Pinckneyville Public Library initiates STEM project

PINCKNEYVILLE - After receiving their first Project Next Generation (PNG) grant, Pinckneyville Public Library officials have started a STEM/STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) project to challenge and encourage students in these areas of education.

Recent SIU Elementary Education graduate and three-year library worker, Phoebe Issler, serves as mentor to 10 students in grades 5-9, meeting at the Library each Tuesday from 4-5:30 p.m.

After working with snap circuits and Ozobots, the students started creating a city, using questioning, dialogue, and critical thinking in this round of classes that will last until early May, with plans to offer more classes later this spring and summer using the grant.

Pinckneyville Public Library Director Kathy West contributed to this story.