STEM

Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician, 1918-2020

February 24, 2020 | strande
Reaching for the Moon book cover

 

Katherine Johnson was a talented mathematician in a field dominated by white men.

After graduating high school at the age of 15 in the midst of the Great Depression, she earned a full scholarship to West Virginia State Institute's math department. Johnson briefly taught high school and then in 1940 was one of the first Black graduate students chosen to integrate West Virginia University.

In 1953 she began work as a research mathematician for what would become NASA. Katherine Johnson shattered barriers for all women, but particularly for Black women, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

To celebrate the inspirational life of Katherine Johnson, check out the resources below or explore NASA's website. Learn about her and other amazing barrier-breaking mathematicians and scientists.

Reaching for the Moon : the autobiography of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson by Katherine G Johnson

This is Johnson's autobiography, but there are many books to introduce readers to her life in the Children's Biography collection.

Virtual STEAM Curiosity

Boydl
Kids aged 8-10 who are interested in science, technology, engineering, art, and math are invited to join us and explore various STEAM topics. First, kids will be introduced to a topic and the supporting ideas behind it. From there, participants will be given a problem and challenged to engineer a solution or create an example. Challenging, unusual and different, these programs are a great way to exercise the brain in the most fun way possible.
  • One week prior to the program, registered participants will receive an email with instructions for picking up program supplies and attending the live Zoom program.

Upcoming sessions

There are no upcoming sessions available.

If You Liked Luciana, Try...

July 25, 2019 | strande

 

If you enjoyed reading about Luciana Vega, the American Girl of the Year who goes to space camp in 2018, you might enjoy these other books about astronauts, space adventures, and robots.

Fiction

Lily & Kosmo in outer outer space by Jonathan Ashley

Lily Lupino yearns to be an astronaut, so when KosmoKidd crash-lands in her Brooklyn kitchen in 1949, she will do almost anything to prove herself to him and his crew.

Experience to Go: Summer STEM

June 1, 2019 | Boydl

Experience To Go Kits are created to help you pursue your best life and try something new. The Summer STEM Kit includes My Book of Rocks and Minerals, activity sheets, ping pong ball, dull nail, compass, litmus paper, magnifying glass, chalk, pipette, balloons, measuring tape, and a dry erase marker. Can't make it in to check out the kit? Try one of the below suggestions to help you get your fix! 

Local Science Fix

CPL STEM Programming

CPL currently hosts two regular STEM programs and has other opportunities for science fun with the library. Visit our program calendar for a full list of what is coming up.

Free or reduced rates to science-themed attractions

By using your library card, you can get free admission or reduced rates to tons of science-y places this summer. Find out more by visiting our community offerings page. 

 

STEM Curiosity

Boydl
Image of head with science related objects floating in a thought bubble inside

Kids aged 7-10 who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and math are first introduced to a topic and the science behind it. After learning about the sessions' topic, participants will be given a problem and challenged to engineer a solution to it individually and as teams. 

Registration required and begins July 11.

 

Upcoming sessions

There are no upcoming sessions available.

If You Liked Luciana Vega, Try...

March 22, 2018 | strande

 

If you enjoyed reading about Luciana Vega, the American Girl character who goes to Space Camp, you might be interested in these titles.

 

Fiction

I love you, Michael Collins by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

In 1969, as her own family is falling apart, ten-year-old Mamie finds comfort in conducting a one-sided correspondence with the least famous astronaut heading toward the moon on Apollo 11.

Drop-In STEM

agudenburr

Looking for something to do over Spring Break? Come join us for Drop-In STEM on Thursday, April 5, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. We will have several stations with a variety of STEM topics for children to explore. Each station will have a hands on activity that participants will explore through problem solving, the scientific process, logic, and creativity. 

  • Recommended age is 6-10
  • No Registration
  • Supplies are first come first serve

 

Upcoming sessions

There are no upcoming sessions available.

STEM Curiosity (previously STEM Saturday)

welz

New name, same great program. Previously called STEM Saturday, children ages 7-10 interested in science, technology, engineering and math will learn something new each month in a STEM topic. Get introduced to concepts through presentations, active exploration, and creative projects. Registration Required.​

Upcoming sessions

There are no upcoming sessions available.

Thorndyke Thoughts: The Sun and the Moon

August 2, 2017 | Thorndyke

 

Hey Kids,

You might have heard a little something about the sun going dark on August 21. In honor of this amazing event, we have a few out-of-this-world programs coming up in August: a visit from a traveling planetarium (requires registration) and an eclipse viewing gathering (no registration necessary). To prepare for the big day you can also check out some books on this amazing phenomenon. For more information on viewing the eclipse safely, NASA has answers for you. Happy viewing!

Bear Hugs,

Thorndyke

Looking up! : the science of stargazing by Joe Rao

Provides trivia on the planets, the Sun, and other celestial bodies, including the temperature on the surface of the Sun, why Pluto is considered a dwarf planet, and when and where one can see the next total solar eclipse.

Saturday STEM

ms.amelia

Children in ages 7-10 interested in science, technology, engineering and math will learn something new each month in a STEM topic. Get introduced to concepts through presentations, active exploration, and creative projects. Registration Required.

  • Saturday, December 16 - Statistics - What are the odds of a coin flipping up heads versus tails? A card pulled from a deck being red? Or a pair of dice coming up doubles? We'll play with odds and evens and everything in-between, and participants will walk away with a basic understanding of possibilities.  Registration is required and begins November 22.

Upcoming sessions

There are no upcoming sessions available.

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