From The Tribune staff reports
LEEDS — Two girl scouts from the Leeds Girl Scout Troup 30234, under the leadership of Troup Leader Liz Johnson, made a presentation to the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library last Thursday. Girl Scouts, Emma Cox and Katelyn Finn, took on a project to help them attain the Bronze Award, the highest award achievable at their particular level in the Girl Scout program.
(Photos courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
Finn and Cox presented six Tinker Boxes to the library board of directors as a project that helped them complete and earn the highest award possible to their particular level of Juniors in the Girl Scout Program.
“There are several steps to receiving this award, which includes providing a sustainable, meaningful, lasting project for a recipient in the community,” Fine stated. “We were required to complete at least 20 hours each to go into the project, including choosing the project, doing the research required to develop the project, creating the plan, implementing the plan, and presenting the final project to the recipient to complete the requirements for the award.”
Finn explained that these Tinker boxes were created to help Annette McGuire, the Activities Director with the library, in her desire to use them while working with her STEM Program at the library. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Cox said that the Tinker Boxes contain assorted hand tools such as screwdrivers, both standard and ratcheting, assorted types of wrenches, rachets and assorted types of screws, bolts, nuts, anchors, and washers.
“These tools will be used with these wooden stands that we created to allow the user to learn how to screw different types of screws and bolts,” Cox said. “We created two each of these types of Tinker Boxes, including step-by-step instructions on how to use the kits. In addition to these four Tinker Boxes, we also made one of each Tinker Box, which teaches the user how a flashlight works.”
Cox explained that these Tinker Boxes contain different types of flashlights and all the parts that go with them. In addition, instructions are included on how to put each flashlight together, including how the batteries are assembled and what has to happen to allow the batteries to have the light come on.
(Photos courtesy of Dona Bonnett)
“We want to thank Ms. Annette and all of you for allowing us to help the library in this way and hope that these Tinker Boxes will help the kids to learn about these things in a fun way,” Cox said. “This completes our presentation, and we thank you all for allowing us to be here.”
The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates Finn and Cox on their accomplishments and the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library for being the recipient of this wonderful project.
National STEM day is November 8, and the library will officially present the Tinker Boxes made by Cox and Finn for everyone to view at the library at their all-day STE event. Hands-on activities will be available for all ages to explore, and library staff will explain what STEM is. Plans are to expand their STEM program to be available for adults and tots in 2023.
STEM activities require gathering and using evidence to create knowledge or solve problems. The Leeds Jane Culbreth Library’s monthly STEM Club provides hands-on challenges to stimulate higher thinking skills through activities for children explore, play, and try new things.
For more information about this and other library programs, please visit www.LeedsLibrary.com.
