STEM Unplugged

After seeing an ALSC blog post that mentioned a cool-looking unplugged coding program that used a taped grid and paper, I wanted to try a similar program at PLE to introduce the kids at ASZ to coding concepts. I chose a Mario theme for the program because all the Mario games are pretty popular at PLE and the characters and world are pretty easily recognized by most kids.

Also, there are lots of ideas and tutorials for Mario props on Pinterest. I used paper lanterns, pipe cleaners, and paper to make the Bob-ombs and the Chain Chomp. I covered the cardboard boxes with red construction paper to serve as brick walls and used cardboard for the coins and their stands. The flag is made from a cheap dowel rod and a painted Styrofoam ball. For each "playable character," I made a visor hat (or crown) from cardstock and elastic and then made a corresponding flag that attached using Velcro circles to the flag pole.

For the program, the kids partnered up, with one person being the player and the other the character. The player used the printed directional arrows and commands (start, action, stop) to create a program and then read it out loud, having the character move through the grid and interact with the different elements according to that program.

The kids really liked it, though we did run into some issues. For one, I think there were too many elements on the grid, making it too difficult. Only one person actually got their player all the way to the flag pole. The rest of the players hit the Bob-ombs (they did enjoy acting that out) or were bitten by the Chain Chomp. Because it was kind of difficult, it was also a bit time-consuming. A number of the kids got impatient and started doing other activities (video games, coloring, etc.) and lost interest. For future programs, I'm going to find ways for more kids to be involved at the same time, like having them work in teams, or having two smaller grids and having a race between two teams.

And, using the idea of the grid and the printed arrows and commands, pretty much any theme can be applied. Like Minecraft could be a cool one to use. What are some of your ideas?

- Kristin @ PLE

Passive Program Idea for Fall/Winter: Leaf Rubbing!

I recently did a craft program built around Anthony Browne’s Frida and Bear Play the Shape Game. If you haven’t seen this one, I highly recommend it. Frida and Bear alternate making pictures out of shapes, including shapes they draw and shapes they find in nature. For instance, they start with the shape in red, then draw in the rest to create a dog:

I read the book, then gave the kids shapes to base their art on. I also collected a bunch of leaves and twigs from the neighborhood behind our library so they could use those as a starting point as well.

This was my creation. Kids guesses of what it is: tree, stump, leaf. Clearly I have a future in the fine arts.

A couple of the kids made some cool stuff out of their shapes, but one of them really latched on to the nature theme and just wanted to make rubbings. He was having such a good time that he inspired my passive craft program for the Saturday after the Thanksgiving holiday.

I went for a walk over the holiday and picked up a lot of cool leaves and sticks from around my parents’ neighborhood. (Hooray for free supplies!) Then I picked out all of our naked crayons and put everything artfully on a table outside our kids’ room. I also left out an example.

I made a little sign in picmonkey, letting people know what it was all about:

If I had to change anything it would be to have some sort of direction about how to do a leaf rubbing. I guess I expected at least the caregivers to know how, but I had to show several people how to rub the crayon horizontally. By the end of the day there were leaves strewn about the table and floor, but it was an easy clean. For the minimal effort put in, this was a very satisfying passive program.

What kind of passive programs do you run? I want to hear about them!
- Angela Barratt @ COL

STEM Program Ideas

Want to run a STEM program during ASZ or on the weekend, but forgot to request a kit in time? Want to include a STEM activity in storytime? Here's a STEM resource that I've added to the Kids, Tweens, and Teen pages: STEM In Libraries. I do love that you can filter for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or just look at all the ideas they offer.

What project do you want to try at your location? Let us know in the comments by November 1st , don't forget to include your name and location in your comment, and get a prize from the treasure chest at the next youth meeting!

Programming Resource

Have you heard of programminglibrarian.org? It's a great resource for programming ideas for everyone from kids through older adults. You can filter your searches, or browse ideas limiting by cost (there are free program ideas!), library type, topic and program type. If, for some reason, you do not have a backup program idea for SRP, you should definitely check out this site, and find a backup program idea!

Check it out, and let us know if there are any cool programs you'd like to do at your library in the comments!

Origami Boxes

Paper crafts are one of my favorite things to do  with my kids at home. You can create this box and lid  to be a card that opens out when the lid is removed. Or you can glue or hot glue the flaps to the inside of the box and have a nice sturdy little box. The box template can be printed out on 8.5x11 paper and the box itself measures about 2 inches tall when it's completed.

 I've included the instructions for both the box and the box lid above the templates for cutting out. The nice thing about that is  you can print these out and the teens or (elementary age kids)  have the instructions with pictures right in front of them so they can follow along as you all do the craft together or try it on their own. I recommend using cardstock and not regular paper. It makes for a sturdier project.

Once the box is done, they can decorate it as they like. I used heavy card stock and paper flowers in the photos you see here. But the possibilities are endless.

This could make a great card or gift  for Mother's Day or even Father's day (with the right paper choices--comic book pages glued onto cardstock?)

For anyone who replies in the comments section, I'll create a box similar to the one pictured (but with different themes and paper) so you have a sample of your own. Don't forget to put your name and location! I'll get your little boxes to you at the next Youth Services Meeting in March. 

-Michelle Johnson

If you want to conserve paper and print out the box and lid on the same page, here’s the template for that. It’s a slightly smaller box (2 inches instead of 2 ½ inches) but is a nice alternative when doing this for a larger group.

Amazing Art Resources!

If you are looking for ideas for art programs that you might want to do at your location, either for March programming or for any general time, check out the Art Lab books! They are available as ebooks (some through Hoopla!) and as physical books. What I especially like is that most of them feature 52 lessons, so you could, in theory, do a unique program every week for an entire year. Check them out!

Share your ideas for incorporating art into your library programs in the comments!

Pokemon Go!

Pokemon Go! The latest craze that is actually increasing foot traffic in libraries and creating a simple opportunity for us to interact with our young and mature customers. You’ll be very surprise how talkative teenagers can be if you ask them if they are playing Pokemon Go.

Very informative articles to get you excited about what Pokemon Go can do for us (the second is a must read!):
How Pokemon Go can lure more customers to your local business via Forbes
Everything librarians need to know about Pokemon Go via Galaxybookjockey

Below are the two displays we have at Stella Link Library. Stella Link is lucky to have a GYM located virtually in the library. Some of you may have a GYM at your location or even better…a POKESTOP.

We wanted Pokemon Go players to feel welcomed and invited to play the game inside our library. This game is pulling in customers that normally do not step inside our building and this is a perfect opportunity to change their perspective of what today’s library has to offer.

As summer ends and the school year begin, I can see great opportunities for Pokemon Go as a program for After School Zone, etc. I hope in future updates of the Pokemon Go app there will be features for exchanging items/pokemons.
- Nhu @ STE

P.S. from the YS Team: The first five people to comment with ideas about using Pokemon Go at their library will get a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child standup.