March into STEM

During the month of March we will offer 5 science and technology workshops.
Advance registration - now at the Reference desk or call 978-468-5577.

Computer Aided Design Workshop
with Jeffrey Walsh on Saturday, March 12

For ages 10-15, sign up for the
10:30 AM to noon workshop session.

(The adults or age 16 and up workshop 
session has been cancelled.)

Before attending, please sign-up for a Tinkercad account at tinkercad.com. Participants must bring their own 
laptop to this workshop.

Limited space. Registration required. 
Sign-up at the Reference desk on the 2nd floor, or call the Library at 978-46-5577.

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Make Your Own Video Game with the Rhode Island Computer Museum
on Saturday, March 26

This is a chance to put down your controllers and learn Scratch, the interactive software developed by MIT. Scratch is a computer program developed to teach software coding and allows you to create your own video game sample. The workshop aims to explain how early video games were made and give workshop participants new skills to develop their own games. The program will include an exhibit on “Historic Video Games”. The exhibit aims to explain the impact of Early Video Games.

Two hour session, for ages 11 & up.

Limited space. Registration required. 

Sign-up at the Reference desk on the 2nd floor, or call the Library at 978-46-5577.

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Coding with Minecraft with the Rhode Island Computer Museum on Saturday, March 26

Calling all crafters! Learn how to summon lightning bolts with a bow and arrow or build giant rainbows in the Minecraft world with code! Spawn farm animals or monsters instantly and have fun "modding" your world. This workshop introduces coding concepts by showing how to build or change (e.g. mod) the game using the Javascript or Python programming language. The set-up is easy for beginners, challenging for experienced gamers and fun for everyone. 

Two hour session, for ages 11 & up.

Limited space. Registration required. Sign-up at the Reference desk on the 2nd floor, or call the Library at 978-46-5577.

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Star Party with the North Shore
Astronomy Club on Thursday, March 31

The North Shore Astronomy Club will give a short astronomy presentation in our large meeting room, followed by astronomy-related crafts & games, and observation of the night sky through club telescopes on the field behind the library. The evening will also feature the library's new lending telescope, now open for reservations. 

This program is for all ages, though best for elementary school age to adult.

Registration is not required for this event.

Library Lending Telescope Program Brochure.

Teen Summer Programs 2015

Summer
Workshops
for Teens

Registration for the Library's teen summer programs begins May 26th. Sign up at our Reference desk, or call us at: 978-468-5577. All programs are free of charge. This summer's programs are funded by the Science is Everywhere grant we received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and through the generous assistance from the Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library.

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 M.A.G.E. CLUB at the LIBRARY 

(Minecraft & Assorted Games for Everyone)

On Tuesdays, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM: 
June 23 to Sept. 1

M.A.G.E. is run by teens, for all ages who play well with others. Bring your own laptop and have an active Minecraft

membership. Beginners and advance players welcome. 

One Rule: No griefing ever.

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 June 

Teen Think Tank Meeting

For ages 11 to 18. Thursday, June 11, 6:30 to 7:55 PM

The Teen Think Tank is the Library’s teen advisory board. They work with the Young Adult Librarian to improve library collections, and to create programs and services designed specifically for teens. Come share your bright ideas! We meet 11 times a year.  Earn your volunteer service hours. 

To participate, stop by the library and talk with Kim Claire,YA Librarian, or send an email stating your interest to: kclaire@mvlc.org, or call 978-468-5577 x14.

Settlers of Catan

For all ages. 
Wednesday, June 17, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Led by expert gamer Tim, and friends. Come to learn how to play or just play. Bring a game if you have one. No registration required.

CAD1 (Computer Aided Design) 
with Jeffrey Walsh

For ages 11 to 15. Saturday, June 20, 10:30 to Noon

An introduction to the world of three-dimensional design using a free program called Tinkercad. Learn how to use Tinkercad and build your first 3-D object. Participants must bring their own laptop for this workshop.

Catapults with Jeffrey Walsh

For ages 11 to 15. Thursday, June 25, 3:30 to 5:30 PM 

Create a mini, wooden catapult. The first half of the workshop will be spent crafting the catapult. In the second half you will be testing your catapult and improving your design.

Bicycle Mechanics with Jeffrey Walsh

For ages 11 to 19. Saturday, June 27, 10:30 to noon

Discover simple tricks to keep your bicycle in tip top shape. You will learn how to fix a flat tire, & the best ways to avoid a flat tire in the first place. Bring your bike to the workshop.

 

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 July 

Youth Book Sale and Two Movies

Wednesday, July 1, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Stock up for the summer with excellent bargains at this one-day-only youth book sale, organized by the Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Library. 

Two movies will be shown: 

Toy Story,  1:00 PM - 2:20 PM, (1995, rated G)

Big Hero 6, 3:30 PM - 5:15 PM (2014, rated PG)

Motion Photography with Toni Carolina

For ages 11 to 18. This is a 2-part workshop:

1st part meets Thursday, July 9, 3:00 to 4:30 PM
2nd part meets Wednesday, July 29, 3:00 to 4:00 PM

On July 9, bring a camera, a tripod or 2 bags of beans (to steady your shots), and learn how to capture motion in your photos. Return July 29, with prints of your captured motion shots to create an exhibit in the Young Adult area.

Teen Think Tank shopping trip to Barnes &Noble

Saturday, July, (day TBD), 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Each participant will have a budget to choose books for the library’s collections.  To participate you must have attended at least one previous Teen Think Tank meeting. To attend, call Kim Claire at 978-468-5577 x14. Parent/guardian permission forms are due by June 30.

Airplane Workshop with Jeffrey Walsh

For ages 11 to 15. Thursday, July 16, 
3:00 to 5:00 PM 

Build an elastic powered airplane from balsa wood and paper. How long can you keep it in the air? Learn how adjusting different parts can change the way it flies. Find out what is actually happening when an airplane takes flight.

Walk Along Glider Workshop with Phil Rossoni

Thursday, July 23,  2 sessions:

Ages  9 to 11,  at 2:00 to 3:00 PM

Ages 12 to 15, at 3:30 to 4:30 PM    

Build and pilot a tumblewing paper airplane. There will be duration competitions to hone your flying skills. Experiment with wing loading and how an airplane is trimmed for optimum gliding. You will have opportunities to fly gliders of varying size and weight.

Metamorphosis-Pastel Painting with Greg Maichack

For ages 11 to adult. Thursday, July 23, 6:00 to 8:00 PM 

Metamorphosize! Become an artist in this hands-on pastel painting workshop. Greg will incorporate fabulous reference photos of insects from his trip to Montreal’s Insectarium. Professional grade pastels, paper, and materials are included.  

Rockets Workshop with Jeffrey Walsh

For ages 11 to 15.  Thursday, July 30, 2:30 to 5:00 PM

Create your very own chrome rocket that can soar up to 800 feet in the air. Once the rockets have been built, you will take them outside to the field and prepare for take off.

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 August 

Teen Think Tank Meeting

Thursday, August 6, 6:30 PM to 7:55 PM

Come share your bright ideas! We meet 11 times a year on the first Thursday of the month.  To participate, contact Kim Claire at kclaire@mvlc.org or call 978-468-5577 x14.

Boston Museum of Science STARLAB: 
One Sky, Many Stories:  For ages 5 to 15

Three sessions on Thursday, August 13, at: 
2:30 PM, 3:15 PM and 4:00 PM. 

People around the world have interpreted the night sky for centuries, creating a rich collection of constellations and star stories. Within a portable planetarium, you will tour the solar system and beyond while learning useful tips to navigate the evening sky and hearing different cultural explanations for the cosmos. Registration for this program will be in the Children’s Room.

North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club Star Party

Best for ages 10 to adult. 

Thursday, August 20, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

A short astronomy program inside, followed by observation of the night sky through club telescopes on the field behind the library. If there is rain or heavy cloud cover, the back-up date is Tuesday, August 25.

Kickoff for Science is Everywhere

Please join us for the kick off of

 our Science is Everywhere grant!

Stop by the Library to pick up 

the brochure of our STEM programs. 

Registration for all winter programs, 

January through March, is now available 

at the Reference desk.

During the first three weeks of December, when you pick up a STEM Workshops brochure and register for your favorites, take some time to visit the many display stations (some are interactive) set up throughout the library.

Displays will be up through December 20th, and feature different aspects of STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math). We have items on loan from: Audubon (animals); Goddard Technologies (examples of 3-D printing); Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School (microscopes and scales); Jake Davis (Tesla coil and trebuchets); Jan Dempsey (beehive); the LEGO Club; iRobot; and others. I hope you will be able to stop by and see them.

While you are here, play WHIZard Bingo. Pick any 5 squares in the game, write your answers, then drop your finished Bingo in the black box in the Young Adult area for a chance at a prize.

You have until Saturday, January 3rd, to enter your WHIZard Bingo. 

Save the Dates: STEM Program Sneak Preview

The Hamilton-Wenham Library has won an important grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

The $7,500 grant entitled Science is Everywhere – It’s Hands-On at Your Library!  will help the library offer Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) programs for children and teens who are in grades 3-8. Local teachers, Jeffrey Walsh and Bryan Sheckells, will be offering a wide variety of programs at the library including CAD workshops (utilizing the library’s 3-D printer), bicycle mechanics, rockets, and electronics.The federal funds will also be used to purchase new science books and DVDs for the library’s collection.

Plans are underway for a grant Kick-off Week in December. Here is your sneak preview of the year long free STEM-related workshops we have planned for Science Is Everywhere - It's Hands-On At Your Library!  A brochure of all programs will be ready the first week of December.

December 2014

December 1 through December 13: A two week grant kickoff for Science Is Everywhere - It's Hands-On At Your Library!  During these two weeks you will be able to sign-up for the Winter and Spring STEM programs; pick up a program brochure; check out our newly purchased STEM-related videos and books; play a quiz game to win a prize; see displays of STEM creations distributed around the library.

January 2015

Wednesday, January 7, 3:30 to 5:00 PM - Electronics with Jeffrey Walsh - for grades 5 to 8.  An introduction to electronics. Using Tronix Lab kits, you will have a hands-on opportunity to learn about resistors, LEDs, simple wiring, switches, and more.

Saturday, January 24, 1:30 to 3:30 PM  RESCHEDULED for: Wednesday, February 4, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM - Rhode Island Computer Museum's Robots on the Run Workshop - for grades 4 to 8.  Learn about the interactive “Arduino” software and create your own sample “Robot.” This workshop will explain basic circuits and will include instruction on how to build a simple robot. You will learn programmable electronics, on how to make lights blink, motors run, sounds and a lot more.

February 2015

Wednesday, February 4, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM - Rhode Island Computer Museum's Robots on the Run Workshop - for grades 4 to 8.  Learn about the interactive “Arduino” software and create your own sample “Robot.” This workshop will explain basic circuits and will include instruction on how to build a simple robot. You will learn programmable electronics, on how to make lights blink, motors run, sounds and a lot more.

Wednesday, February 18, 2:00 to 3:00 PM - Making Roller Coasters with Bryan Sheckells - for grades 3 to 5. What goes up, must come down...the other side of the roller coaster. Come explore potential and kinetic energy along with the design process as we design and build our own roller coasters

March 2015

Wednesday, March 4, 3:30 to 5:00 PM - CAD 1 with Jeffrey Walsh - for grades 5 to 8.  What is 3-D design,why it's important, and how is it used in our everyday life.This is an introductory workshop to the world of three-dimensional design using a free design program (either Google Sketch-Up or Tinkercad. Learn how to use a design program to build your first 3-D object. Participants must bring their own laptop for this workshop with either Tinkercad or Google Sketch-Up already downloaded.


Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Robots Are People, Too  - for teens & adults.  Recently, technologies like self-driving cars, drones, and artificial intelligence have appeared frequently in the news and reports about the future of jobs. Boston attorney John Frank Weaver, contributing writer for Slate, and author of Robots are People, Too, will discuss some of the legal challenges these developments introduce and propose changes to our laws and public policies to address them.


Pi Day! Saturday, March 14,  1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Rhode Island Computer Museum's Sonic Pi Synthesizer Workshop - for grades 4 to 9. Interested in building a synthesizer & unmasking the mystery of making computer music? Sonic Pi is a programming environment that allows you to make sound with the Raspberry Pi, a tiny credit-card-sized computer, developed in the United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It runs a variant of Debian Linux known as Raspian, and it uses Python and Scratch as entry-level programming environments. The Raspberry Pi computer is a miniature ARM (phone)-based PC which can do many things a desktop PC can do like word processing, games, playing back high-definition video and making MIDI music.

Wednesday, March 18, 3:30 to 5:00 PM - CAD 2 with Jeffrey Walsh - for grades 5 to 8.  A more advanced 3-D design workshop.  In this workshop you will combine what was learned in CAD 1 with new features to create more advanced parts, which could be printed on the library's 3-D printer. Participants must bring their own laptop for this workshop.

April 2015

Wednesday, April 8, 3:30 to 4:30 PM - Physical/Chemical Reactions Workshop with Bryan Sheckells - for grades 3 to 5.  Solids, liquids, and gases, oh my! Explore compounds and chemical reactions as we find out how amazing chemistry can be using common household materials.

Tuesday, April 21, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM - Boston Museum of Science: Super-Cold Science Program - for grades K and up.  Amazing things happen when matter changes temperature. With the help of a Museum educator and an intensely cold liquid, participants will experience the remarkable changes in size, form, and behavior that occur when a variety of objects and substances are super-cooled.

Wednesday, April 22, 2:00 to 3:00 PM - Rocket Launchers Workshop with Bryan Sheckells - for grades 3 to 5.  3, 2, 1... Rockets! Explore the different types of thrust that can be used to create rockets of various sizes and shapes using materials that can be found around the house.

May 2015

Saturday, May 2, 10:30 AM to Noon - Bicycle Mechanics with Jeffrey Walsh - for grades 4 to 9.  Learn simple tricks to keep your bicycle in tip top shape.You will learn step by step how to fix a flat tire, and the best ways to avoid getting a flat in the first place. Bring your own bike to the workshop.

Wednesday, May 13, 3:30 to 4:30 PM - Slimy Polymers Concoctions Workshop with Bryan Sheckells, for grades 3 to 5. Squelch, splat, flop...polymers! With the right combination of things from around the house, you can create some materials with unique properties to amaze your senses! Join us for the chemistry fun!

June 2015

Saturday, June 20, 10:30 AM to Noon - CAD 1 with Jeffrey Walsh - for grades 5 to 8.  What is 3-D design,why it's important, and how is it used in our everyday life. This is an introductory workshop to the world of three-dimensional design using a free design program (either Google Sketch-Up or Tinkercad. Learn how to use a design program to build your first 3-D object. Participants must bring their own laptop for this workshop with Tinkercad or Google Sketch-Up already downloaded.

Thursday, June 25, 3:30 to 5:30 PM - Catapults Workshop with Jeffrey Walsh - for ages 11 to 15.  Have you ever wanted to create your very own catapult? If so, then this is the workshop for you. In this workshop you will create a mini, wooden catapult. The first half of the workshop will be spent creating the catapult. In the second half you will be testing the catapult and improving your design.

July 2015

Thursday, July 9, 3:00 to 4:00 PM - Motion Photography Workshop with Toni Carolina - for ages 11 to 16. Learn how to capture motion in your photographs, then come back three weeks later on Wednesday, July 29 at 3:00 PM, with prints of your captured motion shots and create a photography exhibit in the Young Adult area.

Friday, July 10, It's Nikola Tesla Day!

Thursday, July 16, 3:00 to 5:00 PM - Airplane Workshop with Jeffrey Walsh - for ages 11 to 15. Build an elastic powered airplane made from balsa wood and paper. When your airplane is completed, compete with other workshop participants to see how long you can keep your airplane in the air. Learn how adjusting different parts can change the way it flies, and find out what is actually happening when an airplane takes flight.

Thursday, July 23,  Walk Along Glider Workshop with Phil Rossoni
Two sessions: for ages 9-11: 2:00 to 3:00 PM, and for ages 12-15: 3:30 to 4:30 PM .  Workshop participants will learn how to build and pilot a tumblewing paper airplane. There will be duration competitions to hone your flying skills. Learn and experiment with wing loading and how an airplane is trimmed for optimum gliding flight. Participants will have opportunities to fly gliders of varying size and weight.

Thursday, July 23, 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Metamorphosis: A Pastel Painting Workshop with Gregory Maichack - for ages 11- adult.  Metamorphosize! Become an artist in this hands-on pastel painting workshop. Greg will incorporate fabulous reference photos of insects from a personal trip to Montreal’s Insectarium. All of the professional grade pastels, paper and materials are included.

Thursday, July 30, 2:30 to 5:00 PM, Rockets Workshop with Jeffrey Walsh - for ages 11-15. Create your very own chrome rocket that can soar up to 800 feet in the air. Once the rockets have been built, you will take them outside to the field and prepare for take off.

August 2015

Thursday, August 6, Time TBD - Boston Museum of Science STARLAB Portable Planetarium Show: One Sky, Many Stories - Three sessions: for Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8.

Date TBD - North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club Star Party Program and Telescope Viewing - for ages 10 to adult.  An astronomy program inside our meeting room, followed by observation of the night sky through club telescopes on the field behind the library.

Summer Program Highlights 2014

Summer vacation is nearly over, and the spectacular line up of teen summer programs has come to end. We had a drawing workshop, a photography workshop/exhibit, a forensics workshop, a collection development shopping trip, a European swords program, a robots program, a planetarium show, and movies, plus the Minecraft Club met every week, and the Teen Think Tank met twice.  Below are some pictures from a few of the programs that were here this summer. The trip to Barnes & Noble with the Teen Think Tank was great fun, and we will probably do it again next summer. Each TTT member chose books for the Library's collections that were of interest to them, most of which have been checked out. If you think you might like to be on the Teen Think Tank (the Library's teen advisory board), just let me know - we are looking to add more members.
Programs coming up:
There will be no Minecraft Club meeting the week of August 25th. The final Tuesday night meeting for summer Minecraft is August 19th. The Minecraft Club will be moving their meeting time back to Wednesday afternoons, starting on September 3rd.
There is a free PSAT practice test provided by Kaplan, scheduled for Saturday, September 20. Register online at Kaplan Test Prep.
Coming up September 25 & 27, we will be showing the movie, The Fault In Our Stars (see movie page on this blog for more information).
Also, there is a free College Financial Aid workshop scheduled for Thursday, October 23, at 7 PM.
Check back on this page for news about our Science is Everywhere grant STEM program line-up beginning January 2015.

Thank you Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Library

 for funding teen programs at the Library! 

Historical Swords: 
Western European 

TEEN THINK TANK 

goes shopping for the Library.

 

CSI: FORENSICS

LAB WORKSHOP