Eggs Eggs are an incredible adaptation that allow birds to stay light and able to fly while their babies are growing. Bird eggs are covered in a shell with lots of tiny holes. These allow air and moisture to pass through. Eggs are also covered in a coating that keeps out bacteria and dust. To see the parts of an egg…
Maker Monday
Maker Monday: Build a Braced Tower
Photo of John Hancock Center by Drew Hays on Unsplash February's STEAM at Home program featured Awesome Architecture and fun building activities. We learned that x-bracing (seen here on the John Hancock Center in Chicago) is one way that helps keep buildings straight and tall when wind blows on them. X-braces and shear walls collect wind forces and carry them to the foundation. Build your own braced tower at home…
Maker Monday: Baking Bread
Winter is a great time to bake bread. While it takes time to rise, the hands-on time of baking bread is minimal. Helping in the kitchen is useful for reinforcing following directions, practice with numbers, and is way to spend time with kids while bring productive. This recipe is from Kid Chef Bakes, the kids…
Maker Monday: DIY Eco-Friendly Confetti
This activity is a great way to create confetti for your New or "Noon" Year's Eve. Image by Penny Whitehouse What you need: Lots of colorful leavesHole punch Then, make the confetti by using the hole punch to punch out pieces of the leaves. For other eco-friendly activities and crafts, check out these books: Amazing Cardboard Tube Science by…
Maker Monday: Make Your Own Dreidel
Happy Hanukkah! To learn more about this holiday, we went to PebbleGo, accessible through our web resources. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday taking place for eight nights. This year, it started on Thursday, December 10 and ends Friday, December 18. It is also known as the Festival of Lights. Jewish people celebrate by lighting a…
Maker Monday: Cinnamon Playdough
This easy recipe creates a wonderfully spicy smelling playdough that will last weeks if kept in a sealed container. Playing with playdough helps with fine motor skills, hand strength, and creativity. You can also use it to make letters and build letter recognition. You can add toothpicks, beads, dried pasta, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and…
Make a Holiday Card for Alden Gardens
Help brighten the holidays for seniors by sending a handcrafted holiday card. The Mount Prospect Public Library has partnered with Alden Gardens in Des Plaines to send holiday cards to their residents. All you need to do is have your child create a card using any art supplies you have at home, making it as simple or…
Maker Monday: Enchanted Engineering
Who knew that reading fairy tales could lead to engineering experiments? Last month at our Zoom STEAM at Home event, we led kids through these fun building activities that were inspired by fairy tales. These projects are easy to do with stuff you probably already have around the house. Robin Hood's Bow and Arrow Supplies:…
Maker Monday: Straw Bridges
Try making a bridge from common items and learn about what shapes work best with this project from the Museum of Science + Industry. https://youtu.be/GA93aHRDMD8 Materials 35 non-bendy strawsClear tapeScissorsMeter stick or yardstick200 to 300 penniesSmall cupPencilPaperTwo chairs or tables Directions Build your bridge using only straws and clear tape. Before you build, you may…
Maker Monday: Solar Oven S’mores
No campfire? No problem! Try making s'mores using solar energy with this fun project from WeAreTeachers.com. Supplies: pizza boxblack construction paperaluminum foilplastic wrap Directions: Cut the “oven door” flap on the box. Decorate with markers if you wish! Glue black construction paper to the bottom of the box. The black color absorbs the heat. Glue…
