May 17, 2021 | strande
Welcome to 62 Days of Summer STEAM! STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Scroll down to find different STEAM topics to explore this summer. We've got something for all ages and interests.
Don't forgot to check out our STEAM titles, we've got books on every topic, and plenty for grownup readers, too.
STEAM Booms and Builds
Whether you're engineering and creating and building, or figuring out how to knock down, erode, or explode, science is full of excitement.
62 Days Programs
- Watch things go boom with Explosive Science (all ages, July 15).
DIY Activities & Resources
- Visit our Build Something square and have fun while improving your spatial skills.
- Use vinegar and baking soda to make a plastic baggie explode
- Explore chemical reactions by making a foam explosion known as "elephant toothpaste." Check out this Guinness World Record-setting elephant toothpaste explosion!
Books
- Pick up one of these explosive reads this summer (suggestions for all ages).
STEAM in Nature
Have you ever wondered what kind of birds, bugs, and other animals you share your backyard with?
62 Days Programs
- Learn about the sun, and have some fun, while building early literacy skills at Lit Lab: The Sun (ages 4-9 with a caregiver, June 21).
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Bring your curiosity to Exploring Backyard Wildlife (all ages, July 13).
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Learn about birds and make a feeder to take home at Backyard Birds (ages 4-6, July 27).
- Part science experiment, all nutritional powerhouse, learn how to grow Edible Sprouts with our Grab-and-Go kit (all ages, July 20-27).
- Wondering what to do with that bounty from your garden? Pickle it! Learn how during Pickling Pickles with Patton (18+, August 4).
DIY Activities & Resources
- Check out a Michigan Adventure Pass to the Farmington Nature Center.
Books
- Find some books to help inspire a connection with the great outdoors. Take a look at our Nature is Everywhere suggestions for a variety of ages.
Putting the A in STEAM
Discover the beauty of where art and science meet.
62 Days Programs
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Learn how to draw with the introductory art series Primary Colors (ages 18+, June 16, June 23, June 30).
- Consider shape and color while making Polymer Clay Jewelry (ages 13-18, June 29).
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Register for Mini Succulent Art (ages 18+, July 1).
- Have fun and make art with Roll-A-Picasso (18+, July 7).
- They say cooking is an art! Make a pizza oven and engage your toddler in creative play to help build their fine motor skills with the Pizza Parlor Craft Grab & Go (ages 18-35 months, July 20).
DIY Activities & Resources
- Discover 8 art projects that incorporate scientific principals. Fun for kids, grownups, and the generally curious.
Books
- Check out these nonfiction books about where art and science meet (suggestions for adults).
STEAM in Person
People throughout history have explored science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Learn more about the people behind the developments. Try to discover at least one person you have never heard of.
62 Days Programs
- Strengthen your critical thinking and research skills at Genealogy Connect and learn about your ancestors! This program focuses organizing and preserving old photographs. (18+, July 15).
DIY Activities & Resources
- Investigate more scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and inventors using the Gale in Context: Biography database (available with a Canton Library Card).
- Make your own bubble blower, then learn more about people who invented other toys, like the slinky, Lego, or the Super Soaker!
- Learn about some famous cooks, or what food scientists do, and then make your own ice cream in a bag - it's science! Search our catalog to find more science you can eat.
Books
- Learn about some of the people behind the development of vaccines, the study of infectious diseases, and in the hot spots of public health (suggestions for all ages).
- Meet a mathematician (suggestions for kids and adults).
STEAM in Motion
Ever wondered how and why things move? From how animals get around to the mechanics of flight, investigating the forces of motion is a fascinating endeavor.
62 Days Programs
- Submit an entry to our Paper Airplane Contest (all ages, submissions due July 21).
- Celebrate the 5 year anniversary of Pokemon Go by picking up a Pokemon Kit and learning how games and apps are made (all ages, July 6).
- Move your body and build early literacy skills at Lit Lab: Dance Your Cares Away (ages 4-9 with a caregiver, July 31).
DIY Activities & Resources
- Stop by the library and complete our Sidewalk Obstacle Course, then put your design and drawing skills to work to make one at home.
- Build your own Newton's Cradle and see the Laws of Motion in action! There are so many ways to build this neat physics toy - try it with popscicle/craft sticks, a shoebox/cardboard, or some blocks/Legos.
Books
- Read about how animals move (concise books for the curious).
Head back to 62 Days of Summer for more ways to participate in the summer program!