The Evanston Public Library is the recipient of a Cognizant “Making the Future” program grant to fund a summer program aimed at sparking interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Renee Neumeier, head of Young Adult Services at the Library, says the grant will be used for a three-week Handmade Book Camp this summer in which “teens will be deeply immersed in learning how to make a book by hand, from papermaking to bookbinding and then developing content to add to the book. Teens will learn about the science of papermaking, the technologies new and old that go into the making of a book. The activities we do will help with critical-thinking skills and problem solving,” she added.
Guest artists will visit the camp to offer expertise and knowledge. The free camp will conclude with a community gallery showing of the works created. Evanston teens who might not have the resources to attend camp in the summer will be targeted through area schools.
In its fourth year now, Cognizant’s “Making the Future” education initiative, focused on inspiring in children – particularly girls and underrepresented minorities – a passion for science and technology, has awarded over $5 million to inspire children through fun and hands-on STEM learning opportunities.