The seasons are turning, kids are back in school, and that means a new program in Children’s Services at the Library: Mess Around and Find Out Science.
Kids are natural scientists, full of curiosity and a sense of adventure. In this three-session series running on the first Wednesdays September through November, we want to engage children’s need to learn hands-on. To this end, we provided materials and a basic outline of what to do. Then the children engage and the fun begins.
Slime-making was our first offering, and it didn’t disappoint. Everybody loves that tactile experience of slime, and when it’s a bright color, so much the better. We learned about how Elmer’s PVA (polyvinyl acetate) school glue and borax-based contact lens solution along with baking soda yields a wonderfully viscous gel-like substance this is more like a solid when pressure is applied, and more like a liquid without pressure, due to the cross-linking of borax with PVA molecules. The result is known as a non-Newtownian fluid with properties of both solid and liquid depending on the force exerted against it.
Upon witnessing this fascinating chemical transformation, one youngster queried in awe, “Am I doing science?”
This is exactly the response we were hoping for. There will be more science fun in the months ahead to inspire youngsters to mess around and find out!
Mess Around and Find Out is a new program aimed towards introducing S.T.E.M. to youth through engaging and hands-on activities. Join in on the fun every first Wednesday of the month at the San Rafael Downtown library.
¡Mantente conectado con la biblioteca directamente desde tu celular!
Aun puedes recibir alertas por mensajes de texto a través de Shoutbomb, un servicio gratuito de mensajes de texto que te avisa cuando tus materiales reservados están listos para recoger o cuando se acerca la fecha de devolución. Es rápido, fácil y funciona con cualquier teléfono que pueda enviar y recibir mensajes de texto. Al registrarte para recibir mensajes de texto, seguirás recibiendo tus avisos por correo electrónico. ¡Puedes recibir ambos!
Para activarlo, solo envía SIGNUP al (844) 551-4900 y sigue las instrucciones para vincular tu tarjeta de la biblioteca.
Una vez registrado, tendrás el control total desde tu teléfono: podrás cancelar reservas, ver tus préstamos actuales, revisar si tienes multas pendientes y mucho más, todo con un simple mensaje de texto. El servicio está disponible en inglés y español, y aplican las tarifas normales de mensajería de tu compañía telefónica. Para dejar de recibir mensajes de Shoutbomb, envía un mensaje de texto con la palabra “QUIT” al (844) 551-4900.
Descubre todos los comandos disponibles y aprende a sacarle el máximo provecho a Shoutbomb aquí.
Stay connected to the library right from your phone!
You can now receive text alerts through Shoutbomb, a free text-message service that lets you know when your holds are ready for pickup or when your due dates are coming up. It’s quick, easy, and works with any phone that can send and receive text messages. Signing up for text messages does not impact your email notices, you can receive both!
To get started, just text SIGNUP to (844) 551-4900 and follow the prompts to link your library card.
Once you’re registered, you’ll have full control right from your phone: cancel holds, check your current checkouts, see if you have any fines, and more, all with a simple text message. The service is available in English and Spanish, and standard text-message rates from your carrier apply. To stop receiving text messages from Shoutbomb, text the keyword “QUIT” to (844) 551-4900.
Discover all the available commands and learn how to get the most out of Shoutbomb here.
