Garrard County Library Opens Kentucky Science Center’s Science in play2go Exhibit
Science in Play2Go can be found at various locations around the Commonwealth. The travelling exhibit is open to the community free of charge.
Kentucky Science Center is bringing its hands-on early childhood experience to another Kentucky library. Science in Play2Go, a miniature version of Kentucky Science Center’s signature Science in Play exhibit designed to travel around the state, will open at the Garrard County Public Library on August 10th, 2024.
Designed specifically for children ages 8 and under, Science in Play2Go is built around the twin concepts of open-ended play and “loose parts” – materials that can be reimagined in countless ways – that allow children to naturally develop 21st century learning and STEAM skills. The elements of the exhibit present in Garrard County – including engineering with big blocks in Build Your World and visiting the Shapes and Stuff Store – encourage open-ended thought, collaboration, and creativity. These fundamental skills provide a crucial foundation for future learning.
Science in Play2Go is provided free of charge to communities and participating libraries thanks to the support and partnership of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA).
Science in Play2Go’s impact is clear. Ongoing surveys of the travelling exhibit show that an average of 89% of parents and caregivers report “feeling more confident in my ability to nurture my child’s science learning” after visiting Science in Play2Go; 94% believe that Science in Play2Go helps them “think of new ways to encourage learning at home”; and 96% report it helps them “extend learning by asking my child questions and encourage new skills.”
In its first seven years of operation, Science in Play2Go welcomed almost 250,000 visitors with residencies in 30 Kentucky counties. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many county libraries were closed to the public, Science in Play2Go transitioned into Kentucky malls, with locations in Louisville’s Mall St. Matthews and Bowling Green’s Greenwood Mall. The travelling exhibit returned to public libraries in early 2022.
The travelling exhibit is open to the community during normal library hours. Field trips and group visits to Science in Play2Go are encouraged; groups, including schools and local community centers, may contact the library directly to arrange a visit. Science in Play2Go is designed to serve as a resource to the community, providing at-home activities for parents and caregivers to do science with children and tools to help facilitate early-childhood learning.
Garrard County Public Library is located at 101 Lexington Rd. in Lancaster, KY. The library’s Science in Play2Go experience is available to the public from August 10th through November 9th. For more information, please visit the Garrard County Public Library website at https://www.garrardlibrary.org/ or call 859-792-3424.
ABOUT KENTUCKY SCIENCE CENTER
Kentucky Science Center is a nonprofit educational institution that encourages people of all ages to Do Science in engaging, educational, and entertaining ways to inspire a lifetime of learning. Designated the State Science Center of Kentucky by the 2002 Kentucky General Assembly, Kentucky Science Center features interactive exhibits and engaging programs for children, families, and adults. Kentucky Science Center is committed to growing a scientifically literate community that investigates, questions, and challenges.