BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
The Hays Public Library (HPL) will be collaborating with the Hays Fire Department (HFD) to bring the members of the community this week’s HPL featured event, the Explorers: STREAM program, which is scheduled to take place from 10-11:00 a.m. on Thursday in the Children’s Activity Room of the HPL.
According to the Hays Public Library website, Explorers is a STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math) program. The early literacy skills, motor skills, and concepts taught in Explorers are developmentally appropriate for ages three to eight years. Adult assistance is requested to help the children with STREAM activities.
Early Literacy Coordinator at the HPL, Amy Lucio, clarifies that while the Explorers: STREAM program is not exclusive to the summer months, the summer program differs slightly from the winter, spring, and fall semesters at 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays.
“The summer program is different because we have more school-age kids that attend in addition to ages three to four, but kindergarten-second grade students are welcome to come when school is not in session,” Lucio said. “During the school year, the audience is typically ages three to four.”
Lucio goes on to explain the origins of the program.
“The Explorers: STREAM program has been in place for several years. The idea is to connect reading to other content areas, such as science, technology, engineering, art, and math,” she said. “The kids enjoy hands-on learning and they build academic vocabulary naturally through creating and investigating.”
Lucio emphasizes that the Hays Public Library strives to connect with other city resources to provide experiences for the children in our community.
“All of our emergency services have been very supportive of our children’s programs and want to interact with the children in our community in a positive way,” she said.
Lucio continues by giving more specifics on how the Hays Fire Department became involved.
“The Hays Fire Department typically sends two firefighters to read at Storytime once a month; however, the fire truck ‘show and tell’ only comes in the summer and fall due to weather,” Lucio said.
For this specific edition of Explorers: STREAM, Lucio says guests will listen to a story read by HFD and the children will learn scientific vocabulary through exploring the fire truck.
“After the story, they will have the opportunity to explore the fire truck and create fun, outdoor art with red, white, and blue paint for Independence Day,” she said.
By hosting programs and events like this one, Lucio hopes to build relationships between the youth of the community and the emergency service providers.
“Hopefully, if children have had an opportunity to interact with firefighters in a fun environment, they will not be afraid of the fire department and the fire truck in an emergency situation,” Lucio said.
The rest of the week’s events are as follows:
Monday, June 26, 2023
- 10 to 11 a.m – Storytime @ Children’s activity Room
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Bookmobile @ Massey Park
- 10:30 to 11 a.m. – STREAM Team: Cheerio Tower @ Schmidt Gallery
- 1 to 2 p.m. – Readiness & Review, K-2 @ Children’s Activity Room
- 2 to 4 p.m. – Movie Monday: Instant Family @ Trish Davies Activity Room
- 2 to 4 p.m. – Movie Monday: We Bought a Zoo @ Children’s Activity Room
- 6 to 7 p.m. – Fantasy Book Club @ Main Level conference Room
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
- 8 to 9 a.m. – When Everyone Leads Book Discussion with Hays Chamber of Commerce @ Schmidt Community Commons
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Storytime @ Children’s Activity Room
- 10:30 to 11 a.m. – STREAM Team: Bubble Wands @ Schmidt Gallery
- 1 to 2 p.m. – Readiness & Review, 3-5 @ Children’s Activity Room
- 2 to 3 p.m. – Family Feud @ Trish Davies Activity Room
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Afternoon Storytime @ Children’s Activity Room
- 6 to 7 p.m. – Zen Yoga @ Schmidt Gallery
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
- 9 to 10 a.m. – Itty Bitty @ Children’s Activity Room
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Bookmobile @ Centennial Towers
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Itty Bitty @ Children’s Activity Room
- 10:30 to 11 a.m. – STREAM Team: Shapes and Play-doh @ Schmidt Gallery
- 2 to 3 p.m. – Chess Club @ Children’s Activity Room
- 2 to 3 p.m. – DIY Suncatchers @ Upper Level Commons Area
- 2 to 3 p.m. – Video Games @ Trish Davies Activity Room
- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Crafter’s Social Hour @ Schmidt Community Commons
Thursday, June 29, 2023
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Explorers: STREAM @ Children’s Activity Room
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Kansas Room Koffee Hour @ Kansas Room
- 2 to 3 p.m. – Build It @ Children’s Activity Room
- 2 to 3 p.m. – Pictionary @ Trish Davies Activity Room
- 6 to 7 p.m. – Cuisine Around the World: Sushi Demonstration with Saki2Me @ Schmidt Community Commons
Friday, June 30, 2023
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Bookmobile @ Rainbow Stage near ARC Park
- 10 to 11 a.m. – Storytime @ Rainbow Stage near ARC Park
- 2 to 3 p.m. – Board Games: Cards Against Humanity @ Trish Davies Activity Room
- 2 to 3 p.m. – Funky Friday: DIY Guitar @ Children’s Activity Room
For more information, visit https://hayslibrary.evanced.info/signup/Calendar for a short description of each event and to keep up to date on any changes throughout the week.