A “Little Free Library” has been added to the Science Vortex’s roster of fun, educational activities for kids.
The Science Vortexis a nonprofit organization dedicated to getting Verde Valley children excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics plus art, otherwise known as STEAM. Not only do they provide weekly programs and activities for kids, but they now have free books for kids to borrow too.
The Little Free Library is located at 301 North Willard Street on the fence just outside of the Science Vortex on Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District’s Cottonwood Educational Services campus.
Laurie Altringer, founder and director of Science Vortex, said the library can hold around 50 STEM books on a variety of reading levels from preschool to around fifth grade.
Kids, whether participating in Science Vortex activities or not, are encouraged to swing by, grab a book and return it later.
“We’re encouraging them to exchange it, bring it back next week and kind of get in a pattern,” she said. “Return a book, take a book.”
Not only will books be available through the Little Free Library, but it will also be stocked with SciTech Institute science kits containing hands-on STEAM activities that kids can keep.
“People can stop by and take a STEAM kit home, and it will have a hands-on activity to do at home and they get to keep the materials,” Altringer said.
The Little Free Library and STEAM kits were made possible through grants from the Rural Activation and Innovation Network [RAIN] and the National Science Foundation. The organizations provided the Science Vortex with $400, which allowed them to purchase 50 STEM books, as well as the STEAM kits.
Altringer said they are expecting to receive the first of the STEAM kits soon and will announce their arrival monthly through the ScienceVortex Facebook page.
Giving kids access to STEM-themed books helps provide them with a strong foundation in reading skills and in critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and innovation.
“[It gives them] that prior knowledge, that background knowledge, that Velcro to stick ideas to when they experience it hands-on and then of course just promoting literacy, in general, is beneficial to all kids,” Altringer said.
The benefit of the library itself also helps drive foot traffic to the Science Vortex and promotes awareness in the community. Altringer said they’ve already had kids that aren’t regulars at their programs take books to read, including kids from the RISE Resource Center next door.
Abby Berglund, who brings her daughter to Science Vortex programs, said she was excited by the addition of the Little Free Library.
“We really love and appreciate the Science Vortex. It’s a wonderful, wonderful thing. We love books, and this is very cool. We’re very grateful for all the things they do,” she said.
For more information about the Science Vortex and the Little Free Library, visit sciencevortex.org.
