It's Monday afternoon at the San Diego Central Library Downtown, and elementary school age kids are having a blast with hands-on learning activities in a Messy Science workshop. In this free Library Next Workshop, elementary school students learned about Earth science by handling messy slime and conducting noisy and colorful experiments. Physics, chemistry and biology of volcanoes, rain clouds, rock formation and other natural phenomena were taught as kids got to stomp, squeeze their way through hands-on activities. Messy Science is just one of the many free science classes offered at San Diego Public Libraries. Space is limited and parents must register their children online. This is the second year my son has attended STEAM Workshops at San Diego Public Libraries, and they are always a hit proving that learning can be fun!
Upcoming STEAM Classes in April
Making Waves
Did you know that if we take three deep breaths, the oxygen from two of those breaths comes from plants which live in the ocean? Marine plants help reduce global warming and provide our atmosphere. Learn about the science behind these funky plants at this Spring into Steam event! This program is presented by The League of Extraordinary Scientists and Engineers.
Registration required for all workshops. Click below to register.
April 11 | 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. | Scripps Miramar Ranch Library(link is external)
April 13 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Mira Mesa Library(link is external)
April 13 | 12:30 - 1:15 p.m. | North University Community Library(link is external)
April 17 | 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. | Paradise Hills Library(link is external)
April 17 | 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. | San Carlos Library(link is external)
April 23 | 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. | Kensington-Normal Heights Library(link is external)
April 29 | 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. | Serra Mesa/Kearny-Mesa Library(link is external)
Create-a-Creature: Animal Adaptations
Marine life has been evolving and adapting to their environment for millions of years. See how sea life has adapted to their unique environment and use this knowledge to create a creature of your own.
Registration required for all workshops. Click below to register.
April 11 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | La Jolla/Riford Library(link is external)
April 23 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Point Loma/Hervey Library(link is external)
April 25 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Mission Hills Library(link is external)
Hurricane vs. Houses
Learn how hurricanes form over ocean waters in this workshop. Kids will build structures out of various materials that will face simulated strong winds and rain to get an idea of the damage brought by this force of nature.
Registration required for all workshops. Click below to register.
April 13 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Ocean Beach Library(link is external)
April 20 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Linda Vista Library(link is external)
Underwater Coding
Join us with for some coding fun using Scratch, a drag-and-drop visual computer programming language. Learn how to use Scratch and code your own underwater scene, complete with fish and a scuba diver. This program is presented by ThoughtSTEM.
Registration required for all workshops. Click below to register.
April 16 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Clairemont Library(link is external)
April 17 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Balboa Library(link is external)
April 23 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Mountain View/Beckworth Library(link is external)
April 27 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. | La Jolla/Riford Library(link is external)
April 30 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Rancho Penasquitos Library(link is external)
Build Your Own Watershed
What is a watershed and do you live in one? Students will explore how humans impact local waterways, build their own watershed model and discover how they can help keep our ocean clean in this workshop. This program is presented by SD Coastkeeper.
Registration required for all workshops. Click below to register.
April 16 | 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. | North University Community Library(link is external)
April 17 | 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. | Carmel Valley Library(link is external)
April 27 | 11:00 - 11:45 p.m. | Central Library(link is external)
Physics of Fidget Spinners
April 13, 2019 | 2:00 - 5:00 PM | City Heights/Weingart Library | Register Here(link is external)
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
Ever wonder why some fidget spinners spin longer or hum louder than others? You will discover answers to these questions and much more as we learn about motion, tension, gravity and other fantastic phenomena related to fidget spinners and the world at large.
The Making of a Superhero: Fiction, Fantasy and the Real World
April 13, 2019 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM | Serrra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library | Register Here(link is external)
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
In this interactive workshop, students will explore the hero’s journey in literature and the real world. Through video clips, presentations, discussions and group work, participants will learn about the concept of the hero’s journey as described by mythologist Joseph Campbell. Students then will look at heroes in literature, TV shows, graphic novels and movies. Subsequently, they will learn the attributes of a hero, identify their own “super powers,” and explore how science, technology, psychology and medicine contribute to today’s heroes.
Marine Mammals of California
April 20, 2019 | 2:00 - 5:00 | Paradise Hills Library | Register Here(link is external)
Level: Elementary School (3rd - 5th Grade)
A large number of creatures call the ocean home, and many of them are mammals. In this workshop, students will explore the characteristics of marine mammals, especially the dolphins, whales and seals found off the California coast. Through hands-on activities, students will learn about marine mammal adaptations, such as echolocation in whales and locomotion in seals and sea lions. Students will also study coloration and fur patterns by sculpting marine mammals in clay to take home. The goal of this course is to leave students with a better understanding of California marine mammals and how we can make simple changes in our lives to help preserve these fascinating creatures.
Marine Mammals of California
April 24, 2019 | 4:00 - 7:00 PM | San Ysidro Library | Register Here(link is external)
Level: Middle School (6th – 8th Grade)
A large number of creatures call the ocean home, and many of them are mammals. In this workshop, students will explore the characteristics of marine mammals, especially the dolphins, whales and seals found off the California coast. Through hands-on activities, students will learn about marine mammal adaptations, such as echolocation in whales and locomotion in seals and sea lions. Students will also study coloration and fur patterns by sculpting marine mammals in clay to take home. The goal of this course is to leave students with a better understanding of California marine mammals and how we can make simple changes in our lives to help preserve these fascinating creatures.
Slime and Non-Newtonian Fluids
April 24, 2019 | 3:00 - 6:00 PM | Pacific Beach Library | Register Here(link is external)
Level: Elementary School (3rd - 5th Grade)
Slime: it’s slippery, gooey, malleable and oozy. But did you know you could use it to illustrate phenomena in the natural world? Just like slime, Earth’s glaciers, mudslides and quaking bogs are made of fluids that are neither liquid nor solid. Prepare for slimy fun as we investigate the interplay between viscosity, friction and gravity. Slime recipes included!
Exploring the Science of Harry Potter
April 27, 2019 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM | Rancho Penasquitos Library | Register Here(link is external)
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
Explore the science and magic of the world of Harry Potter through video clips, presentations, discussions, activities and artwork. Topics include genetics and trait prediction (parseltongue, giants, squibs), acid/base chemistry (Marauder’s Map), fantastic beasts and herbology. Science has never been so magical!
Animation and Video Game Design Using Scratch
April 30, 2019 | 3:00 - 6:00 PM | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library | Register Here(link is external)
Level: High School (9th - 12th Grade)
Make zombies, princesses and flying carpets come to life as you develop your own online game! Using the computer program Scratch, students will learn about character and storyboard design as well as basic animation to create their own games. No prior computer coding experience is required.
Virtual Exploration for a Sustainable World
April 30, 2019 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM | Skyline Library | Register Here(link is external)
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
In this workshop, students will gain a deeper understanding of geography, world history and sustainable design through a virtual exploration of world regions using Google Maps and Google Earth. Students will examine historical sites, study their development and consider why those sites were successful. After analyzing several case studies, students will understand the basic concepts of sustainable design and then use their new perspective as they sketch a house of the future for a specific global site. They will present their sustainable designs to their classmates and offer justifications for specific design elements.
Visit The Library STEAM Website Calendar for May: https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/spring-into-steam#undefined
Visit The Library Next Website Calendar for May: https://www.sandiego.gov/librarynext
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