The North Trails Public Library hopes to plant seeds in more ways than one.

Last week the West Sunbury library announced its inaugural STEAM Flower Power fundraising effort. The campaign aims to raise $2,000 for the library’s programs promoting science, technology education, art and mathematics for adult and child patrons.

STEAM is an educational approach to teaching and learning combining the disciplines that make up the acronym to encourage discussion and problem solving in students.

According to education expert STEAM education is about more than developing practical skills alone. It also helps students develop the capacity to take measured risks, become problem solvers, learn to collaborate and work through the creative process.

The money the library hopes to raise through the sale of flower, fruit and vegetable seeds will go to pay for library programs such as its Science Monday for younger children, said Kathy Kline, the library’s director.

Kline said the library also plans to schedule one-on-one technology classes for adults. Many adults are getting left behind by the constant evolution of technology to the point where a new cellphone can be a mystery beyond their power to decipher.

Kline wants to include senior citizens in the future technology familiarization sessions.

According to the Pew Research Center, 73% of people over 65 in the U.S. use the internet. The older the people are, the less likely they are to embrace the internet, social media or smartphones, but those who have adopted these technologies use them a lot and learn new skills to do so. Seniors are the fastest growing online demographic, though some remain holdouts.

Kline’s plan to include seniors in future STEAM sessions is commendable.

The fundraising campaign hopes to sprout not just flowers and fruits in area gardens but also increased proficiency with an ever-changing technology.

— EKF