The Jane S. Herman Foundation primarily funds programs designed to mentor economically disadvantaged students in rural communities within Montana in science and technology.

It’s a private foundation based in Stevensville, Montana and this is the 12th year that they have sponsored the spectrUM Discovery Area that kicked off the summer reading program Wednesday at the Mineral County Library in Superior. Diandra Lewis is the spectrUM Discovery Area Outreach Coordinator and expanded on their territory. 

“We go all over the state as we just completed a trip to Glasgow for a few days for all the students to visit. And then we packed up and went to Brockton, Montana and did the same thing before coming back to UM in Missoula.” 

Originally from India, Lewis was a student at UM and worked as a Student-Educator at spectrUM Discovery Area and upon graduation, remained and is now one of almost 15 people. 

“Today is our Summer of Science event where we go out to libraries and museums for a day-trip to the Bitterroot and Mineral County’s. We’re showing how to make teeny terrariums with different soil layers, drainage, air circulation and sunlight exposure. They will take these home and will be growing micro-greens, so whatever they choose to grow from the seeds we provide here, they can eat.” 

These events are free with no registration required and Lewis said they had 35 kids and 11 adults the day before in Stevensville on the same project. Their next visit in July will be titled Tackle Mimicry where students of all ages will design fly fishing necklaces or keychains inspired by the river bugs that fish eat. First there will be a class on what these insects look like and then out come the craft supplies to make representations of them. The SpectrUM Discovery Area also has trips planned for Alberton Branch of the Mineral County Library in July and August.

Outside, the library was serving hotdogs and cookies in a slight drizzle, but it was the first day of the summer programming, so a little inclement weather wasn’t going to stop the celebration. The tent was set up on the lawn where a controversial issue is taking place and will be on the county commissioners’ agenda for 2 p.m. Thursday, June 18.

The library shares the building with the Mineral County Help Line, the Mineral County Historical Society and Museum and the MSU Extension Office. It was originally the Mineral Community Hospital which moved over 50 years ago to their current site near I-90. 

The location in question has big maple trees for shade and a well-kept lawn. The library uses this location for their summer reading program when the weather is nice. They also use it for ice cream socials, the fall pumpkin contest, guest author speaking engagements and other outdoor gatherings. 

The Historical Society has some beloved mining equipment to include a Keystone drill, hydraulic giant, small ore cart and other artifacts that were the backbone of the county over 100 years ago salvaged from mines and private collections that they would like to place in the same location. 

At least one tree would have to be removed and there would be two much smaller areas on each side of the 26 feet by 46 feet concrete pad to be used, but the library says that isn’t enough room.

    SpectrUM Discovery Area was at the Mineral County Library in Superior last week for their summer kick off series. Students and parents were invited to build teeny terrariums to take home with edible plants from the seeds they were provided. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)