US Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center

Wed, 09/19/2012 - 3:00pm by hillary dorwart

Wednesday, September 19, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center will discuss their research that takes place on the Great Lakes, including deep-water science, invasive species, coastal ecosystems, restoration ecology, and environmental health.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, The Great Lakes Science Center exists to meet the Nation's need for scientific information for restoring, enhancing, managing, and protecting living resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes basin ecosystem.

This event is for adults and teens (grade 9 and up).

Research Scientists From the United States Geological Survey: Wednesday, September 19th at 7pm

Tue, 09/18/2012 - 6:19pm by cecile

Join us at our downtown location on Wednesday, September 19th at 7pm when four members of the United States Geological Survey will talk about their latest research on the Great Lakes.

Dr. David Warner, a Research Fishery Biologist, will discuss the USGS Deepwater Science Program spanning Great Lakes ecology, ecology of invasive species and remote sensing in ecology.

Dr. Bruce Manny, a Research Fishery Biologist, will speak about his work designing, researching and monitoring activities to restore spawning and nursery habitat for valued native fish species in the Huron-Erie Corridor.

Joseph Baustian, a Research Analyst, will discuss his work in the GLSC Coastal Ecosystems Branch currently focused on restoring coastal marshes in the Great Lakes basin.

David Galbraith, a Geographic Information Systems Specialist, working in the GLSC Coastal Ecosystems Branch, will speak about his work investigating the landscape ecology of invasive wetland flora.

Science Magic!

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 10:00am by manz

Friday, August 31 -- 2:00-3:00 PM -- Traverwood Branch -- Grades K-5

Learn a few tricks (and the science of how they work) to impress your friends! Come and watch a science magic demonstration involving wind power and learn how to make two optical illusion crafts.

J 507.2 Wi Magic science: 50 jaw-dropping, mind-boggling, earth-shattering, head-scratching activities for kids by Jim Wiese
J 507.8 To Experiments with magic by Salvatore Tocci
J 793.8 Be Magic up your sleeve: amazing illusions, tricks, and science facts you'll never believe by Helaine Becker
J 793.8 Bu It's not magic, it's science! : 50 science tricks that mystify, dazzle & astound! by Hope Buttitta
J 793.8 Ga Smart science tricks by Martin Gardner

Check out the full list of Science Magic tricks/experiment books!

This event is for grades K - 5.

AADL Talks to Mary Stewart Adams

Mon, 08/27/2012 - 3:01pm by amy

Mary Stewart Adams is a star lore historian, storyteller, and program director for the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, a 600-acre park in Michigan's Emmet County. She was also instrumental in securing the recent passage of Michigan Public Act 251, which establishes a 23,000-acre Dark Sky Preserve in Michigan. On her way to a signing ceremony with Governor Rick Snyder, Mary stopped in to talk with me about the process of securing a dark sky designation, the importance of dark skies, and her passion for telling stories about the stars.

Mary will be at the Downtown Library on the eve of the autumnal equinox - Friday, September 21, 2012 - for an evening of Storytelling with the Stars.

Neil Armstrong, first person to set foot on the moon, has died

Sat, 08/25/2012 - 4:53pm by sernabad

Neil Armstrong, the Ohio born NASA astronaut who thrilled the world on July 20, 1969, when he stepped out of the Apollo 11 space capsule and onto the surface of the moon, died today.

After three years as a Navy pilot, in 1955 he signed on with NASA's precursor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. In 1958, NACA became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Armstrong continued his stellar career under the renamed organization.

In 1962, he became an official astronaut. Four years later he was the first man to dock two vehicles in space.

On July 20, 1969, a global gasp went up when, as Commander of Apollo 11, he set foot on the moon and said, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."

That very day, then Ohio Governor James Rhodes proposed that Armstrong's hometown of Wapakoneta build a museum in his honor. Three years later to the day, the Armstrong Air and Space Museum opened its doors to the public.

Over the years, Armstrong earned endless accolades, awards, degrees, and the adoration of a nation. The latter puzzled him the most as he was, indeed, a reluctant hero. He always maintained he was just doing his job.

His family summed up his life thus: "For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request: Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

Armstrong, who had had heart surgery a few weeks ago, was 82 years old.

Kitchen Science

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:04am by ErinDurrett

Friday, August 24 -- 2:00-3:00 PM -- Traverwood Branch -- Program Room

How much protein is in your milk? How much iron is in your breakfast cereal? Want to learn how to make popcorn dance? Check out this event and play with your food.

Here are a few Kitchen Science books:

Y 507.8 Ga Chemistry science fair projects using french fries, gumdrops, soap, and other organic stuff by Robert Gardner
J 507.8 Le Kitchen science by Shar Levine & Leslie Johnstone
J 507.8 Pe Kitchen science by Peter Pentland and Pennie Stoyles
J 507.8 To Experiments with foods by Salvatore Tocci
Y 540.72 Ga Science projects about kitchen chemistry by Robert Gardner
Y 579 Ba Kitchen science experiments: how does your mold garden grow? by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
J 641.3 Ma Simple kitchen experiments : learning science with everyday foods by Muriel Mandell
Y 641.5 McC Eat Your Math Homework: Recipes for Hungry Minds by Ann McCallum

Check out the complete Kitchen Science list!

This event is for grades K - 5.

Adaptations For Flight: Raptors. Wednesday August 15, 2012: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and again from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 2:58pm by Employee 37

See a raptor fly! Leslie Science & Nature Center staff members will teach you how to observe physical structure, feather type, and wing shape to determine various ways predators fly, soar, and drive to survive. This event will be offered twice in its entirety, once from 1-2pm and again from 3-4pm. The first show tends to fill up quickly, so you may want to plan on attending the 3-4pm performance to get a better seat. This event is intended for grades K-12.

Nature Notebooks!

Wed, 08/08/2012 - 8:29am by ErinDurrett

Wednesday, August 8 | 2:00-4:00 PM | Pittsfield Branch | Program Room

Make a small notebook and record your observations of the natural world with scientific illustrator Bruce Worden and various natural specimens.

Check out these books:

J 507.8 Po Nature in a nutshell for kids: over 100 activities you can do in ten minutes or less by Jean Potter
J 508 Ar Field trips: bug hunting, animal tracking, bird-watching, and shore walking with Jim Arnosky
J 508 Mo Nature in the neighborhood by Gordon Morrison
J 582.13 Bu Wildflowers, blooms and blossoms by Diane L. Burns
J 582.16 Bu Trees, leaves, and bark by Diane L. Burns
Y 508 Le The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms by Clare Walker Leslie

Check out the list below for more nature related material!

Nature Notebook Inspired List

This event is for grades K - 5.

SPECIAL EVENT: Dr. Bob's Soundschool and AADL's Music Tools Collection Launch Party

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 9:34am by Employee 37

Learn about the science of sound with Dr. Bob's SoundSchool, presented by the Bob Moog Foundation!

Experience the magic of electronic music while exploring the physics of sound generation and travel; the intertwining of ideas and invention; and the history of Moog Music. This event includes hands-on experimentation with electronic instruments like theremins, synthesizers and oscilloscopes.

Participants will also be the very first to check out AADL's circulating Music Tools collection. The mtools collection features musical gear that you can check out from the Library, from such noted manufacturers as Moog, Korg, Maywa Denki, Bleep Labs, Chamber of Sounds, Folktek, Critter & Guitari and more!

GRADES K-5: Wednesday August 1, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

TEENS & ADULTS: Wednesday August 1, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Glow Lab

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 4:19pm by evelyn

Want to learn how things glow? Come to the Glow Lab on July 30th at 2pm at the Traverwood branch! We’ll learn about what makes objects and animals glow, get some candy that sparks when you crunch on it, and make light magnets and glowing slime to take home.

Want to get a head start? Check out some of these books!

Creatures that Glow, by Kris Hirschmann
Creatures that Glow, by Joanne Barkan
Cold Light: Creatures, Discoveries, and Inventions that Glow, by Anita Sitarski
Glow-in-the-Dark Animals, by Natalie Lunis
Animals that Glow, by Judith Presnall

This event is for kids aged K-5. Glow logo used with permission from http://www.glowinc.com.