The Maine State Library now is partnering with Gizmo Garden to bring computer science, electronics, and robotics programs to public libraries throughout Maine (Bangor Daily News article).
“One of the core goals of the Maine State Library is to ensure that Maine’s underserved populations get access to high-quality programs, and our new partnership with Gizmo Garden fills that role in two ways,” says James Ritter, the Maine State Librarian. “First, it will address Maine’s gender gap in computer science, which is markedly worse than the national average, using programming that’s proven to be enjoyed as much by girls as by boys.
"Second, it will allow us to take this programming anywhere in Maine, including to small rural libraries where students may have no other exposure to computer science.”
If you'd like Gizmo Garden programs to come to your hometown library, ask your librarian to contact Christina Dorman, the Maine State Library's STEM Liaison. Also check out this Bangor Daily News article about Chris at Skidompha Library in Damaricsotta helping students create self-watering flower pots.