PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA — This summer, the Long Beach Public Library (LBPL), in partnership with Dramatic Results, is once again offering its SEED Creative City Lab, a transformative educational program designed to ignite creativity and foster STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) exploration among middle school students. The SEED Summer Design Camp offers a unique opportunity for 7th- and 8th-grade students to immerse themselves in art, design and culture while engaging with key urban themes.

“By partnering with local artists and organizations, we're creating pathways to success and inspiring the leaders and innovators of tomorrow,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The SEED Creative City Lab embodies Long Beach's spirit of creativity and inclusivity, offering middle school students a platform to explore their passions and unlock their potential.”

The SEED program offers a week-long immersive experience where students will delve into the dynamic downtown cityscape of Long Beach. Guided by STEAM experts, participants will explore climate and sustainability, civic engagement, public safety, and urban planning and architecture themes. Through hands-on activities and collaborative projects, students will develop critical thinking skills, unleash their creativity, and gain valuable insights into potential career pathways.

The Creative City Lab will be hosted free of charge at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway), Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., offering six one-week sessions for 7th- and 8th-grade students. The session dates are as follows:

• Week 1: June 24 - June 28
• Week 2: July 8 - July 12
• Week 3: July 15 - July 19
• Week 4: July 29 - August 2
• Week 5: August 5 - August 9
• Week 6: August 12 - August 16

"We are dedicated to providing innovative educational opportunities that empower our youth and foster a lifelong love of learning," said Library Director Cathy De Leon. "The SEED Creative City Lab represents a significant investment in the future of our community by equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in an ever-changing world."

Registration for the program is currently open and will remain open until all spots are full. Parents can visit the SEED webpage to learn more about the program and register their students. Registration also available at any LBPL location or by calling 562. 570-6135. For more information, please visit lbpl.org or call 562.570.7500.

SEED is a five-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Education with supplemental funding by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. This project aims to develop communities' capacity to create and sustain high-quality, engaging and equitable STEAM programs for underrepresented students, with the long-term goal of building arts-integrated educational pathways for a more creative and diverse workforce.

Dramatic Results is a local nonprofit that designs and delivers educational programming using art, design, and culture as entryways into STEM subjects. Since 1992, they have worked to identify and close the opportunity gap–guided by a belief that access creates opportunity.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Public Library, visit lbpl.org and on social at: Facebook, X and Instagram.