The ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office is sharing the following opportunity made available through their partnership with National 4-H Council.

As part of their annual STEM Challenge, 4-H would like to offer libraries free STEM kits with four activities that explore Mars and space.  Mars Base Camp is the official challenge for the 2020 4-H STEM Challenge. The Annual initiative aims to increase youth access to high-quality STEM activities that help kids build confidence and spark interest.

ALA’s partners at National 4-H Council are offering free Mars Base Camp kits (normally $24.95 + S&H each) to libraries. Supplies are limited, so be sure to sign up for kits using this form as soon as you can – and feel free to pass along this opportunity to your colleagues. Kits will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until supplies run out.

To receive your kit(s), all you need to do is fill out this form! Our partners at 4-H also ask that you consider using the kit during the month of October and sharing your experience/photos using the hashtag #4HSTEMChallenge. This is not required but will align you with hundreds of thousands of others across the country who will be doing the same thing during the month of October. If you receive a free kit through this program, you will be asked to fill out a very short survey at the end of the year asking about how you used, or plan to use, the kit.

You can learn more about Mars Base Camp and the 4-H STEM Challenge at 4-h.org/STEMChallenge.

• Developed by Google and Virginia Cooperative Extension, Mars Base Camp consists of three unplugged activities and one computer-based activity. They can be done individually, all-at-once, or you can pick-and-choose activities to do in any order. It’s completely flexible for your needs.
• Teachers or facilitators need no prior STEM skills to run Mars Base Camp with your kids! The instructions are easy-to-follow and even include talking points. It’s designed for novices to be able to facilitate comfortably. We have two training webinars available – an overview of the kit and activities, and a training on how to adapt your kit for virtual or hybrid programming due to Covid-19.
• Technology is not required for Mars Base Camp! The three unplugged activities require no tech at all (all materials included in the kit). The computer-based activity does require at least one computer, but can be done on- or offline.
• Each kit serves 12 kids at a time and is reusable. Mars Base Camp is suitable for kids aged 8-14 with little-to-no experience with STEM. 

If you have any questions, feel free to email Mandi Lindner at ...@4-H.org" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">mlin...@4-H.org.

Forwarded by:

Sharon Rawlins, MLS, she/her/hers

Youth Services Specialist for Lifelong Learning

NJ State Library

185 West State St.

P.O. Box 520

Trenton, NJ 08625-0520

...@njstatelib.org" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">sraw...@njstatelib.org

609-278-2640 ext. 116

609-278-2650 – fax