Kansas Corn STEM has launched a new public library program, aiming to provide Kansas public libraries with new resources based on the book, “We Grow Corn! Raising Corn on a Kansas Family Farm.” The series follows the book, with six units focusing on growing corn and its many uses.
Over the past five years, Kansas Corn STEM has been providing free supplies and training to K-12 teachers. While the “We Grow Corn!” book is being used by K-12 teachers, this series was created specifically for public libraries, making it different than what students would see in the classroom.
The “We Grow Corn” book was written with the goal to educate readers about how corn is grown and what it is used for. Agriculture is the largest industry in the state of Kansas and more bushels of corn are raised than any other commodity in the state each year. This series allows Kansas community libraries to offer this book to the public for the first time. Kansas Corn STEM has provided fun activities and other resources to get the readers excited and into public libraries across the state.
Kansas libraries will be able to request kits online and will receive the items requested based on the unit(s) they plan to implement.
Each kit will include:
- Instructions on how to use the Library Series
- “We Grow Corn! Raising Corn on a Kansas Family Farm” book written by Sharon Thielen, Ph.D.
- Social Media package for advertising (found at wegrowcorn.com)
- Poster for advertising
- Supplies for each unit (varies depending on which units were selected)
Each unit includes:
- Instruction guide
- Online video(s) to expand on the topic (available at wegrowcorn.com under each unit)
- Activity supplies and instruction video
- Corn Snacks for participants
- Extension activity/TEACH-FLEX lesson
- Online Challenge (available at wegrowcorn.com)
Kansas Corn STEM is supported by Kansas corn farmers through the Kansas Corn Commission. Get more information here.
