By Melissa Gephart
Rowan Public Library

As more parents and guardians make the choice for a homeschool education, the demand for resources to shape students’ curriculum has been acknowledged by the library. The number of Rowan County students in grades 1-12 who were registered as homeschool students for the 2018/2019 school year was 2,671. The 2023/2024 school year reflected a 19-percent increase to 3,177 students. Parents already turn to the library for books, online resources and Storytime and art programs for their children.

To answer the growing demand for homeschool resources, Rowan Public Library will be offering a Homeschool STEAM class at the China Grove branch beginning on Sept. 12. These monthly programs will feature a STEAM component (science, technology, engineering, art, math) and will begin with a short lesson, followed by a hands-on activity for children ages 6-11 that follows N.C. Department of Public Instruction academic standards.

The first meeting of the Homeschool STEAM group will be Nature Detectives, a program that will provide students the opportunity to study animal skulls, insects, botanicals and other natural elements up close. Future programs will include a lesson about N.C. historical markers, and a study of holidays around the world.

These classes will be taught by Melissa Gephart, children’s librarian at RPL South (China Grove). Registration is required for these events and is reserved for ages 6-11. Siblings younger than age 6 may attend to participate at the sibling table, where age-appropriate activities will be provided. To register your homeschool student for the September class, call 704-216-7728 or email Melissa.Gephart@rowancountync.gov.

For more information about programs coming this fall to all of Rowan Public Library locations, go to www.RowanPublicLibrary.org or call 980-432-8670.

Melissa Gephart is children’s librarian at Rowan Public Library.