NASA In-flight Education Downlink
On
Friday, August 9th,
Slover Library will host a live downlink event from the International Space Station with
NASA astronaut Nick Hague.
Note: Nick is replacing Christina and Drew as the participating astronaut for this event.
In-flight Education Downlinks connect kids with astronauts aboard the space station for a live question-and-answer session about living and working in space. The
20-minute, Earth-to-space call will air live on
NASA TV’s Media Channel and the agency’s
website.
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Computational Thinking Workshop
By Claire Ratcliffe, Education Coordinaor @ NCIL/SSI
STAR Net recently launched a
national traveling exhibition, Exploring Space: Smart Spacecraft, Big Data, and Modeling Reality, which will be hosted at four different libraries across the country over the course of the
next year and showcase the evolving role of computing in space science and astronomy.
Two representatives from each of four host libraries met with the NCIL team for a workshop about the exhibit and the hands-on
activities that go with it at the College Hill Branch of Westminster Public Library in Colorado on July 23rd and 24th. The workshop participants defined “Computational Thinking” as thought processes used to solve complex problems, which are skills that are
becoming more and more important in our growing technological world.
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Scientists Need Your Help!
NASA GLOBE Observer needs your
help recruiting volunteer citizen scientists to report dust storms. Scientists want this data so they can improve forecasts of dust storms and send early warnings to the public.
Learn how your library can help: http://bit.ly/2LmMJBL
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Computational Thinking in Your Library - Unplugged!
Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Time: 4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT
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Computational Thinking in Your Library - Plugged In!
Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Time: 4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT
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For those that are unable to attend our live webinars, we will have a
recording posted on our website within a day or two after the live presentation. And remember, all webinars are now streamed LIVE on our
YouTube channel for times when are webinars are full.
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Webinar Alert: Rural Informal
STEM Education Conference
Your library is invited to join a dissemination webinar that shares the findings of a recent conference on Informal STEM Education
in Rural Places. This webinar will highlight key findings in the report and elicit discussion among participants. You can register for the webinar at the url below, and then information on how to log in will be emailed to you.
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Connected Science Learning
This month, CSL (Issue 11, Part 1) begins its focus on Practical Program Evaluation. Find out how you can use the Dimensions of
Success framework to plan, evaluate, and improve your program. Learn about the Common Instrument Suite for Students, which determines how students' attitudes are affected by different activities and teaching methods. Finally, discover how you can evaluate
your program using ActApp, a free evaluation toolkit from Activation Lab.
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Video: August Skywatching Tips from NASA
What Can You See This Month?
In the August sky, look for the "shooting stars" of the annual Perseid meteor shower for some stargazing delights, but be warned — the bright Moon will overwhelm the fainter meteors during the show peak on August 12 and 13 this year. Plus, the Moon's evening
visits to Jupiter and Saturn on August 9 and 11.
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Hands-on STEM: Binary Bead Craft
This hands-on activity is a great way to incorporate computational thinking and art! Patrons learn how computers communicate with
“binary code” that uses patterns of zeros and ones to represent letters, numbers, or other symbols. Then, they use binary code to write their own name on a bracelet or necklace!
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The
STAR Library Network (STAR Net)
is a hands-on learning network for libraries and their communities across the country.
STAR Net focuses on helping library professionals
build their STEM skills by providing “science-technology activities and resources” (STAR) and training to use those resources. Plus, engage public audiences nationwide in informal and lifelong learning with the excitement of exploration and discovery through
STAR Net's NASA@ My Library
program!
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STAR Net
is built upon a strong network of collaborators and partners, led by the Space Science Institute’s (SSI) National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL). Partners include the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office, Collaborative Summer Library
Program, Chief officers of State Library Agencies, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Afterschool Alliance, Education Development Center, American Society of Civil Engineers, and Cornerstones of Science. Major funding is provided by the National Science Foundation,
NASA Science Mission Directorate, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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Challenges and Strategies in Informal STEM Learning
By Keliann LaConte
Through Project BUILD, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) volunteers and public library staff are working together to engage children in grades 2-5 and their families in age-appropriate, technology-rich STEM learning experiences that are based on the
Engineering Design Process.
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Exploring Insects
By Amy Holcomb
This summer, Skokie Public Library committed to providing quality STEAM programs for youth in elementary grades while in the hustle that is summer reading. Youth Services Librarian Gudrun Premier facilitated a Be the Scientist program for grades 3-5 earlier
this month and focused on insects. Here’s what she did.
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STEAM Engines: Black Holes
By Caitlin Savage
One of my favorite things about kid science programming at the library is the journey of discovery. I was as excited as the next curious citizen when the photo of the black hole was released in April.
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Programming
Opportunities
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Summer Learning Program: "A Universe of Stories"
Summer, 2019
More Info >>
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NASA In-flight Education Downlink
August 9, 2019
More Info >>
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International Observe the Moon Night Celebration
Oct. 5, 2019
More Info >>
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