The L.E.A.F. Initiative is a Commonwell program to support capacity, resiliency and growth in the communities we call home.

Expanding Horizons: Enhancing STEM Education at the Lanark Highlands Public Library

75 George Street LanarkK0G 1K0

What is this project about?

Expanding Horizons: Enhancing STEM Education at the Lanark Highlands Public Library aims to bring the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to our small rural community. By establishing educational programs, the library aims to provide hands-on activities and interactive learning for children. Through this project, we hope to inspire a new generation of innovators, problem solvers, tinkerers, and lifelong learners. This project’s primary aim is to foster the inquisitiveness that comes naturally to young learners and to provide both the space and materials to ignite a passion for innovation. Public libraries are spaces dedicated to learning and the Lanark Highlands Public Library strives to provide the space and opportunities that families want in their community.

We aim to provide equipment for hands-on learning that is often unattainable to our rural families. We are eager to educate our patrons and community on how to use these resources with specialized workshops and day camps.

If successful with the L.E.A.F. grant, we see a future beyond its scope in the ability to use the programming assets attained through the grant to expand the program to reach the youth, adults, and seniors in our community.

Why is this project important to the community?

Expanding Horizons: Enhancing STEM Education at the Lanark Highlands Public Library project is vital to our community because it brings with it so many essential benefits: 1. It serves as an educational tool that may not be otherwise available to the children in our community. It will encourage the inclusion of girls in STEM, as they are disproportionally absent from these opportunities. 2. It fosters a sense of engagement in the community by gathering them to a space where everyone is welcome & everyone can come to learn. 3. It promotes continuous and lifelong learning for all ages. This project has the potential to spread beyond its grant timeline and continue into the future.