Monthly Archives: July 2017

Challenge-based programming is well received by multiple age groups at Skokie Public Library. These programs support 21st century learning skills like creative thinking, problem solving, and collaboration, all skills we’re eager to promote in activities for youth of a variety of ages. In various programs, we have facilitated watercraft design challenges where patrons are presented with a prompt, use limited materials to design and build their watercrafts, and then test them using a small water table. We’ve run this activity several ways, with several age ranges, and in several spaces; here’s a recap of them all, the better to give you [...]

Whether you received eclipse glasses through Space Science Institute (thanks to the generosity and support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Google, NASA, and Research Corporation) or purchased them yourself, now is the time to get outside and try them out! You will feel much more confident in answering the "are you sure these glasses work?" question with a resounding "YES!" when you have already viewed the Sun with them. While viewing the Sun, be on the lookout for sunspots - there was a great pair today! Afterwards, you can use the Solar Vision app to get a close-up, real-time view of what you just saw. With solar viewing, safety [...]

STAR_Net was in full force at the 2017 American Library Association Annual Conference (June 22-27), promoting #STEMinLib and #Eclipse2017, presenting conference sessions on STEM partnerships and daytime astronomy, and joining NASA for Hyperwall talks. (What is a Hyperwall, you ask? More on that later!) Did you attend one of our presentations or stop by the booth? If so, leave a comment and let us know what you thought. If you were unable to attend, we’ve got you covered with resources and other helpful information! Daytime Astronomy at Your Library A participant of the Daytime Astronomy session displays their Eclipse Chalk [...]