CARSON CITY – Carson City Library will host its first Bionics Camp for Carson City middle school students on three Saturdays in February to encourage STEM-related career exploration and development.
STEM, short for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, has become an increasingly popular and vital area of learning for students hoping to succeed in the new economy. According to the National Science Teachers Association it couples rigorous academic concepts with real-world lessons “as students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise.”
Bionics is the study of mechanical systems that function like living organisms, or parts of living organisms. The Bionics Camp will use both analog and digital learning to create nature-based robots—parts of a bionic fish, elephant and chameleon—and to develop greater ideation, creativity and problem-solving skills.
“We are thrilled to begin this program for our local community,” Carson City Library Creative Learning Manager Maria Klesta said. “This camp provides an outlet for students interested in technology, engineering and science to get hands-on experience. Being able to offer programs like this helps us reach our youth through a unique educational pathway, while introducing them to different career opportunities.”
A locally trained bionics educator, high school bionics interns, and Carson City Library staff will lead the Bionic Camps. Camps are conducted following strict health and safety protocols.
The camp is scheduled for Saturdays, Feb. 6, Feb. 13 and Feb. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.each day. Participants must attend all three days of camp. Registration is limited to eight students and is available on the library’s website calendar. Two additional bionics camps are scheduled with one in March and another offered June 2021; registration will open separately for each.
For more information, visit CarsonCityLibrary.org online
