Shreve Memorial Library will celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science with a variety of STEAM and STEM related programs and presentations starting Monday, February 5 and continuing through Tuesday, February 13. International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated annually on February 11 as a way to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology. Throughout Caddo Parish, children and teens will be able to learn more about prominent women in scientific fields and participate in a variety of science experiments at Shreve Memorial Library branches. All programs are free and open to the public.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a joint effort of UNESCO and UN-Women, in collaboration with institutions and civil society partners that aim to promote women and girls in science. The observance is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities. Recognizing the many contributions of women and girls in science, Shreve Memorial Library branches will host several programs designed to educate and inspire patrons to pursue interests in science and technology careers.
On Tuesday, February 6, the David Raines Branch will host a program featuring the Northside Middle School Girls of Excellence group. The program will acknowledge contributions of women and girls to science, encourage future generations to consider careers in the field of technology and science, and celebrate pioneering African American women in science. In addition, participants will be able to conduct science experiments such as creating rainbow fireworks in a jar and rainbow paper. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the David Raines Branch, located at 2855 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Additionally, children and teens will be able to learn more about the many accomplishments of women and girls in science on Tuesday, February 6 at the Atkins Branch, 3704 Greenwood Road, at 4:00 p.m., and at the Hollywood/Union Avenue Branch, 2105 Hollywood Avenue, at 4:30 p.m.
On Thursday, February 8, the Mooretown and West Shreveport Branches will explore the impacts that women and girls have made on science as well as conduct fun experiments inspired by the stories of female scientists. At 4:00 p.m., the Mooretown Branch, located at 4360 Hollywood Avenue, will take a trip through history highlighting women and girls in science along the way, inviting children and teens to do a variety of experiments on the different aspects of science discussed. The West Shreveport Branch, located at 4380 Pines Road, will encourage teens to explore the accomplishments of “Ladies of Science” through an interactive board game, followed by an experiment that is sure to inflate. The program will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Several Shreve Memorial Library branches will host International Day of Women and Girls in Science programs inspired by space exploration and the many achievements and contributions of women in NASA and NASA space missions. Children and teens will learn about the work and accomplishments of Mae Jemison, Katherine Johnson, Stephanie Wilson, Jessica Watkins, as well as insights into NASA’s mission to Mars. They will also learn about astronomers Maria Mitchell and Caroline Herschel, while completing STEM experiments such as making galaxies in a jar, creating paper helicopters, tie-dye slime, and more. Space-themed programs are scheduled as follows:
Monday, February 5
· 3:30 p.m. – Galaxy Jars DIY: Hold the Galaxy in Your Hands at Hamilton/South Caddo Branch, 2111 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop
· 4:30 p.m. – Mission to Mars at Hollywood/Union Avenue Branch
Tuesday, February 6
· 4:00 p.m. – Women in Space with Krystle Beauchamp at North Shreveport Branch, 4844 North Market Street
· 4:30 p.m. – Mission to Mars Core Samples at Belcher-Wyche Branch, 409 Charles Street, Belcher
· 4:30 p.m. – Teen Time at Broadmoor Branch, 1212 Captain Shreve Drive
· 4:30 p.m. – Teen Tuesday: Hidden Figures Movie Screening at Cedar Grove-Line Avenue Branch, 8303 Line Avenue
Wednesday, February 7
· 4:30 p.m. – Elementary Explorers at Broadmoor Branch
Saturday, February 10
· 10:00a.m. – Movie screening of Hidden Figures at Wallette Branch, 363 Hearne Avenue
The Blanchard Branch will also hold a drop-in program celebrating the work of Mae Jemison from Tuesday, February 6 through Friday, February 9. Library patrons can visit the branch anytime between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. each day to read books by Mae Jemison and pick up a take home experiment similar to one she would have done on the Space Shuttle Endeavor. The Blanchard Branch is located at 344 Alexander Street in Blanchard.
Other Shreve Memorial Library branches will offer fun, hands-on experiments, crafts and activities for children and teens in celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Scheduled activities are listed below.
· Tuesday, February 6 at 4:30 p.m. – Bouncy Balls at North Caddo Branch, 615 North Pine Street, Vivian
· Wednesday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m. – Lava Lamps and Chemical Reactions at Hamilton/South Caddo Branch
· Wednesday, February 7 at 4:00 p.m. – Science Sticker Silhouettes at Hosston Branch, 15478 US Hwy 71, Hosston
· Wednesday, February 7 at 4:30 p.m. – Circuit Cards at Atkins Branch
· Thursday, February 8 at 3:30 p.m. – Candy DNA Models at Cedar Grove-Line Avenue Branch
· Thursday, February 8 at 4:00 p.m. – Chromatography at North Caddo Branch
· Tuesday, February 13 at 5:00 p.m. – Coding & Digital Art Activity at West Shreveport Branch
All programs are free and open to the public. For more information and additional details on these and other Shreve Memorial Library programs, please visit www.shreve-lib.org.
About Shreve Memorial Library
Shreve Memorial Library transforms Caddo Parish lives with resources, services and support to create a better world by focusing on developing young readers, sparking imaginations, encouraging curiosity, fostering connection, and providing comfortable places. Shreve Memorial Library’s 21-branch system is maintained by a parish-wide property tax millage to support the informational, educational and recreational needs of its constituents. For more information, visit www.shreve-lib.org, and like, follow and subscribe on social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube. Dream, discover, do – Shreve Memorial Library and you!