STEAM Machine Unveiled Saturday At STEAM Carnival For Kids In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Library System is adding a mobile classroom to its
educational resources that will be unveiled at its East Columbia Branch Saturday. The
ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. as part of the STEAM Carnival, a free event for families focusing on science, art and technology activities that will run from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Named the STEAM Machine, this new mobile classroom will make science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education available to all students, especially those from disconnected communities by taking classes and resources to locations throughout Howard County.

The STEAM Machine is a 33-foot-long Farber diesel bus featuring a climate-controlled classroom that seats 12 students and is equipped with Wi-Fi, laptop computers, two 49” LED TVs, a sound system and video production equipment. A 55” LCD monitor and two awnings allow classes to be taught and activities conducted outside.

“Howard County Library System is coordinating with community partners to schedule STEAM Machine classes across the county. Our goal is to bring opportunities for hands-on STEAM education to students from under resourced communities and families who, for an array of reasons, are often unable to come to our branches," Tonya Aikens, president and CEO of HCLS, said.