MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Rutherford County Library System is set to launch a new national literacy and STEM initiative, "Science Across America," designed to engage the public in scientific achievement as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.

The program, coordinated locally through the library’s Technology Engagement Center and Bookmobile services, aims to highlight the history of American scientific breakthroughs while encouraging citizens to participate in hands-on data collection. Trey Gwinn, Technology and Outreach Coordinator for the local library system, told WGNS News...

To support the initiative, the Rutherford County Library System has set a local goal of 250 documented acts of science. Mike Cleaves, Bookmobile Coordinator for the library, stated...

Residents can participate by utilizing the library's high-tech resources or by using community-science applications to log nature observations. The program is designed to bridge the gap between traditional library research and modern scientific application, emphasizing that anyone can be a scientist by simply recording their results.

For those who enjoy hands-on work and like building and designing their ideas, turning them into reality, you’re encouraged to visit the Technology Engagement Center in Murfreesboro. There, residents can design items in 3D and bring them to life using 3D printing... Cleaves said the only cost is for the materials used to print each design.

The "Science Across America" project will be a centerpiece of the library’s upcoming spring calendar, with specific demonstrations planned for Earth Day events later next month.

Science Lab Fun for Area Students: A STEAM lab is held every Wednesday at the MGL Library branch inside the Patterson Park Community Center at 3 PM for area students. STEAM is an educational acronym standing for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Another ongoing event is called Tinker Tec, which is a workshop for children ages 3 to 8, takes place every Thursday afternoon at 3:30 PM in the Technology Engagement Center in Murfreesboro.

• PODCAST: Learn more by listening to our latest podcast with the local library HERE.