STEM programs at WFL this Spring!

Did you see us at the WFL table at the Wellesley STEM Expo a couple weeks ago?  If not, you may not know that we have a Spring chock full of STEM programs for kids of all ages!  See our offerings below:

Wednesday April 22 2:00-3:00pm
Stories & More : be kind to the earth

Celebrate Earth Day at the Library! Join us for Stories & More and explore how we can 'Be Kind to our Earth' with stories and activities presented by teachers from the Regis College Children's Center.  Families with children ages 4-6 years will meet in the Wakelin Room. This program is generously sponsored by the Regis College Children’s Center.  Since space is limited, please sign up online starting on April 15. 

Thursday April 23 7:00-8:00pm
Science Magic

The Museum of Science returns to the Library with Science Magic, one of their fabulous Traveling Programs!  Drop into the Wakelin Room to enjoy an evening of science surprises and fun for families with school age children.  This program is generously provided by the Museum of Science to libraries in towns along the Boston Marathon route.

Friday April 24 2:00-3:00pm
Makey Makey Inventor’s Workshop

Middle School-aged Kids can join us in Jackie’s Room to learn how to use everyday items and the 'Makey Makey' to complete an electronic circuit in order to control computer programs.  The 'Makey Makey' (makeymakey.com), invented by graduate students at MIT, is a small circuit board that connects to a computer and lets you invent your own keyboard with anything that conducts electricity. Use bananas to play a virtual piano or band instruments! Use PlayDoh to make a game controller for a video game! Various conductive materials will be provided to get everyone started, but kids are encouraged to bring their own. Things that would conduct electricity well: fruit, green leaves, flowers, soda cans, metal bottle caps.  Please sign up online beginning on April 17.  This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.

Thursday May 14 3:30-4:30pm

Storytime Explorytime

Young scientists ages 3-6 join us in the Wakelin Room for Storytime Explorytime!  Enjoy a storytime with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) theme, followed by a fun related hands-on activity!  Kids will enjoy fun easy experiments, while learning basic skills which will help develop STEM literacy.  Please register beginning on May 7.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.

Thursday June 11 3:30-4:30pm
Storytime 2.0

Join us for Storytime 2.0 in the Wakelin room!  In addition to books, songs, and rhymes, we will share fun ebooks and apps, projected on the big screen.  This program is best for kids ages 3-6 with an adult. Since space is limited, sign up online starting on April 2 (or June 2). Sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.

 LEGO Club – Spring and Summer dates TBD

Come build something great at our LEGO Club for kids ages 6 years and up. We will provide the LEGOs, a theme to inspire your creativity, and a snack to keep you energized. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.

Edible Science – Summer dates TBD

Middle School-aged Kids come to the craft for Edible Science!  Have fun concocting scrumptious experiments, then eat them when you’re done!  If you have food allergies, please contact the Children’s Department ahead of time and we will be happy to accommodate.  No experience necessary, so come and play with your food! Sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.

Vacation week programming at the Wellesley Free Library

In addition to all of our regularly scheduled story times in the mornings, we have a selection of special events to choose from in the afternoons!

Tuesday April 17, 2012 1:00 PM to 2:15 PM In the Wakelin Room Drop in to enjoy Lady and the Tramp, (G, 75 min) one of Walt Disney's best-loved animated features and a great love story. Tuesday April 17, 2012

2:45 PM to 4:30 PM

In the Wakelin Room

Drop in to enjoy The Adventures of Tintin (PG, 107 min), based on the series of graphic novels by Herge. Wednesday April 18, 2012 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM In the Wakelin Room   Children in Kindergarten through Grade 2 are invited to join us for an entertaining and educational look at modern manners. Mannersmith will bring a program which reviews the need-to-know protocol from pre-school to 2nd grade. Subjects include meet and greet manners, finger foods and fork foods, and suitable table topics. Children will be surprised to learn things even their parents do not know. Refreshments will be served. Registration is recommended. Sign up beginning on Wednesday, April 11. Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.           Wednesday April 18, 2012 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM At the Hills Branch Ever wonder how magic tricks really work? This program from the Museum of Science-Boston investigates the science behind the 'magic' of several classic magic tricks. You might learn how to snatch a tablecloth without disturbing the items on top, make a balloon fireproof, and use electromagnetism to defy gravity. Refreshments will be served following the program. Young Scientist programs are recommended for children ages 8-12. Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.   Thursday April 19, 2012 2:15 PM to 4:30 PM In the Wakelin Room Drop in to enjoy Hugo (PG, 127 min) in which an orphaned boy secretly lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station and looks after the clocks. He gets caught up in a mystery adventure when he attempts to repair a mechanical man. Thursday April 19, 2012 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM In the Wakelin Room Born to be Wild (G, 40 min) is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them—saving endangered species one life at a time.