STEM Classes (for 2015 Summer Reading Theme, Super Heroes)

Mission: Science! Explore Superhero Forces in Science and Nature (series of 4 classes,
registered separately). Ages 11-17
1. Bioluminesence: Ever wonder how fireflies light up the night? Explore this fantastic
force of nature, learn to speak the language of fireflies, and create a firefly lamp.
2. Magnetism: Explore the properties of magnetism and use your new-found powers to
create a portable magnetic superhero scene.
3. Flight: Explore the power of flight with hands-on activities and challenges.
4. Strength: Explore the power of strength and get a glimpse into the exciting nanoworld
with hands-on activities.
The HCLS mission is to deliver high-quality public education for all ages. The above classes
are designed to fit within the summer reading theme, be fun and engaging, and be educational as
well. Students should leave each class with a greater understanding of the different forces
featured. The overall evaluation method is a standard Teen Class Evaluation form that asks
for a rating of the instructor and content on a 1-5 scale (1 being poor, 5 being excellent); asks
what was liked best/least about the class; and are there any other comments or suggestions.
During the class, I will continuously evaluate the engagement with the material and activities and
adjust as necessary depending on the individual students.
Our system publishes source which describes all the classes and events for each of the 6
branches in Howard County. The space is limited in this publication, so Mission: Science
basic description of the classes (along with dates for each class) will be listed in print with the
following check online for for individual class description. This is published quarterly and is
available in an online version (linked from the main hclibrary.org webpage) and in print in all the
branches.
I also will have a cheat sheet flyer that I type up listing each month's classes that I keep at our
information desk for parents and those interested in our class offerings this helps those
customers who do not want to browse the entire source publication to find just our branch classes.
I will be presenting these classes this summer and our public relations department will produce
flyers for the branch so I can post those on our bulletin board and in our display case (along with
items relating to the class subject). I also have a two-sided chalk board in the teen area where I
will hand write the various summer classes available. Further, the public relations department
will post details of the class on social media pages: Facebook and Twitter are the main ones. I
will also advertise these classes on my own personal Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter pages.
Usually I take pictures of the items to be used in the class or of something related to the content
to use in my personal postings. Canva is a great tool to put text on the photo with details about
the class.
Since these classes will be registered, I will advertise approximately two weeks ahead of time,
since our system is set up to allow teens to register for classes two weeks in advance.

Lesson Plans:

Bioluminesence
Discuss the term bioluminescene, what it means, and show various types of creatures that
exhibit this super power in nature (examples from National Geographic Education:
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/bioluminescence/?ar_a=
1 and of marine life from Smithsonian Museum of Natural History:
http://ocean.si.edu/slideshow/bioluminescent-animals-photo-gallery
Use Talk Like a Firefly lesson plan from NPR's Science Friday website
http://www.sciencefriday.com/teacher-resources/07/11/2014/talk-like-a-firefly.html
Create a Firefly Lamp: http://www.surprisediy.com/diy-249.html
Supplies needed: jars, foil, sharp pencil tip to poke holes, glow sticks (to give out at end to take
home)
Additional Activities: https://cheshirelibraryscience.wordpress.com/2014/12/11/program38-fun-with-things-that-glow/
Magnetism
Discuss magnetism and explore the properties: Magneto in X-Men
Background info: http://www.brainpop.com/educators/community/lesson-plan/magnetsbackground-information-for-teachers-and-parents-2/
Magnet facts http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/magnets.html
Create Superhero Scene: follow instructions here and substitute Super Hero graphics
http://smallworldland.blogspot.com/2013/01/ice-skating-rink-from-altoid-tin.htm
Supplies needed: variety of objects to explore with magnets and Altoid Tins, magnets,
paper clips, paper, markers/colored pencils, old comic books to cut up, glue, tape,
Flight:
Discuss flight and explore the properties: Superman, other creatures (birds, etc)
Create a variety of unique paper airplanes then test them out with a series of challenges
(can it fly through a hoop, how far can it fly, etc)
http://frugalfun4boys.com/2012/07/05/paper-airplane-test-lab/
http://deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com/2014/05/2-paper-flyers.html
http://babbledabbledo.com/diy-toy-paper-helicopter/
http://www.ptskjohnson.blogspot.com/2012/03/flight-schoolwith-paper-airplanesand.html
Supplies needed: variety of paper, tape, paper clips, straws, hula hoops, measuring tape,
record sheet for data collection
Strength
Discuss strength and how it's represented in super heroes and in nature
Do nanotube experiment
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/2015/01/explore-nanotechnology-with-paperweekly-science-activity.php?from=Newsletter
Supplies needed paper, tape, tables, data collection sheet, etc

!"#$$%"#&#'$#
!"#$%&&'()*+'$,'-'*.'
/#'..$0"1+*2+.3
04#).+)'$5*..'1
6789:7:9;;<=$
>'11).$?""(
6789:7:9;;@:

()*+,-%.)/012%&34,+,2%$25167
8960*))-%:,+0;<
.6964,+130=%>?%@6+,5%)A%#B;69960;6%30%#-/;+13)0
A24""-$).$"B+C$D")1$B.$E"#$+4'.'$'F2)+)1G$*1($'1G*G)1G$.2)'12'$2-*..'.3
C3553)0D%$;360;6E$HFI-"#'$ABI'#4'#"$!"#2'.$)1$A2)'12'$*1($J*+B#'$K.'#)'.$"E$6$2-*..'.L$
'*24$#'G).+'#'($.'I*#*+'-MNO$PG'.$7797;
1. :3)9/7306560;6D%HQ'#$R"1('#$4"R$E)#'E-)'.$-)G4+$BI$+4'$1)G4+S$HFI-"#'$+4).$
E*1+*.+)2$E"#2'$"E$1*+B#'L$-'*#1$+"$.I'*T$+4'$-*1GB*G'$"E$E)#'E-)'.L$*1($2#'*+'$*$E)#'E-M$
-*&IO$
2. C+=061357D%HFI-"#'$+4'$I#"I'#+)'.$"E$&*G1'+).&$*1($B.'$M"B#$1'R9E"B1($I"R'#.$
+"$2#'*+'$*$I"#+*U-'$&*G1'+)2$.BI'#4'#"$.2'1'O
3. F93=<1D%HFI-"#'$+4'$I"R'#$"E$E-)G4+$R)+4$4*1(.9"1$*2+)Q)+)'.$*1($24*--'1G'.O
4. $1,60=1<D$HFI-"#'$+4'$I"R'#$"E$.+#'1G+4$*1($G'+$*$G-)&I.'$)1+"$+4'$'F2)+)1G$
1*1"R"#-($R)+4$4*1(.9"1$*2+)Q)+)'.O$
!"#$EB#+4'#$)1E"#&*+)"1$2"1+*2+$5"#)$0"1E"#+)L$V''1.W$%1.+#B2+"#$*1($,'.'*#24$AI'2)*-).+L$
X-'1R""($Y#*124$*+$6789:7:9ZZ<:$"#$-"#)O2"1E"#+)[42-)U#*#MO"#G