Nevada’s state engineers to cut ribbon at Carson City Library

From the Carson City Library on April 14 at 6 p.m. a group of six engineers are slated to cut the grand opening ribbon on a traveling exhibit supported by the National Science Foundation, titled Discover Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference.

Nevada State Engineer Mr. Jason King, P.E. as well as five previous Nevada State Engineers who served in the top post starting from 1967 through 2010 will join King to celebrate arrival of the engineering-focused interactive exhibit.

These include Tracy Taylor, P.E.; Hugh Ricci, P.E.; Mike Turnipseed, P.E.; Pete Morros, P.E. and Roland Westergard, P.E. Grand opening activities include exploration of the hands-on stations and opportunity to informally visit with the special guests to learn how engineering has made a difference in Nevada. The exhibit is open thru May 24 during regular library hours.

“This is a fascinating exhibit with hands-on activities for everyone. We hope the whole community will be able to see the exhibit, participate in the programs the library has planned, and recognize the important role of engineers everywhere,” said Carson City Library Director Sena Loyd. “It is an incredible honor that Nevada’s State Engineers are passionate about their profession and are willing to participate in the grand opening and share why it matters, especially with the youth.”

This new traveling exhibition for libraries introduces the role engineers play in our lives. The primary message of the exhibition is that engineers are real people who, through a creative and collaborative design process, arrive at practical solutions to help solve society’s problems in the U.S. and throughout the world. Hands-on and multimedia components allow visitors to interact with exhibit content in a dynamic way, encouraging new perspectives on engineers and engineering.

Discover Tech, scheduled to visit nine public libraries throughout the U.S., is a part of the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net). This national program is led by the Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning. Exhibit partners include the Lunar and Planetary Institute, the National Girls Collaborative Project, and the American Library Association.

The Carson City Library’s strategic plan, Level UP (!), A strategic plan for learning 2014_2019 emphasizes the library’s role as a partner in providing quality out-of-school time programs and learning opportunities. Meaningfully linked learning opportunities between the formal classroom, home and third places of learning (like the public library) leads to a skilled and qualified local workforce who can compete for higher paying jobs.

“Enriching and interactive opportunities like what will be available at the Carson City Library over the next number of weeks with Discover Tech, Engineers Make a World of Difference will make a world of difference to the community. Exhibits like these are special. You can never be sure what it is that triggers the imagination of a young person that will send them on a learning journey that leads to a promising career and brings back solutions to big problems,” said Carson City Superintendent Richard Stokes. “I can’t wait to check it out and I hope our teachers take advantage of the opportunity to encourage their students and families do the same.”

Classroom Field Trip Opportunities:

Arrange TODAY 60 tours available total between April 14 and May 24, morning and afternoon. They are going fast(!) NOTE: schedule with the youth department – 887-2244x1012 or email mjgalli@clan.lib.nv.us

After School Opportunities (NOTE: these require signups limited to first 30 – Call the youth department directly (887-2244x1012) :

APRIL 17, 1 – 3 p.m.: Engineering life size (!) Angry Birds (middle and high school students)
APRIL 18, 3 – 5 p.m.: Exploring Virtual Worlds (middle and high school students)
APRIL 23,
o 3 - 4:30 p.m.: Agent Cubes – Build a 3D Video Game (middle and high school students – limited to first 24 sign ups in youth department)
o 4:30 – 6 p.m.: Agent Sheets – Build a Video Game (middle and high school students – limited to first 24 sign ups in youth the department)
APRIL 26, 1 – 3 p.m.: Tournament Super Smash Brothers (middle and high school students)

Family Opportunities: (NOTE: these require signups limited to first 30. Call the youth department directly (887-2244x1012)
April 17, 10:15 & 10:45 a.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference Storytime (Preschool)
APRIL 18, 4 p.m.: Engineers Make a World of Difference Story Time and Craft (6 – 12 yrs)
APRIL 23, 6:00 p.m.: Engineers Make a World of Difference Bilingual Story Time and Craft (6 – 12 yrs)
April 24, 10:15 & 10:45 a.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference Storytime (Preschool)
April 25, 4:00 p.m.: Engineers Make a World of Difference Story Time and Craft (6 – 12 yrs)
May 1
o 10:15 & 10:45 a.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference Storytime (Preschool)
o 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference CATAPULT BUILDING (children)
May 2, 4:00 p.m.: Engineers Make a World of Difference Story Time and Craft (6 – 12 yrs)
May 3, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Engineers Make a World of Difference Story Game Corner (17 and under)
May 8, 10:15 & 10:45 a.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference Storytime (Preschool)
May 9
o 4:00 p.m.: Engineers Make a World of Difference Story Time and Craft (6 – 12 yrs)
o 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference MINI GOLF IN THE LIBRARY (!) Design the course and play it (family event, bring your own parent – 6 – 17 yrs old kids)
May 10, 10:00 – 12 p.m.: Engineers Make a World of Difference Lego’s and Robots (6 – 12 yrs.)
May 15, 10:15 & 10:45 a.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference Storytime (Preschool)
May 16, 3:00 – 5 p.m.: Engineers Make a World of Difference Game Center (teens only)
May 17, Noon – 2:45 p.m.: Engineers Make a World of Difference Egg Drop … build a protective case for your egg and find out what kind of “drop” your egg can withstand (!)
May 22, 10:15 & 10:45 a.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference Storytime (Preschool)
May 24 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference LAST DAY OF EXHIBIT
SPECIAL PROGRAMS:
APRIL 15, 6 p.m. - Dr. Diandra Leslie-Pelecky author of The Physics of NASCAR will be our guest speaker
Bob Boldrick Theatre.
May 14, 6:30 p.m. – Engineers Make a World of Difference Women’s Engineering Panel – Local engineers discuss women in the profession, facilitated by Carson City Library Director, Sena Loyd – discussion in exhibit area at the library
May 21, 6:30 p.m. – Engineers Make a World of Difference Minority Citizens Engineering Panel – Local minority engineers discuss global challenges that American minority engineers are helping to solve, facilitated by Maria Manis – discussion at the library’s business branch, the Business Resource Innovation Center (the B.R.I.C), located at 108 E. Proctor St.
May 23, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Engineers Make a World of Difference TREBUCHET COMPETION and EXHIBIT GRAND FINALE CELEBRATION – Mills Park

Please contact Library Director, Sena Loyd, at 775-887-2244x1018, sloyd@clan.lib.nv.us if you have questions. The exhibit will remain on view in the library through 5/24/2014 during regular library hours. The full slate of events is online at www.discovertechcarson.com.