John Stam is Part of Dordt College Engineering Team Creating Kits for Local Library

2012 Mar 6

Dordt College engineering students are helping to create electronics kits for the local public library in Sioux Center, Iowa, and local student John Stam of Oskaloosa, Iowa, is helping put together the kits that will give children hands-on electronics experience. Stam is a sophomore majoring in engineering. "I think the idea of a library having electical kits for a wide range of ages of students is an excellent idea," said Stam. "I wish I had the opportunity to check out kits like this from the library when I was in grade school and high school, so I want to help provide this opportunity for others for learning and having fun with electrical circuits and devices."

The library patrons will benefit from a $2,000 grant recently awarded to the library by the Chicago section of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) to help get local children excited about electronics.

The grant will go toward the purchase of supplies for boxes of electronics equipment that can be checked out from the library. Dordt students will put together beginner, intermediate, and advanced kits. They'll also provide guide books for each level that will give children some ideas for what to do the items in the boxes. A beginner box might include such things as a small DC motor, batteries, and wires. The students plan to have the kits ready for use by the middle of May.

Although the library will administer the program, Dordt students will do some yearly upkeep to the kits, replacing and maybe repairing parts.

To learn more about Dordt College and the engineering program, visit www.dordt.edu.