Library to Partner With Cayuga Nature Center for STEAM Book Club

Middle-graders are invited to explore science, technology, engineering, art and math through lively book discussions and hands-on activities during Tompkins County Public Library’s monthly STEAM Book Club.

Continuing Wednesday, February 24 with a discussion of “My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George, the STEAM Book Club will encourage area third, fourth and fifth graders to improve their understanding of current core competencies through critical thinking and book-related activities.

“My Side of the Mountain” chronicles the adventures of a young boy as he spends a year living alone in the Catskill Mountains, including his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature, and his animal friends. Cayuga Nature Center will join the book club discussion to educate participants on wild edibles and traditional medicinal plants. Following the discussion, staff from Cayuga Nature Center will lead a hands-on leaf-stamping activity.

The STEAM Book Club is free and open to all third, fourth and fifth graders. February’s program will be held from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. in the Library’s Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Copies of “My Side of the Mountain” can be picked up at the Youth Services Reference Desk.

For more information or to register, contact Kate DeVoe at (607) 272-4557 extension 277 or kdevoe@tcpl.org.

Funding for STEAM programming is provided by the Ujeni Grants for Advancing Public Education Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County and the Erin Aljoe Schlather Dedicated Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.