Virtual Introduction to Film Making
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Level: High School (9th - 12th)
Filmmaking is a powerful vehicle for making sense of our lives and sharing the stories we want to tell. Learn the skills you need, from scripting and storyboarding to editing and audio, to express your point of view through creation of short films. We will start with an introduction to film theory and move on to the basics of video production, including composition, editing and audio. Students will consider the role stories play in our everyday lives and think about the stories they want to tell. Then, working in groups, students will storyboard, script, film and edit their own short films. Group members will switch roles to gain exposure to various facets of filmmaking. We will watch rough cuts of each other’s work and offer constructive critiques. In addition to producing their own videos, students will watch and discuss a variety of short films. For more information visit: https://www.sandiego.gov/librarynext
Virtual Medicine and the Heart
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Register Here
Level: High School (9th - 12th)
Students will virtualy explore the body’s circulatory system with a focus on the heart. They will get an introduction to human anatomy and physiology and learn about different diseases linked to the heart.This workshop is aimed at students with an interest in anatomy, especially those considering careers in medicine.
Virtual Intro to the Global Design Lab: Virtual Exploration & Design for a Sustainable World
Friday, February 12, 2021 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Register Here
Level: Middle School ( 6th - 8th)
Get a global introduction to sustainable design by using Google Maps and Google Earth as tools for virtual exploration. Analyze sites of past settlements and come up with your own design for a sustainable dwelling or community of the future. Students will gain a deeper understanding of geography, world history and sustainable design as they explore world regions. We will examine historical sites and consider why those sites were successful. After analyzing several case studies, students will learn basic concepts of sustainable design and then sketch a house of the future for a specific site using their new perspective. The class is aimed at students interested in maps, geography, history, natural environments, and sustainable architecture and design.
Virtual Introduction to Trash to Treasures: Upcycling at its Best
Friday, February 12, 2021 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Level: Middle School ( 6th - 8th)
We all know it’s important to recycle to slow the flow of trash into overstuffed landfills. Now discover how to put a creative spin on recycling by “upcycling” – turning trash into treasures such as art pieces or useful objects. We will explore how trash can be transformed using different techniques and art mediums. But first students will consider how much waste they produce and discuss the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling in their daily lives. They will learn the difference between recycling and upcycling and then brainstorm ways to create artistic, useful and valuable products from discarded materials. As they work on individual and group upcycling projects, students will be encouraged to take creative risks and cultivate imagination, persistence and collaboration. The class will help students understand that they have an important role to play in protecting our planet. .
Virtual Beginner's SketchUp: Designing 3-D Graphics
Saturday, February 13, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Register Here
Level: High School (9th - 12th)
Have you ever wanted to create imaginative computer-based 3-D graphics? Now’s your chance to design a bridge, a house, a monster or anything else you can dream up. With SketchUp Make 3D Modeling, students will use the familiar pencil-and-paper paradigm in a software context to create 3-dimensional graphic models.
Virtual Tiny Houses: Mini- Architecture
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Register Here
Level: Elementary School (3rd - 5th)
The tiny-house movement is sweeping the country! Explore how and why people are building houses that take up a fraction of the space of a typical home, and then create your own tiny-house model. Students will learn about architecture, social responsibility, and community as they envision and design their own tiny houses. They will use simple materials found around the house (including shipping boxes, repurposed rinsed out/not dirty food and fruit containers you would normally throw away) to build scale models of their houses. We will explore concepts including sustainability, functionality and how to incorporate natural light into the house design. Students will practice math skills as they scale their models and workforce skills as they complete their projects within time constraints. The course offers an inspiring introduction for students interested in architecture and sustainable design.
Virtual Slimy Sea Creatures
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Level: Elementary School (3rd - 5th)
Invertebrates like octopuses, jellyfish and squid have fascinating adaptations for life in their ocean ecosystems. Take on the role of marine biologist as we conduct an investigation of slimy sea creatures. Students will observe sea stars, sand dollars and moon snails, to name a few. They will watch a squid dissection and learn about anatomical structures of invertebrates. We will investigate the secret of how octopuses change color and how pearls are made. Students will also consider what kind of invertebrate they would like to be. They will test their knowledge by playing a game that rewards those with the best mastery of vocabulary from the class. Each student will create artwork to take home using seashells and other materials from Mother Earth. Slimy Sea Creatures offers a great way to inspire students to pursue further studies in marine biology.
Virtual Introduction to Ocean Science and Marine Biodiversity
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Level: Middle School ( 6th - 8th)
The ocean is home to a fascinating variety of ecosystems, from tide pools along the shore to the depths of the middle Pacific. Dive below the surface to explore marine biodiversity and to learn how people can help protect it. Students will explore a variety of ecosystems, including California’s own kelp forests, where sea lions, dolphins and whales roam. They will examine how human activities are changing these ecosystems and how marine creatures cope with the changes. We will take a look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to learn how plastics move around our oceans. The class will also look at how the work of marine biologists can help protect the diversity of sea life. Hands-on activities will include experiments, dissection of ocean animals and creation of hand-crafted marine creatures from recycled plastics and trash.
Virual Math and Murals
Thursday, February 18, 2021 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Register Here
Level: Elementary School (3rd - 5th)
Colorful murals can really brighten public spaces and urban landscapes. Learn how to use math and materials science – plus artistic inspiration – to design and execute large-scale murals. Students will investigate how various types of paint adhere to different surfaces and will become efficient at calculating the needed materials and costs to complete murals. Then they will work either individually or in groups to create a sample mural. We will discuss how to get permission and permits for final mural placement. Topics will also include funding and grants and how to use technology to enhance designs. Students will discover the value of merging math and science with creativity to produce successful projects
Virtual Understanding Earth
Thursday, February 18, 2021 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Level: Elementary School (3rd - 5th)
This class will explore the theory of plate tectonics and how plates move around Earth's surface to create landforms. Students will learn to read topological maps and find out how geological events affect us. We will Investigate evolution, geologic time scales and mass extinctions. Through a case study, we will see how human activities change the natural world. Students will also learn how to prepare for geo-hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.
Virtual Introduction to Space Out
Saturday, February 20, 2021 | 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Register Here
Level: Middle School ( 6th - 8th)
The lure of space exploration offers a powerful way to ignite students’ interest in science, technology and engineering. This class guides students on a tour of our solar system and beyond, and then lets them plan their own mission to a distant destination. We will start by exploring our own planet and considering what we can observe about Earth from space. We will survey other planets in our solar system and discuss what we need to know about a planet before we go there. Students will learn about “galaxies far, far away” and get a sense of just how vast distances in space are. They will consider what we know about Earth-like planets around other Suns and imagine what form life might take there. Inspired by what they learn, students will plan their own exploratory mission to another planet and create a model of a spacecraft that could take them there. The class provides a base of knowledge to build on as students move ahead with studies in astronomy, Earth science, engineering and more.
Virtual Physics of Fidget Spinners
Saturday, February 20, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Register Here
Level: Middle School ( 6th - 8th)
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.
Virtual How to Train Your Demogorgon: The (Pseudo) Science of Stranger Things
Friday, February 26, 2021 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Level: High School (9th - 12th)
Grab a box of Eggos and join us for a brief transdisciplinary tour of 1980s Hawkins, Indiana, as we delve into the (pseudo) science of the popular Netflix series Stranger Things. We will explore the biology and chemistry of the Upside Down and look at parallels in real-world science. The course will survey the history and culture of late 20th century America, including advancements in engineering, science and technology. We will look at how Stranger Things’ world parallels concepts in fields such as ocean and space science, parapsychology and neurobiology, including extrasensory perception and psychokinesis. Students will explore the idea of using STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) as a foundation for imaginative problem solving and creative storytelling.
Virtual Wellness in the Digital Age
Friday, February 26, 2021 | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Register Here
Level: High School (9th - 12th)
Living in a digital age with technology all around us has many benefits but also creates serious challenges to our well-being. Learn how to set healthy boundaries on your use of electronic devices while also cultivating practices that promote wellness. We will look at what research shows about the negative effects of too much technology use. For one thing, our dependence on devices is causing us to spend more time indoors and less time in nature than ever before. Participants will learn how spending time in nature provides an effective counterbalance to increased screen time and tech use. We will also look at the benefits of cultivating mindfulness and a growth mindset and of making time for play. Finally, we will consider how to incorporate these practices into our daily lives.
Virtual Introduction to 3D Modeling with Blender
Saturday, February 27, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Register Here
Level: High School (9th - 12th)
3D modeling is a fast-developing technology with applications in many fields and careers. Use the open-source program Blender to explore the potential of 3D modeling and printing. We will start with an introduction to Blender, an extremely powerful tool for 3D modeling. Students will learn how to use Blender for computer-aided design projects such as 3D printing, tool making and architectural modeling. They will practice re-creating chess pieces in a physical and a digital environment. Students will also learn the basics of environmental design for video games. The class offers a good starting point for moving on to more advanced 3D modeling skills.
Free Online Class-Jupiter & Beyond Grades 4-12
Sat, February 13, 2021
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Want to know how to control a spacecraft ... in space? NASA Astronaut Dr. Yu tells kids about how they can become interplanetary navigators!
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