#fowler branch

[masslsta-blog]

Space Camp

March was space-themed at the Fowler Branch of the Concord Free Public Library. For our Space Camp program, we talked about how astronauts prepare for living and work in space and had a series of learning stations set up where children could practice walking on a moving surface like astronauts exercising in space, how to conduct experiments with gloves, and how to prepare meals in space. We even got to sample an MRE (meals ready-to-eat) like soldiers and astronauts might eat.

[masslsta-blog]

littleBits & Lego

littleBits, magnetic circuits,  were added to the monthy Lego program at the Fowler Branch of the Concord Free Public Library. Children can create whatever they like using the tools provided. Several created objects based on the littleBits Gizmos and Gadget kit while others designed original projects.

[masslsta-blog]

The Magic of Magnets

Properties of magnetic materials were demonstrated and a series of experiments were conducted to test how to use magnets in various situations. The audience then had the opportunity to come up and test the magnets themselves. A kit of magnets and suggested experiments is now being circulated at the Fowler Branch of the Concord Free Public Library. One mother told us that her 4 and 5 year old children spent the next week testing everything in the house for magnetic properties.

[masslsta-blog]

Dinosaur Dig

After receiving LSTA funds to increase preschool STEAM programming, the Fowler Branch of the Concord Free Public Library hosted a program on dinosaurs. After discussing how bones turn into fossils, participants practiced their excavation skills by extracting chocolate chips from cookies with a toothpick, searched through a fake excavation site for bones, and had the chance to make their own fossils with clay, molds, and imagination.