2011 VLA Presenation 123 Math & Science

1. Heather Ketron
Head of Youth Services
Ashburn Library
Loudoun County Public Library
Maureen Smith
Head of Youth Services
Rust Library
Loudoun County Public Library
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2. 1 2 3 Ma t h
& Science
Virginia Library Association Annual Conference
October 2011
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3. Presentation Preview
Background Information
Program Resources
Sample Program Plans & Activities
Questions
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4. Background
Loudoun County Public Library developed a
Math and Science program series that
reaches children between the ages of 8 - 11.
These staff presentations explore a variety of
math and science topics through games,
puzzles and experiments.
The Loudoun County Public Library’s 123
Math & Science program was featured in the
October 2010 issue of American Libraries.
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5. Background (2)
 The Math and Science series was developed in
2010 and launched during the annual Summer
Reading Program.
The programs are presented by librarians,
library assistants, and with the help of teen
volunteers.
The programs are offered at all 7 branches of
the library system. Program scheduling during
the school year varies from branch to branch.
Promotion = Pages (print calendar of events);
library website; flyers; and displays.
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6. Purpose
In accordance with Loudoun County Public
Library policy, the 123 Math & Science programs
shall exist to meet informational needs; attract
new library users; and spotlight library books
and materials.
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7. Objectives
Through participation in the 123 Math & Science
program, children ages 8 – 11 will share educational and
recreational experiences. Specifically, participants will:
 Maintain educational gains and review
mathematical and science concepts
 Informally explore a variety of math and science
topics through games, puzzles, and experiments
 Interact with peers through large and small group
activities
 Become aware of library books and media through
book talks and short viewings
 Share knowledge and ideas with peers
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8. Funding
Funding for 123 Math and Science comes from
the Loudoun County Public Library operating
budget.
Some branches also receive funding from
Advisory Boards.
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9. Participation
From June 2010 – August 2011
166 123 Math & Science programs were presented
in LCPL branches
Average attendance was 22 participants during
the school year and 32 during the summer
months
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10. Program Development
123 Math & Science program plans were
developed
 through library staff collaboration
utilizing topics that: follow several streams in the
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
to take advantage of juvenile popular interest
to promote usage of
science and math library
materials both print and
electronic.
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11. Staff Collaboration- Math
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12. Staff Collaboration - Science
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13. Staff Collaboration- Past Programs
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14. Program Resources
Library collection & databases
Local organizations & agencies
Staff!
Websites
Vendors/Suppliers
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15. Sample Summer Programs
123 Math 123 Science
Tangrams Crystals
Pentominoes Beautiful Butterflies
Mosaic Design Flipped! – Visual Perception
Structures Making Suspension Bridge
Buttons in a Bag – Probability Owl Pellet Dissection
Patterns Space Weather
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16. Sample School-Year Programs
Sample topics during School Year
Body Math – Use your body to explore probability, calculations, and
measurement.
Sleuthing Secrets - Crack codes; analyze handwriting; compare plaster
footprints; and learn how to sharpen your sleuthing skills.
Measurement Rules: Length, width, area, volume, temperature, mass, weight,
time, grids, and graphs – we will measure absolutely everything!
Amazing Adaptations: Identify unique survival adaptations of plants and
animals.
Calculators + Kids = Fun! Use a calculator to solve riddles and puzzles.
The Real McCoy: Discover several famous African American scientists and
learn about their contributions to science.
Garden Math: Plan a spring garden using area.
Pollution Solutions: Go green with recycling.
Marvels of Motion: Newton’s laws … in motion!
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17. Promoting Library Materials
Demonstrate databases during program
Book Display
Book Talks
Print list of related library materials, Want
to learn more about ___? Then try these …
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18. Role of Library Staff
We are supplementing, enriching , and extending
children’s knowledge of math and science topics vs.
teaching a specific curriculum.
We complement school instruction, we do not provide
instruction or remediation.
Our role is to facilitate and support children’s learning.
Our role is also to create a setting where children have a
positive, life-enhancing experience in the library.
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19. Some Keys to Success
Choice in many of our programs children
choose which activities they will participate in,
they are not forced to do anything!
Friends: children work with friends, they don’t
need to prove they can do it alone!
Positive
Supportive
Encouraging
FOCUS =
Children
vs. “teaching”
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20. Sample Math Program & Activities
PROBABILITY & STATISTICS
Program Objectives
•Participants will acquire a simple understanding of
probability and statistics through hands-on experiments.
•Participants will work as one group or several smaller
groups to perform experiments as research teams.
•Participants will become aware of library materials through
book talks and displays.
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21. Definitions:
Probability is a way of expressing knowledge or belief that
an event will occur or has occurred. In mathematics, the
concept has been given an exact meaning in probability
theory that is used extensively in such areas of study as
mathematics, statistics, finance, gambling, science and
philosophy to draw conclusions about the likelihood of
potential events.
Statistics is the science of making effective use of
numerical data relating to groups of individuals or
experiments. It deals with all aspects, including the
collection, the analysis and the interpretation of such
data.
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22. Experiment 1 – Alphabetical Probability
15-20 minutes
Participants will predict what they believe the 5 most
commonly used letters in the English language are. They
will circle these 5 letters on their chart noting the one letter
they believe is the most common.
The participants will be divided into teams but work
individually for the first exercise.
o Participants will select one or more sentences from a
book and tally how many times each letter appears in
the sentence.
o The group will compile their individual results and give
a group report.
o The group results will be placed on a class chart (white
board) to discuss their conclusions. 22

23. u ssi o ns:
her Disc
Fu r t
What is so strange about these three sentences?
1.This is odd.
2.Do you know why?
3.Try and find out.
15-20 minutes
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24. Experiment 2 – Fair
Game
Participants in teams will–complete two activities to determine if a game is fair .
15 20 minutes
Activity 1: Rock, Paper Scissors
Explain how to play Rock Paper Scissors to any participants that may be
unsure how to play. The participants will be in groups of 3 or 4 for this
activity. Prior to starting the activity, the participants will determine
who is player A, B, C and D. Each participant will have a role and specific
directions for the activity:
o Participant A : gets a point if all players show the same sign (i.e. 3 rocks, 3
papers, 3 scissors).
o Participant B: gets a point if only two players show the same signs.
o Participant C: gets a point if all players show different signs.
o Participant D: is the recorder.
Participants will play the game about 25 times following the above rules.
The Recorder will tally the scores on the chart.
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25. DISCUS
S ION:
1. Is this game fair? Why?
2. Which player would you rather be?
3. How could the game be made more
fair?
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26. Experiment 2 – Fair
Game
15 – 20 minutes
Activity 2: Even or Odd?
The participants will be in groups of three for this activity. Prior to
starting the activity the participants will determine who is player A,
B and C. Each player will have a roll and specific directions for the
activity:
• Participant A scores a point if the sum is even.
• Participant B scores a point if the sum is odd.
• Participant C is the recorder.
They will roll the dice 20 times, alternating who throws the dice.
The recorder will tally the scores on the chart.
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27. DISCUS
S ION:
1. Is this game fair? Why?
2. If it is not fair, how can you make it
more fair?
Play the game a second time with the
players changing positions.
Compare the results with the first
game.
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28. MATERIALS NEEDED
Experiment 1: Experiment 2:
1.Alphabetical Chart • Activity 1:
2.Pencils 1. Rock, Paper, Scissors Chart
3.Books 2. Pencils
4.White Board
• Activity 2:
1. Even or Odd Chart
2. Pencils
3. 8 Dice
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29. RESO
ARY UR C
L IBR ES
15-20 minutes
Non-Fiction
• Probability: Probability Pistachio – E 519-2 Mur
• It’s Probably Penny – E 519.2 Lee
• Math Games for Middle School: Challenges and Skill Builders for
Students at Every Level
• J 510-712 Sal
• Math Matters – J 510 Mat
Fiction
• Take a Chance by Sandra Byrd
• Finding Home by Sandra Markle
• Pigs at Odds by Sharon McGinley-Nally
DVD
• Bill Nye the Science Guy. Probability J519.2 Bil
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30. Sample Science Program & Activities
Research Teams–
The Case of the Similar Substances
Who ransacked the chef’s kitchen?
 Figure out what each substance is by performing tests to
identify the substances.
Substance Color Texture Odor
Step #1: #1 White granular, Clean,
Observation gritty sweet
#2 White Powdery, No smell?
fine
grains
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31. Experiment!
Substance What happened when mixed with water?
#1 Dissolves, white liquid but no particles in water
#2 Does not dissolve, thick-white-cloudy
Substance What happened when mixed with vinegar?
#1 Fizzles, bubbles, then dissolves
#2 Does not dissolve, cloudy
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32. Step #2: Check the Physical Properties
When mixed with water. Sugar Dissolves; liquid is clear
Baking Soda Dissolves; liquid is clear
Cornstarch Does not dissolve; liquid is milky
When mixed with vinegar. Sugar Dissolves
Baking Dissolves; makes fizzing & bubbling sounds
Soda
Cornstarch Does not dissolve; liquid is cloudy
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33. Who ransacked the chef’s kitchen?
What is substance #1? – from the caterer’s house
Baking Soda
What is substance #2? – from the banquet hall owner’s house
Cornstarch
What were the substances that the police found in the ransacked
kitchen?
Flour and baking soda
Who ransacked the chef’s kitchen?
The caterer!
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34. Activity Centers: Free Choice!
Sharpen your sleuthing skills by trying the activity
centers.
• Fingerprinting
• Match the shoe casts
• You’re the Detective – Observational Skills
• Handwriting Analysis
• Math Code
• Book Code
• Book Browsing
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35. Book Talks
Database Demo
Audio
Science Online Video
Books
Types of Chemical Reactions
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36. Mystery Snack & Media Viewing
Read the “clues”– ingredients— • Bill Nye the
 Enriched flour Science Guy:
 Vegetable oil Forensic Science
 Skim milk cheese
 Milk
 Salt
 Paprika
 Yeast
What is the mystery snack?
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37. Program Evaluation
Invite participants to evaluate the
program.
Post large sheets of paper on wall with
sentence starters
 I learned …
 My favorite was …
 I think the library …
Or utilize a paper form
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38.  More Sample Programs and
Activities
 Your Questions
Contact Us:
Heather.Ketron@loudoun.gov
Maureen.Smith@loudoun.gov
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