York County Libraries will kick off a monthly Leap into Science program series at
10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 23 in the Lehr Park Pavilion adjacent to Dover Area Community
Library. Leap into Science is an interactive program that focuses on various STEAM (science,
technology, engineering, arts, math) topics. Local educator Ben Olewiler will lead the series
which features a new topic each month. October’s theme is “Spooky Experiments: Scary
Science” followed by “Measuring Up (and Down): Cooking Quantities” on November 20 and
“Here’s Looking at You: The Science of Light” on December 18. Participants will learn how to ask
and answer questions like scientists do. The program encourages teamwork to learn scientific
information from books, make observations and predictions, and then conduct science
experiments to investigate answers. Leap into Science is geared to children in Grades K – 5 and
their families.
Olewiler is a graduate of William Penn Senior High School and earned his undergraduate degree
in elementary education at Mount Saint Mary’s College. He completed his master's degree at
Penn State University and currently teaches fifth and sixth grade math and science at the
STEAM Academy for the School District of the City of York.
“Our STEAM programs at York County Libraries are more than just tinkering,” says York County
Libraries Youth Services Director Jaclyn Cassidy. “By participating in STEAM programs like Leap
into Science, children are engaging in hands-on experimentation and working together with
other children through the scientific process.” Leap into Science is a nationwide program from
the Franklin Institute that integrates open-ended science activities. The program series is
provided free of cost to participants, thanks to the generous support of the Anne & Philip
Glatfelter III Family Foundation and the Donley Foundation.
According to York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert, STEAM programs at York
County Libraries help students build connections between the disciplines of science,
technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. “Our libraries are a place where children and
their families can build knowledge and skills while having fun together,” says Lambert.
“Educational programs at the library can enhance children’s critical thinking, creativity,
problem-solving, and collaboration skills; all key factors for future success in school and life.”
Families interested in participating in the upcoming Leap into Science programs should register
at yorklibraries.org/events as space is limited. For those planning to attend, physical distancing
in family groups and masks are recommended for ages two and up.
York County Libraries include 13 libraries that provide the latest in print and electronic
information, best sellers, Wi-Fi, story times, book discussions and more. They offer digital story
times, over 80,000 digital library materials for loan, 80 electronic databases, and online book
discussions. All are available for free with a York County Libraries card. Community members
without a card are invited to request one at yorklibraries.org at no cost.