Cosmic Journey Taking Off At Heights Libraries

From Heights Libraries: Where did we come from, and are we alone? From January 12 through March 9, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library invites the community to ponder these questions (and others!) in Explore Space: A Cosmic Journey, a traveling museum-style exhibition exploring the fascinating world of space and astronomy.

Funded by a STAR_Net grant in 2015, Explore Space kicks off with an opening celebration January 12 featuring hands-on space-themed activities for all ages. Programs continue through March 9 at all four of Heights Libraries’ branches.

“This is a really special opportunity for Heights Libraries and the communities of Cleveland Heights and University Heights,” says Maggie Kinney, special projects manager at Heights Libraries. “Our wonderful librarians have planned over 20 programs for the public, including space-themed storytimes, art and craft programs, book discussions, and after school STEM programs for children grades K-12.”

Heights Libraries partnered with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) on two of these programs. The first, held on January 24 and titled Understanding the Universe, features CMNH Planetarium Manager Jason Davis, who will discuss the past, present, and future of our universe. The second, on March 6, is a family program at Heights Libraries’ Coventry Village Branch exploring Starlab, the portable planetarium from the CMNH Educational Resource Center.

These program offerings aim to deepen the community’s understanding of our place in the universe and spark the curiosity of children and adults alike. Kinney explained that this intention reflects the library’s mission to open doors and minds for all members of its community.

“STEM learning holds a large interest in the Cleveland Heights and University Heights communities,” Kinney says. “With the STAR_Net grant, Heights Libraries is able to support innovative learning by providing opportunities for fun, free, and high-quality STEM programs in the library. We think people of all ages and backgrounds will find that the exhibition explores the universe, and our place in it, in a way that is understandable, inspirational, and relevant.”

In addition to these programs, Heights Libraries will host an interactive, all-ages exhibit at Lee Road’s art gallery. The exhibit is free and open to all members of the public during normal library hours.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.heightslibrary.org or call 216-932-3600. Please note that some programs require registration in advance.

Explore Space: A Cosmic Journey is part of the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net) led by the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute. Exhibit partners include the American Library Association, the Lunar Planetary Institute, and Afterschool Alliance. Explore Space is supported through a grant from the Nation Science Foundation.

Top image via Shutterstock, Flyer image via Heights Libraries