Monthly S.T.E.M. programs at Marshall Library get kids exploring

On the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m, librarian Janice Foerster at the Marshall Public Library hosts a S.T.E.M event for local children aged roughly seven through 13 or 14, although younger participants are accepted depending on the activity.

S.T.E.M, for those who may be unaware, stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. And, associated programs are often utilized for kids in elementary and middle school to introduce them to said areas of study.

On Feb. 13, the activity was baking soda and water writing, which appears invisible before either lemon juice or a turmeric-rubbing alcohol mixture is applied, revealing whatever the participant drew or wrote.

“It’s a different topic or activity every month, and in February we planned to do disappearing ink,” said librarian Callie Armstrong, as Foerster was unavailable for comment. “Janice usually gets anywhere from four to around 25 kids at a time depending on what the activity is. What's better is they usually seem to enjoy it and learn something new, too.”

The activity planned for March 12 is an evening experimenting with snap circuits, which will be used to build even larger and more complex electrical circuits and teach younger kids about how and why electricity works.

Foerster, Armstrong, and the rest of the library staff would like the community to know that no sign up is required for these events and all walk-ins are welcome to come join in.