits filled with related
experiments and art supplies.
“Light & Color” recently made its South Dakota debut at the
Huron Public Library, where it had a successful run. “There is
no way that this exhibit could fail to make an immense
educational, artistic or kinetic impact on anyone who will be
fortunate enough to come in contact with it. There are simply
too many ways to have fun, to learn and to succeed with this
display,” said Betty Gilchrist, the children’s librarian at
the Huron Public Library.
From Huron, the exhibit went to Woonsocket. It is currently
headed to Plankinton.
Schools or community groups interested in bringing one of the
exhibits to their library should contact Karen Kern at (605)
773-5050.
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