On March 25th, the Clean Water Science class was introduced to our Sparta Public Library class participants. The participants were given a Clean Water Science Kit and were instructed how to build a mini water filtration system. While wearing their mask and keeping their distance, they learned how to turn dirty water into clean water. They built their water filtration system tower using a paper filter, active carbon, sand and gravel. They then mixed a combination of oil, soil and water and poured the oily-muddy mixture into the top of the filtration tower and watched clean water drip into a clean glass jar. The participants were very excited to see the muddy oily water turn into clean water. Daniel Odom, Ryan Daniels and Liam Renner were the participants.

You can find more pictures of PNG programs here.

PROJECT NEXT GENERATION (PNG) Funding for this project was awarded through a grant provided by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Microscope Magnification Madness, another Project Next Generation program, was a fun-filled educational program held on March 23, 2021. Participants explored the microscopic world and learned the parts of the microscope and how to utilize it. Each participant was given prepared slides, one of a goldfish scale and one of an apple.  They were also given blank slides to view an onion skin, a dollar bill, a piece of lettuce and pond water. Each participant was allowed to take the Microscope home with some blank slides. They agreed to complete a worksheet on Microscope Science that asked the questions of “what did you put on the slides?” and “what did you see?” They were to complete the worksheet at home and return it to the library along with the Microscope kit after 5 days.

You can find more pictures of PNG programs here.

PROJECT NEXT GENERATION (PNG) Funding for this project was awarded through a grant provided by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

The Sparta Public Library rolled out its second Project Next Generation class since re-opening from the COVID-19 shut down. The participants were given a terrarium kit consisting of a plastic mason type jar, stickers, raccoon and fire figurines, potting soil, Chia seeds and Wheatgrass seeds, glow in the dark sand, and white decorative rocks.  Linda Daniels and Lynette Jalivay facilitated the class. Linda gave a brief talk on what a terrarium is and distributed information on the longest living Terrarium. The class will take pictures every 3 days for two weeks and report to the library to receive a prize and a grand prize. They all had fun building their Terrarium.

You can find more pictures of PNG programs here.

PROJECT NEXT GENERATION (PNG) Funding for this project was awarded through a grant provided by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). 

On Saturday, March 6, 2021, Sparta Public Library was pleased to present “The Science of Ice Cream Making”. Everyone in the class wore a mask and practiced social distancing and the overall class was a hit. Place cards were made for each participant. They each had their own table and were spaced at opposite ends. Class instructors, Lynette Jalivay and Linda Daniels distributed Ice Cream making kits. After a brief introduction and welcome to the class, Lynette gave about a 5 – 8 minute talk on the science of ice cream, how ice cream is made and about the chemical reaction in making ice cream. She also gave a tidbit of information on the history of ice cream, and then we let the FUN begin. After all the shaking, they enjoyed eating the ice cream and they each gave the class a thumbs up. Call the library to see what is coming up soon.

You can find more pictures of PNG programs here.

PROJECT NEXT GENERATION (PNG) Funding for this project was awarded through a grant provided by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

On Monday, March 10, 2020, Sparta Public Library collaborated with the Sparta High School Anime Club. Fourteen students attended Sparta Public Library’s Project Next Generation’s (PNG) STEM Class. The students were given Architectural Engineering, Erector Engineering, and Real Bridge Building Kits to work with and were encouraged to choose the kit of their choice. They were allowed to work alone or work in a group.  Four construction houses were built, three bridges are under construction and one Erector robot was in the making. At the end of the class workshop, the students participated in a quick survey about the program. The comments were all very positive and a few mentioned that they would like more days like this at the Library. Once they were finished, they enjoyed an Asian-style meal of home-made fried rice with cookies for desert.

PROJECT NEXT GENERATION (PNG) Funding for this project was awarded through a grant provided by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).