COSI Partners with Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library to Connect the Importance of Science and Reading to Help Bridge the Digital Divide
Columbus, OH – COSI, Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) and the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library have teamed up to provide free experiences to the Central Ohio community connecting reading with science.
The partnership will kick off on September 15, 2020 at 1:30pm with a live storytime featuring Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine virtually reading the children’s book “As An Oak Tree Grows” by G. Brian Karas through COSI’s social media channels. COSI’s president and CEO, Dr. Frederic Bertley will join CML CEO Patrick Losinski to talk about the importance of reading, science, and digital literacy followed by a nature-focused science activity by Dr. Bertley. Story time with CML and COSI will continue weekly throughout the months of September and October on COSI Connects.
COSI is also launching an exciting new partnership with Mrs. DeWine and the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library. Each new COSI Learning Lunchbox, a STEM kit delivered to under-served youth across Ohio, will include a form encouraging parents to sign up their children ages birth to five to receive a free new book each month as part of the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library.
Book checkouts from CML will have special COSI Connects bookmarks included and COSI Learning Lunchboxes will have book recommendations from CML based on the theme of the Lunchbox as well as by age. Additionally, many COSI Connects daily activities will have corresponding book recommendations to encourage further learning.
“We are proud to partner with our esteemed Columbus Metropolitan Library as well as the Honorable Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine and the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library to further ensure that science content from our COSI Connects digital portal is availed to those who need it most,” said COSI President and CEO, Dr. Frederic Bertley. “Literacy around reading and STEM access and capacity are complimentary and natural allies, much like COSI, the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library. As such, we look forward to transforming young lives through this great collaboration.” “We certainly want to do what we can to help kids and parents, as children continue learning in this challenging time,” said Ohio First Lady DeWine. “The Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library is excited to partner with COSI on this project to help kids in need connect reading and hands-on science. We are all in this together. And we need partnerships like this more than ever to bring creative solutions to Ohio families.” “Science and reading go hand-in-hand,” said CML CEO Patrick Losinski. “We are so fortunate to have an institution like COSI right here in central Ohio. Together we can help fulfill CML’s vision of ‘a thriving community where wisdom prevails.”
COSI has been closed since March 13, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the closure, COSI has been engaging the community through COSI Connects, COSI’s digital doorway to online learning. COSI continues to look for innovative ways to expand learning opportunities including the recent launch of Learning Lunchboxes, kits filled with hands-on science activities funded by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and distributed throughout the county in partnership with the Children’s Hunger Alliance. The new “COSI on Wheels: Curbside” initiative, supported by a grant from the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks, brings science learning opportunities to schools, neighborhood parks, libraries, and other community locations – and especially underserved neighborhoods to help bridge the digital divide. Both programs are now being delivered statewide across Ohio through COSI’s Back-to-School Roadshow. For more information on COSI Connects visit cosi.org/connects
The partnership will kick off on September 15, 2020 at 1:30pm with a live storytime featuring Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine virtually reading the children’s book “As An Oak Tree Grows” by G. Brian Karas through COSI’s social media channels. COSI’s president and CEO, Dr. Frederic Bertley will join CML CEO Patrick Losinski to talk about the importance of reading, science, and digital literacy followed by a nature-focused science activity by Dr. Bertley. Story time with CML and COSI will continue weekly throughout the months of September and October on COSI Connects.
COSI is also launching an exciting new partnership with Mrs. DeWine and the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library. Each new COSI Learning Lunchbox, a STEM kit delivered to under-served youth across Ohio, will include a form encouraging parents to sign up their children ages birth to five to receive a free new book each month as part of the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library.
Book checkouts from CML will have special COSI Connects bookmarks included and COSI Learning Lunchboxes will have book recommendations from CML based on the theme of the Lunchbox as well as by age. Additionally, many COSI Connects daily activities will have corresponding book recommendations to encourage further learning.
“We are proud to partner with our esteemed Columbus Metropolitan Library as well as the Honorable Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine and the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library to further ensure that science content from our COSI Connects digital portal is availed to those who need it most,” said COSI President and CEO, Dr. Frederic Bertley. “Literacy around reading and STEM access and capacity are complimentary and natural allies, much like COSI, the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library. As such, we look forward to transforming young lives through this great collaboration.” “We certainly want to do what we can to help kids and parents, as children continue learning in this challenging time,” said Ohio First Lady DeWine. “The Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library is excited to partner with COSI on this project to help kids in need connect reading and hands-on science. We are all in this together. And we need partnerships like this more than ever to bring creative solutions to Ohio families.” “Science and reading go hand-in-hand,” said CML CEO Patrick Losinski. “We are so fortunate to have an institution like COSI right here in central Ohio. Together we can help fulfill CML’s vision of ‘a thriving community where wisdom prevails.”
COSI has been closed since March 13, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the closure, COSI has been engaging the community through COSI Connects, COSI’s digital doorway to online learning. COSI continues to look for innovative ways to expand learning opportunities including the recent launch of Learning Lunchboxes, kits filled with hands-on science activities funded by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and distributed throughout the county in partnership with the Children’s Hunger Alliance. The new “COSI on Wheels: Curbside” initiative, supported by a grant from the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks, brings science learning opportunities to schools, neighborhood parks, libraries, and other community locations – and especially underserved neighborhoods to help bridge the digital divide. Both programs are now being delivered statewide across Ohio through COSI’s Back-to-School Roadshow. For more information on COSI Connects visit cosi.org/connects