Combining Learning and Play at Beale Memorial Library

This summer, the Beale Memorial Library in Bakersfield is a hub of creativity and learning, thanks to an interactive wind tube exhibit. The Kern County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with the library, is hosting this exhibit every Monday from 3-4 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. until the end of July.

The wind tube exhibit encourages children and their families to create their own flying inventions and test them in a wind tube. The goal is to engage them in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities. Zenaida Gallardo, math coordinator at KCSOS calls it a fun way to learn science and math concepts.

“They put it through the wind tube, and then they think about how they can adjust and make sure the weight is just right, and the creation is just right. It definitely has science and math involved in it,” she said.

One of the most significant aspects of this exhibit is its ability to bring families together, Gallardo explained. That’s what sets this program apart from STEAM activities in classroom.

“We’ve seen grandparents, parents, and their children working together. It becomes a family event, which is the highlight of our partnership with the library,” she said.

Library Associate Adriana Ruvalcaba agrees, saying the wind tube exhibit has been a hit among all the library’s patrons.

“It’s wonderful to see not just children but whole families participating,” she said. “Parents are interacting and figuring things out alongside their kids. It’s awesome to see their minds at work and witness those ‘aha’ moments.”

The exhibit has also drawn new visitors to the library. Ruvalcaba says many families who come for the wind tube exhibit discover other library programs and participate in them, including the Summer Reading Challenge, where children can earn free books and incentives by reading for 10 hours.

Funding for the exhibit comes from the Count, Play, Explore (CPE) grant, formerly the CA Early Math Initiative. According to the CPE website, it is a statewide effort to promote positive and confident math and science outcomes among children from birth to 3rd grade. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of early math and science and help support children’s educational development.

The exhibit, which started in June, is drawing to a close next week. Gallardo reflects on its success, praising the partnership with the library and hoping to team up again for more events during the school year and next summer.

“It’s been a huge success, and we’ve even considered bringing this program to other libraries in our county,” Gallardo said.

“Can we have this in Delano too, please?” said Queen R., a caregiver from Delano who brought her almost three-year-old, Nicolette, to the exhibit.

Queen R. came to the library for a different event, saw the activity going on at the exhibit, and decided to check it out. She said the library also provides a safe, educational environment for children and families.

“It’s amazing! [Nicolette’s] seeing how wind works with objects and she’s having a lot of fun,” she said. “I don’t know if she’s going to want to leave this event to go to the other event – she’s having a ball!”

The wind tube exhibit is also an opportunity for children to learn and develop new skills. Ruvalcaba says many visitors have taken home instructions to recreate the wind tubes themselves at home with their families.

“We’ve seen babies who initially don’t know how to participate eventually figure it out,” she said. “We’re watching these skills develop in real time.”

With only a few days left of this summer program, now is the perfect time to visit the Beale Memorial Library and experience the wind tube exhibit. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, this interactive exhibit combines STEAM learning with play.