Through A Curiosity Creates Grant
STEAM Curriculum Ahead for Middle Schoolers
Feb. 17, 2015–(Louisville, KY)—The Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky (TALK), the area tech council, and Jeffersonville, IN-based Marwood have partnered with the Louisville Free Public Library to expand their STEAM curriculum reach in April of this year.
Through a Curiosity Creates grant, the partners are able to offer middle-schoolers, during this spring break, a hands-on skateboard build program at no cost. Science, technology, engineering, art, and math are all part of the programmatic efforts that the tech council supports in our area market, with Marwood, an ongoing partner. A new partner for TALK and Marwood in this STEAM push is Open Source Skateboards, based in San Diego, CA.
“Our tech council will be working on the growth of STEAM curriculum in the year ahead, as we move to build our workforce development initiatives in the state. The skateboard build is a program we believe offers pre-teens and teens a chance to learn how engineering and math can be fun, and produce an immediate result, as each student will have a working skateboard when the three-day events are complete,” said Executive Director of TALK, Dawn Marie Yankeelov.
Three skateboard build sessions, called Skate My way, will take place at the following library branches in the afternoon hours: Bon Air (April 4-6); Iroquois (April 5-7); and Southwest (April 6-8). Space is limited to 10 participants at each location and participants must agree to attend all three days of the workshop. Parental permission and sign-ups are required. Call Kate Schiavi at (502) 574-1620, or email kate.schiavi@lfpl.org to register.
“Marwood has a commitment to education and our youth, and supporting our local organizations that promote learning, leading to a stronger workforce. Our skateboard wood veneer continues to be noted in the industry, and we appreciate the opportunity to participate in our local market,” said President Jim Martin of Marwood Veneer.
For more information, visit www.talklou.com, www.marwoodveneer.com or www.LFPL.org. And, be sure to join us on social media using #SkateMyWayLFPL or #talklou.
In addition to the skateboard builds, the KMAC Museum, along with local artists, will provide free “art board” programs at all 18 library locations. Participants ages 8-14 will be introduced to special art techniques and have the opportunity to create an imagined skateboard in class. Final art pieces will be included in KMAC in the Community exhibitions at several local libraries in May. See www.LFPL.org for more information.
About TALK (Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky)
TALK stands for the Technology Association of Louisville Kentucky, our area technology council that focuses on economic development, workforce development, networking, education, advocacy, and talent identification. TALK, a 501(c)(3), is one of more than 50 tech councils in the US and Canada that are members of TECNA (Technology Councils of America). For more information, go to www.talklou.com
About Marwood
Marwood, based in Jeffersonville, IN, is a leading provider of domestic, imported and FSC-certified hardwood veneers for both the US and overseas markets, serving a variety of industries, including architectural woodwork, plywood manufacturers, and furniture manufacturers. For more information, go to www.marwoodveneer.com
About Open Source Skateboards
Open Source Skateboards is a skateboard designer and builder that also offers design/build workshops and educational kits around skateboards, covering topics ranging from woodworking to computer aided design to programming. Open Source Skateboards’ boards all have open source designs, meaning anyone can see the dimensions and materials used in the construction of their boards—giving skateboarders the opportunity to learn what specific features they like to ride best. For more information, go to www.opensourceboards.com.