James Webb Space Telescope Launch Events Reach Over 230 Libraries

NASA@ My Library and Space Telescope Science Institute Support Library Events All Over the Country

In December, 2021, libraries across the United States celebrated the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) by hosting events and participating in JWST reading challenges and launch activities.

Science Activation's NASA@ My Library project partnered with Beanstack, a reading and activities challenge app for patrons, to create the "Look Up! Explore our Universe JWST Beanstack Challenge". Participating library patrons logged over two million minutes and nearly one thousand books as part of the challenge. Readers also completed nearly three thousand activity badges!

NASA's Universe of Learning, the Space Telescope Science Institute, and NASA reported that 131 libraries hosted JWST Events ranging from subject matter expert talks to launch parties and hands-on activities through the Webb Community Events initiative.

NASA@ My Library is a STEM education initiative created to increase and enhance STEAM learning opportunities for library patrons throughout the nation, including geographic areas and populations currently underrepresented in STEAM education. Learn more: https://science.nasa.gov/science-activation-team/nasa-at-my-library

NASA's Universe of Learning is also a Science Activation project team that provides resources and experiences to enable educators to engage their audiences in the science, the story, and the adventure of NASA’s scientific explorations of the Universe. Learn more: https://universe-of-learning.org/

(Science Activation's NASA@ My Library Award No. NNX16AE30A and NASA Universe of Learning Award No. NNX16AC65A)