Written by Max Gonzalez Burdick
Edited by Sereen Suleiman, Gabrielle Bates & Lauren Kime
Hello fellow space voyagers! Are you wondering what kinds of programs military libraries offer to patrons? Well on January 14th, 2022, the Marine Corps Libraries offered an astounding program called Star Party.
Star Party is an annual program that has been held for the past seven years in the Marine Corps, which consists of make and take craft bags, one Friday evening program, giveaways, and astronomy focused books and storytimes. The evening program provides military families the opportunity to view the moon, the planets, and constellations through library-owned, high powered telescopes on base.
This program is one of several annual programs that help children increase their literacy skills through experiments in science-based concepts, making it a Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math (STREAM) program.
132 craft bags were given away at the Shadow Mountain Branch Library all week long. The bags contained: planet painting crafts (foam balls, dowels, paint, and toothpicks), mini decorative telescopes, a fun moon and planet sticker sheet, lots of space-related crafts, and a ticket for the giveaway.
We had 105 total attendees for the telescope viewing portion at the Combat Center Library. Marines loved looking at the planets Neptune and Saturn through the telescope. Stepstools were brought out to help children reach the telescope, but many enjoyed being held up by their parents.
Student volunteers readjusted the telescopes to keep the moon and planets in view while other volunteers assisted with crowd control.
Families loved the space and rocket floor puzzles. As families waited for their turn on the telescope, they watched a solar system video, which was projected on an exterior wall using a rechargeable projector.
At the craft tables, parents joined in with children to create constellations using glitter paint and colorful stamps.
Through the generosity and support of the American Friends of Our Armed Forces (AFAF), the libraries were able to put on a successful program and provide all of the materials required to execute the experiments that were performed during this program. It also allowed us to thoroughly and creatively decorate both libraries with astronauts, stars, and space rockets. Several big prizes were also given out thanks to AFAF’s sponsorship, including: a star night light projector, mini galactic slide shows, and a NASA backpack.
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