The library will provide patrons an after hours experience at the library to highlight the achievements and contributions Black Americans have had on space exploration. Using a variety of activity stations throughout the library, the purpose of the program is to inspire families and children in discovering Black astronauts, scientists, engineers, and visionaries throughout history. There will be multiple stations in which families can freely explore and learn something new. Stomp Rockets will allow families to explore physics as they try to create a rocket ship out of pool noodles and paper. At this station informational posters will explain the science behind rocket ships. The constellation craft will allow patrons to create spacial sceneries using colored chalk and gold/silver stickers. Around the station will be multiple books that explore space as well as autobiographies on the Black scientist throughout history who have allowed us to explore space. The moon foil station will allow families to create and take hope moon shaped painting using a stamping technique. The scavenger hunt will allow patrons to explore the library and its services while also looking for planets that give information on Black astronauts, scientists, and engineers in current and past history. For example, Mercury may give information on Leland Melvin, an astronaut who served on Space Shuttle Atlantis and has a memorable picture of him and his dogs.   Families are also able to attend a 15 minute storytime in which the librarian will read Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed and lead families in a fingerplay and movement song. The main draw of the program will be the virtual guest speaker who, depending on who is booked, will be a Black NASA employee or a Black professor on astronomy or astrophysics. The guest speaker will be reached out at least 3 months prior to the event in order to secure using the appropriate forms as guided by the NASA website or the individuals request form. 

Activity Stations: 

• Stomp Rockets

  • Materials- plastic bottles, cut pool noodles, papers, crayons, scissors, and PVC pipes.

• Constellation Chalk Painting  

  • Materials- black construction paper, colored chalk, foil star stickers

• Moon Foil Stamp Painting

  • Materials- white paper plates, grey paint, foil

• Planet & Fact Scavenger Hunt

  • Materials- printed paper and golf pencils

• Storytime (7pm, 7:30pm, & 8pm)

• Guest NASA speaker or university professor (7pm & 8pm) 

Staffing: 

12 librarians and library assistants

12 volunteers (2 per activity stations)

Budget: 

$700 total for the program. Funding will pay for the guest speaker fee as well as costs for craft materials that is not already owned by the library.  Refreshments and snacks will be provided thanks to the support of the Friends of the Library.