Home Informative Flights – Musings of a Teacher Librarian (Nadine Bailey) Science Activities to Try Next Year Are you looking for compelling science activities to try in your library? If so, take a look at the resources and tips below for inspiration! Science in the Library AnnMarie Hurtado, the Youth Services Librarian for Central Library in Pasadena, CA, shares amazing lessons on her “Science in the Library” blog. Hurtado offers PowerPoint slideshows, videos, and reflections so you can start implementing exciting learning experiences in your library. Hurtado’s Tips for Success Prepare: Go through a trial run with your lessons before introducing them to the learning community. More Resources Science Toolbox: With only a few inexpensive materials, you can facilitate compelling projects in your library. Do you have a favorite science resource that you use in your library? Be on the look out for “36 Workshops to Get Kids Writing” this November! Author: Maureen Schlosser Like this: Like Loading... Categories: Blog Topics, STEM/STEAM, Student Engagement/ Teaching Models
Introduction to Basic Electronics, Electronic Components and Projects Learning about basic electronics and creating your own projects is a lot easier than you may think. In this tutorial, we’re going to give you a brief overview of common electronic components and explain what their functions are. You will then learn about schematic diagrams and how they are used to design and build circuits. FREE EBOOK (PDF) – Makerspace Info Bundle Before you get started, make sure your electronic workbench is properly set up. Electronic components can be small and it’s a good idea to keep everything organized. Now that you have a good workspace set up, it’s time to stock it with the proper tools and equipment. Breadboard Breadboards are an essential tool for prototyping and building temporary circuits. Digital Multimeter A multimeter is a device that’s used to measure electric current (amps), voltage (volts) and resistance (ohms). Battery Holders A battery holder is a plastic case that holds batteries from 9V to AA. Test Leads (Alligator Clips) Wire Cutter Helping 3rd Hand
Doug Johnson's Blue Skunk Blog 114 Tips to Create a STEAM Makerspace in Schools Do you ever wonder what you should include in a STEAM Makerspace in schools? Maybe you’ve received some grant funding, or maybe you have a great PTA who is willing to help you create a starter STEAM lab. Or, you might just have some extra supplies and want to know what you need to get a STEAM-focused makerspace up and running. You’re not alone! One of the most anticipated sessions at our upcoming Arts Integration and STEAM Online Conference is all about what you’ll need for a STEAM Makerspace in Schools. To help you out, we’ve gone ahead and created a free downloadable for you that contains 114 tips, ideas, resources and even lesson ideas for creating your very own STEAM Makerspace in Schools. Certainly, you could extend this list even further with more tools, technology, and resources. Getting Started These are the least expensive items you’ll need, and the ones that will get students creating the fastest. Digging Deeper These are items you’ll need to purchase. Web Resources Email Susan
Spark Imagination in Your Library: With Monthly STEM Challenges What are Monthly STEM Challenges? STEM Challenges are any project/activity that involves STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Projects can be very high tech (involving robotics, coding, computers, 3D printing, etc) or can be low tech or no tech (recyclables, paper, cardboard, pipe cleaners, straws, etc.) Students are given a basic idea to complete, materials, and rules for completing, but must figure out the how on their own. Students are following the engineering design process while completing the challenges. Why Monthly STEM Challenges? Monthly STEM Challenges is a great way to incorporate STEM into the library. Ideas for monthly STEM Challenges Snowman Stretch Students create the tallest snowman using paper, straws, tissue paper, cardboard, and any other materials you like. Sign for Snowman Stretch Candy Bridge Balloon Powered Car Students create a base for their car. Resources Pumpkin Elevator
Top School Library Blogs One look at the titles of blogs narrated by school librarians reveals the evolution of a profession that is at a pivotal point. Charged with the vital duty of promoting digital literacy, today’s librarians are daring, unique, sassy, and e-literate. We commend these school librarians for taking the time to share their ideas, experiences, and advice with the school library community. If you would like to recommend a school library blog to add to this list, please contact us to help improve this resource. The Blue Skunk Blog Written by retired library and technology director and current author and columnist Doug Johnson, this active blog takes a no-holds-barred look at libraries, and more broadly, education. The Daring Librarian Provides ideas for activities and skills-building exercises related to ed tech and libraries. Never Ending Search An official blog of the School Library Journal, a leading publication for librarians and specialists working in K-12 environments. Ms. Watch. Ms. Mrs.
28 Awesome STEM Challenges for the Elementary Classroom Ever wonder what STEM challenges to serve up to your students? Here is an amazing list of clever, unique and simple set up STEM lesson plans from other teachers. You’re going to love what your students come up with and the number of standards you can meet with these. There is a range of grade level ideas K-5 in this list. source: allabout3rdgrade.com Think you could solve this Water Puddle Evaporation puzzle? source: creativefamilyfun.net Drink up your experiment after you figure out How Hot is Hot? source: homeschoolcreations.net What tools would work best to Create an Umbrella? source: littlebinsforlittlehands.com This Dr. source: theeducatorsspinonit.com I love this Plastic Egg Tower that uses leftover easter eggs and playdough. Clever STEM Activities for Kids source: scienceafterschool.blogspot.com Upper grade level students solve Real World Problems with Stem Activities like oil spills. source: stemactivitiesforkids.com source: leftbraincraftbrain.com Quick STEM Challenges More Science for Kids
How To Solder: A Complete Beginners Guide Learning how to solder w/ proper soldering techniques is a fundamental skill every maker should master. In this tutorial, we outline the basics of soldering irons, soldering stations, types of solder, desoldering and safety tips. Whether you’re building a robot or working with Arduino, knowing how to solder will come in handy. FREE EBOOK (PDF) – Learn How To Solder (17 Page Ebook) If you were to take apart any electronic device that contains a circuit board, you’ll see the components are attached using soldering techniques. Soldering is the process of joining two or more electronic parts together by melting solder around the connection. The good thing about learning how to solder is the fact that you don’t need a lot to get started. Soldering Iron A soldering iron is a hand tool that plugs into a standard 120v AC outlet and heats up in order to melt solder around electrical connections. Soldering Station A soldering station is a more advanced version of the basic standalone soldering pen.
The Library Voice (Shannon MIller) 6 Amazing Things About TAB Classrooms Sometimes good ideas precede general acceptance. There’s no pedagogy in art education this is more true for than TAB. When Katherine Douglas, Pauline Joseph, and John Crowe pioneered this teaching method in the 1970s they weren’t trying to revolutionize the way art is taught, but the work they were doing was so powerful more and more teachers followed their example. Today, TAB, which stands for Teaching for Artistic Behavior, has never been more popular. Presentations about the approach fill up fast, social media sites dedicated to the practice have memberships in the thousands, and gurus like Ian Sands are invited to be keynote speakers at conferences. TAB has reason to be so popular. The days of one-size-fits-all projects are gone. 1. Students are responsible for their own supplies in TAB classrooms. 2. Have you seen that movie? 3. In TAB classrooms, everyone finishes at different times, without issue. 4. 5. 3D can tame distracted behavior. 6. Thinking of trying TAB?