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Science

Bringing the Indoors Out

2016-07-27T15:52:25-06:00

There has been a movement towards bringing the natural world into programming more. More often than not, this involves bringing "nature" indoors in some fashion, whether by working with natural leaves, sticks, or other materials or even animals; or by doing activities which imitate nature in some way. It could be argued, however, that it is far better to take the indoors out... to move the program out "into nature" or at least to an open air outdoor setting! In June, the Kenton County (KY) Public Library debuted an outdoor environmental education program series at a local city park. By partnering with [...]

Bringing the Indoors Out2016-07-27T15:52:25-06:00

Engineering programs? As simple as playing with blocks!

2016-07-23T13:26:39-06:00

Providing programs that fit in the Engineering aspect of STEAM can seem a bit daunting. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition (c.2011) defines engineering as: “The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes, and systems.” Does that mean that in order to have an engineering program, one must teach, explain, or even fully understand those scientific and mathematical principles? Not necessarily, and that is the beauty of non-formal programming! For many, the trial and error method helps to understand the basics [...]

Engineering programs? As simple as playing with blocks!2016-07-23T13:26:39-06:00

Blooming Paper Flowers

2016-07-06T13:56:57-06:00

This summer, Skokie Public Library is offering daily after-lunch drop-in programs for youth entering grades 3-5. Every Friday is billed as “Science Friday,” and these days are reserved for simple and engaging science experiments and inquiry. We have been attracting a solid group of kids--larger audiences than we’ve traditionally seen for drop-in science activities--so we purposefully think about offering activities that will engage and interest a wide range of kids. I recently went the STEAM route with blooming paper flowers, an activity requiring few supplies and that can be hosted inside or out. For the supplies, you’ll need regular printer paper, [...]

Blooming Paper Flowers2016-07-06T13:56:57-06:00

Science on the Fourth of July

2016-06-28T08:24:03-06:00

Looking for a 4th of July activity that will make your holiday sparkle? Steve Spangler, a nationally renowned television personality, author and science teacher, has compiled a list of some of the most intense and sparkling science experiments and activities that families can do to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. These activities are sure to draw scientists from every age group by featuring different fields of science to maximize all the wonders and excitement that this national holiday has to offer. Some learning elements found in these experiments include: detecting ultraviolet light; the properties of light, cameras and colors; the properties [...]

Science on the Fourth of July2016-06-28T08:24:03-06:00

Tumbling Around With Tumblewings and Walking Along With Walkalongs

2016-06-12T23:47:07-06:00

Do you know how to make a telephone book fly? One page at a time, of course! Kids (and adults, as well) can have a great time learning about air flow, aerodynamics, creative paper engineering, and patience, with nothing more expensive or hard to acquire than an old phone book, a large piece of cardboard, a drinking straw or two, tape, and a pair of scissors.  Oh, yeah, you'll need a large room, as well. The internet offers several different patterns that can be freely printed and used to make tumblewings, also known as walkalong gliders.  Here are a few examples [...]

Tumbling Around With Tumblewings and Walking Along With Walkalongs2016-06-12T23:47:07-06:00

Three Little Pigs and the Budding Architects

2016-06-09T11:32:04-06:00

Skokie Public Library’s experiential learning space, the BOOMbox, focuses on a different STEAM theme every four months, providing tools and inspiration to learn more about a topic through hands on experimentation. While this space is intended for youth, teens, and adults, it is not developmentally appropriate for children younger than kindergarten So, in conjunction with the BOOMbox theme, we offer a STEAM program designed for preschoolers (ages 3-5 with an adult caregiver) every other month. Science Club Jr., as we shared in a previous post, aims to equip youth participants with background knowledge to understand foundational science concepts at a very [...]

Three Little Pigs and the Budding Architects2016-06-09T11:32:04-06:00

What If? to Oh Cool! The Scientific Method Put to Work Launching Stomp Rockets

2016-06-08T18:55:32-06:00

      How can  kids use the scientific method to develop better, higher flying paper rockets, or, better yet, shock the administrators on the third floor?  It's easy! For the last several years, I've been doing stomp rocket programs at my library.  Whether it's during summer reading club or in the middle of the school year, it always draws quite an good crowd.  The pre-program preparation requires a fair amount of work, but it's both fun and the results make it worth the effort involved.  Each time I do the program,  I add a bit more experimentation to the kids' activities. [...]

What If? to Oh Cool! The Scientific Method Put to Work Launching Stomp Rockets2016-06-08T18:55:32-06:00

Host a BioBlitz at the Library

2016-05-03T09:25:56-06:00

BioBlitz participant examining a planter with a magnifying glass. As part of Earth Day celebrations, the Skokie Public Library hosted a BioBlitz, inspired by the annual event of the same name coordinated by National Geographic. A BioBlitz is a survey of a defined geographical area in an attempt to inventory all the species (animals, plants, bugs, etc.) in that area in a set, short amount of time. Everything living counts and is counted in a BioBlitz, and in the end, we have a biodiversity data snapshot of a given place at a given time. National Geographic hosts 24 hour [...]

Host a BioBlitz at the Library2016-05-03T09:25:56-06:00

States of Matter: Chemistry Programming for Preschool and Early Elementary

2016-04-11T08:12:03-06:00

When you put the time into creating a dynamic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program for youth, it feels like a big bonus to be able to offer modified versions of the program to multiple ages of children. Below is a great example of a program that can be adapted for multiple age groups--and it’s recently field tested, having been facilitated here at Skokie Public Library for both preschoolers (ages 3-5) and kindergarten-2nd grade. Our goal for early childhood STEM programming--which we typically offer under the program titles “Science Club Jr.” (for preschoolers) and “Science Club” (for early elementary)--is to [...]

States of Matter: Chemistry Programming for Preschool and Early Elementary2016-04-11T08:12:03-06:00

Next Generation Science Standards Webinar

2016-02-28T11:05:59-07:00

*Please note, do not share this with members outside the STAR_Net group, thank you!, please note the guest login for those not members of the Museum Alliance* Museum Alliance Professional Development Conversation Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Time: 12 noon Pacific (3:00 pm Eastern) Leader:  Amelia Chapman Topic: Next Generation Science Standards: Don’t Be Scared! Overview: Including engineering practices in science teaching is uncharted territory for many. However, daily operations at JPL integrate science and engineering practices as habits of mind that enable cutting-edge solar system exploration. In this talk, learn the basics of the Next Generation Science Standards science and engineering practices, [...]

Next Generation Science Standards Webinar2016-02-28T11:05:59-07:00
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