Project Discovery

Overview: In August of 1492 Christopher Columbus embarked on the first of four voyages
across the Atlantic Ocean. He had a radical new idea to reach the East Indies by sailing
westward. Even though he failed to reach the Indies his voyage led to the colonization of
the new world, and opened up the way for other nations to establish outposts, which
precipitated the establishment of the Thirteen Colonies, the forbearers of the United States
of America. The program that I am planning will be entitled Project Discovery. An accurate
map was essential to Columbus voyage and the program that I present will highlight
cartography. To accomplish this voyage Columbus and his crew also needed a working
knowledge of weather, and geography. The program will last for one hour in which children
will engage in hands on activities related to map-making, environmental, and earth science.
Students will engage in map-making, and learn about environmental science, and
conservation.
Target Audience: The target audience for this program will be children in grades 3-6. Since
the program will strive to cover many areas related to science, the program should be
conducted in four one-hour sessions. Max 20
Purpose: The purpose of this program is to encourage exploration and discovery among
young people by means of cartography. This program will also emphasize spatial thinking
and the importance of careers in geographic science. Spatial thinking is one of the most
important skills that students can develop as they learn geography, Earth, and
environmental sciences. It also deepens and gives a more complete understanding of history
and is linked to success in math and science. Global aware
Community Partners: One possible partner for this program would be students enrolled in
programs that focus on GIS, cartography and remote sensing at the University of Maryland.
Another possible partner for this program would be NASA. This programs discovery theme
would be a nice tie in with the Mars Rover program which focuses on science and space
exploration.
Mission: The mission of the Prince Georges County Memorial Library System is to provide
materials and information for study and personal enrichment. The library system also
encourages lifelong learning by means of professional guidance through and programs. In
recent years the library system has worked in conjunction with the school system to support
more STEM programming. This program would help the library in its goal of providing more
high-quality STEM programs.
Steps:

Select a date for the program that does not interfere with other programs
Recruit university students/instructors regarding program
Set-up specific activities to be involved in program and train instructors
Start registration for the program/ Note: Students must participate in all sessions.
Max attendance 20
Contact PR to advertise in local media/social media
The day of set up materials, monitor activities and events
Follow up with participants to advise them of other library events

Evaluation: Since the program does not have set deliverables, success can be measured by
number of participants and integration of the librarys message. The program will be
considered a success if the program has full participation. In addition, the library will be able
to promote other science based programs, as well as, its databases and other resources.

Contact Hillcrest Heights Account

Telephone [Company Phone]
[Company E-mail]
Email
Website Pgcmls.info

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STEM @ YOUR LIBRARY

Project Discovery
Hyattsville, MD,

In commemoration of Columbus first voyage across the

Atlantic students in grades 3-6 are invited to come and explore cartography at the
Hillcrest Heights Branch library. There will be four one-hour sessions in which
students will be able to make maps using the latest computer software and global
positioning systems (GPS). In addition, other sessions will include activities based on
environmental science and geography.
Registration is required

Prince George's County Memorial Library System provides materials and information
for study and personal enrichment. We offer strategies for lifelong learning through
access to varied media and professional guidance by our staff. We focus all
resources on the needs of our customers.To learn more, visit www.pgcmls.info and
follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Hillcrest Heights
Account at [Company Phone] or email at [Company E-mail].
We have already implemented a version of this program at our library. We have
partnered with some organization in our community to do programs that involve
environmental science.