Community Crates

The Community Crates Project is designed to bring more Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) learning to Yellowstone County. Six STEAM themed crates (Coding, Robotics, Engineering, Audio/Visual, Science, and Astronomy) will be available for check out to schools and community organizations starting in the Fall of 2017. Each crate is full of technology and equipment as well as a set of activities designed around the specific equipment in each crate. This program is for all ages, and each crate tries to have equipment and technology for learners from Kindergarten through adult. The Community Crates Project is made possible through a generous donation from Phillips 66.

If you are interested in checking out a crate, or learning more about this program, please email Cody in the TECH Lab.
star chart

The Astronomy Crate

Programs & contents:

  • Orion StarBlast Astro Reflector Telescope
  • Extra eye pieces
  • Cell phone mount/viewer
  • iPod Touch for mount
  • Moon filter
  • Night Flashlight
  • Books
  1. Guide to the Stars
  2. Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
  3. The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
  4. The Everything Kids' Astronomy Book
  5. Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations
  6. 50 Things to See with a Small Telescope


The Audio/Visual Crate

Programs & contents:

  • 2 DSLR cameras
  • Video Camera
  • Tripods
  • Green Screen kit
  • iPad with Stop Motion and Green Screen apps


Videographer
coding

The Coding Crate

Programs & contents:

  • Ozobots
  • Makey-Makey kits
  • Arduinos
  • Raspberry Pi computers
  • Various sensors for Raspberry Pi
  • LittleBits
  • Bloxels


The Engineering Crate

Programs & contents:

  • K'nex Roller Coaster kit
  • K'nex Renewable Energy kit
  • Make Block robots
  • Hummingbird robotics kit
  • 3-D Printing
  • Parts and guides from TeacherGeek


roller coaster
vex

The Robotics Crate

Programs & contents:

  • LEGO Robotics
  • Hummingbird robotics kit
  • Drones
  • BB-8 Sphero
  • Ollies


***NEW*** 

LEGO Robotics Crate

A dedicated crate just for LEGO Robotics:

  • 4 LEGO Robotics Kits, capable of making 4 complete robots
  • 4 books on building, programming, and teaching LEGO Robotics

This crate is our newest addition to the Community Crates program, and was made possible through a generous donation by the Verizon Foundation. Thank you!

lego crane robot
verizon
fuel cell car

The Science Crate

Programs & contents:

  • 2 Microscopes
  • Chemistry set
  • Fossil Collection
  • Crystal and Rock kit
  • Volcano and Earthquake kit
  • Equipment (scale, thermometer, slides etc.)
  • Safety Equipment (gloves, aprons, goggles)


Phillips-66-Logo

Many thanks to Phillips 66 for the generous grant to the library that created these STEAM crates.