Summer STEM – DIY DNA

Summer STEM – DIY DNA

DIY DNA

Week 5 of Summer STEM from Your Library
Watch the Instruction Video

Solve who broke into the Bears’ house and ate their porridge by making this tasty DNA strand. There are four types of chemical bases in DNA. They always form the same pairs. Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T), and Cytosine (C) always pairs with Guanine (G) Write in a jellybean color for each chemical base to make sure you pair them properly!
A: ___________________
T: ___________________
G: ___________________
C: ___________________

Put a jellybean on one end of a toothpick.
Match your chemical base pairs by adding the second jellybean. Remember that A always pairs with T, and C always pairs with G!
Push the tip of each toothpick into a licorice twist on either end. Give it a twist to see the shape of a double helix.

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

Kid + Tween JUNE Activities

SUMMER READING 2022- OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES School is out and the sun is (mostly) shining... that means it is now SUMMER READING! Sign up at the booth in the front foyer. You can also sign up through the app Beanstack. 1st prizes: starts June 21st2nd prizes: starts...

APRIL Kid + Tween Activities

 FAMILY FRIENDLY FILM NIGHTS  Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday @ 4pm in the Community Room. SCHEDULE:April 19th: The Secret Garden (1949) Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older.     KID + TWEEN STEAM KITS For ages 6-11. Now in person!Every 1st...

Kid + Tween STEAM: Q Tip Bow & Arrow

Have lots of fun with this very mini bow and arrow! Materials needed: Popsicle sticks Q-tips Duct tape (to decorate) Dental floss From home: pencil, nail clippers, marker, and scissors Note: soak popsicle stick in a bowl of warm water before starting

Kid + Tween STEAM: Halley’s Comet Catcher

Make a fun comet catcher! Materials needed: Foil, folded Square piece of paper - origami size in the kit Yarn Model magic 

Kid + Tween STEAM: Pigpen Cipher

Can you stump your friends and family with the ciphers you create? Gather the materials below and follow the instructions to find out how!  Cipher papers (images coming soon) 2 Brads

Kid + Tween STEAM: Pom Pom Poppers!

Have lots of POPPING fun with this Pom-Pom Popper! The kit includes: Paper clips Balloons Rubber bands Launch material Directions: 1 - Cut the bottom off of the paper cup.2 - Tie a knot at the open end of the balloon.3 - Cut the top 1/2 inch of the balloon off,...

Kid + Tween STEAM: Catapult!

LOOK OUT!  This awesome catapult will send things FLYING. Here is what you will need to put this together:   10 pencils  Spoon 16 rubber bands Soft launching materials (pom-poms, marshmallows, etc)

Kid + Tween STEAM: Blubber Bag & Bird Feeder

Our first Take N' Go STEAM kit for October is learning how creatures survive and thrive in cold climates. The kit comes with a super cool BLUBBER BAG, plus supplies to make a bird feeder. You will need: Crisco (from the Blubber Bag)  Pine cone String Sunflower seeds...

September Kids + Tween STEAM Craft

Find out why cats' eyes glow with this craft! Materials needed: Clean can Scissors 4x4 black trash bag piece Rubber band Flashlight

Grab Lab – Hansel and Gretel’s Compass

Grab Lab – Hansel and Gretel’s Compass

Always find north with this simple compass! Make sure you have an adult help you for this craft. You will need:

  • a bar magnet
  • a large bowl
  • a smaller bowl (needs to fit the magnet on the bottom)
  • a piece of cardboard or paper that fits over the small bowl
  • tape
  • a marker
  • water

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

Summer STEM – Charm the Dragon

Experiment with static electricity and charm a tissue paper dragon! Place your tissue paper over your dragon template. Trace the lines and cut out your dragon. Place your dragon on the sheet of tin foil. Bend the head slightly towards you. Rub your pen against the...

Teen Summer Crafts – Wizard Wand Pens

Create these wands and personalize them however you want! You will need: paper Glue pen (optional) paint (optional) paintbrush (optional) tissue paper

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens This summer, we'll be doing video crafting focusing on STEM activities. Our Kids' Corner and Tween Scene web pages will have links to videos with the instructions and demonstrations for each craft activity. You can come by and pick up a...

Summer STEM – Coded Messages

Encode hidden messages with a crayon and water color paint! Use the white crayon to write out your message on a blank piece of paper. To reveal your message, paint over it with watercolors. Pro tip: Encode your message before writing it in white to add another layer....

Teen Summer Crafts – Harry Potter Bookmarks

Color these Hogwarts bookmarks. Don't forget the tassle! You will need: printed bookmark template (preferably on cardstock) yarn contact paper

Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

Experiment with air resistance by making parachutes! You will need string, a straw, a sandwich bag and/or coffee filter, and a toy figure.  Pull one of the strings through the straw. Cut off the zipper portion of the bag. Reach into the bag and pull both bottom...

Teen Summer Crafts – Dragon Eggs

Make these incredible dragon eggs! You will need: 150-200 thumb tacks styrofoam egg desired color(s) of fingernail polish

Summer STEM – Film Canister Rocket

Learn about Newton's 3rd Law with these film canister rockets! Do this activity with an accompanying adult. You will need antacid tablets and a film canister. In an OUTDOOR place, put one antacid tablet in the film canister. Do the next steps quickly: 2. Add a tsp of...

Sign up Grab Labs

  UPDATE: These kits have all been taken, but you can still watch the instructional videos to follow along with your own supplies!In place of our in-person STEM activities, we are offering these grab labs for kids ages 6-11. There are 29 kits available, so be...

Grab Lab – Hickory Dickory Water Clock

Water clocks have been used for centuries to tell time. Build your own using cardboard and cups! This week you will need: a long piece of cardboard 3 disposable cups 2 push pins a glass of water (not provided) a marker (not provided) a timer (not provided) Once you've...

Grab Lab – Ariel’s Periscope

Grab Lab – Ariel’s Periscope

Periscopes use mirrors to relay light and let you see around corners. Here’s how to build your own! You will need:

  • a pool noodle
  • duct tape
  • two 2 inch round mirrors
  • a protractor (optional)
  • scissors
  • a piece of paper
  • a marker

If you signed up for a Grab Lab and need some duct tape, come by the library and we can help you.

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

Summer STEM – Charm the Dragon

Experiment with static electricity and charm a tissue paper dragon! Place your tissue paper over your dragon template. Trace the lines and cut out your dragon. Place your dragon on the sheet of tin foil. Bend the head slightly towards you. Rub your pen against the...

Teen Summer Crafts – Wizard Wand Pens

Create these wands and personalize them however you want! You will need: paper Glue pen (optional) paint (optional) paintbrush (optional) tissue paper

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens This summer, we'll be doing video crafting focusing on STEM activities. Our Kids' Corner and Tween Scene web pages will have links to videos with the instructions and demonstrations for each craft activity. You can come by and pick up a...

Summer STEM – Coded Messages

Encode hidden messages with a crayon and water color paint! Use the white crayon to write out your message on a blank piece of paper. To reveal your message, paint over it with watercolors. Pro tip: Encode your message before writing it in white to add another layer....

Teen Summer Crafts – Harry Potter Bookmarks

Color these Hogwarts bookmarks. Don't forget the tassle! You will need: printed bookmark template (preferably on cardstock) yarn contact paper

Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

Experiment with air resistance by making parachutes! You will need string, a straw, a sandwich bag and/or coffee filter, and a toy figure.  Pull one of the strings through the straw. Cut off the zipper portion of the bag. Reach into the bag and pull both bottom...

Teen Summer Crafts – Dragon Eggs

Make these incredible dragon eggs! You will need: 150-200 thumb tacks styrofoam egg desired color(s) of fingernail polish

Summer STEM – Film Canister Rocket

Learn about Newton's 3rd Law with these film canister rockets! Do this activity with an accompanying adult. You will need antacid tablets and a film canister. In an OUTDOOR place, put one antacid tablet in the film canister. Do the next steps quickly: 2. Add a tsp of...

Sign up Grab Labs

  UPDATE: These kits have all been taken, but you can still watch the instructional videos to follow along with your own supplies!In place of our in-person STEM activities, we are offering these grab labs for kids ages 6-11. There are 29 kits available, so be...

Grab Lab – Hickory Dickory Water Clock

Water clocks have been used for centuries to tell time. Build your own using cardboard and cups! This week you will need: a long piece of cardboard 3 disposable cups 2 push pins a glass of water (not provided) a marker (not provided) a timer (not provided) Once you've...

Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

Parachute Knight

Week 3 of Summer STEM from Your Library
Watch the Instruction Video

Experiment with air resistance by making parachutes!

You will need string, a straw, a sandwich bag and/or coffee filter, and a toy figure. 

  1. Pull one of the strings through the straw. Cut off the zipper portion of the bag.
  2. Reach into the bag and pull both bottom corners in so they’re inside the bag.
  3. Tie an end of the string to each bottom corner of the bag.
  4. Pull the next string through the straw. Tie the ends to the knight.

 

 

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

Kid + Tween JUNE Activities

SUMMER READING 2022- OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES School is out and the sun is (mostly) shining... that means it is now SUMMER READING! Sign up at the booth in the front foyer. You can also sign up through the app Beanstack. 1st prizes: starts June 21st2nd prizes: starts...

APRIL Kid + Tween Activities

 FAMILY FRIENDLY FILM NIGHTS  Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday @ 4pm in the Community Room. SCHEDULE:April 19th: The Secret Garden (1949) Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older.     KID + TWEEN STEAM KITS For ages 6-11. Now in person!Every 1st...

Kid + Tween STEAM: Q Tip Bow & Arrow

Have lots of fun with this very mini bow and arrow! Materials needed: Popsicle sticks Q-tips Duct tape (to decorate) Dental floss From home: pencil, nail clippers, marker, and scissors Note: soak popsicle stick in a bowl of warm water before starting

Kid + Tween STEAM: Halley’s Comet Catcher

Make a fun comet catcher! Materials needed: Foil, folded Square piece of paper - origami size in the kit Yarn Model magic 

Kid + Tween STEAM: Pigpen Cipher

Can you stump your friends and family with the ciphers you create? Gather the materials below and follow the instructions to find out how!  Cipher papers (images coming soon) 2 Brads

Kid + Tween STEAM: Pom Pom Poppers!

Have lots of POPPING fun with this Pom-Pom Popper! The kit includes: Paper clips Balloons Rubber bands Launch material Directions: 1 - Cut the bottom off of the paper cup.2 - Tie a knot at the open end of the balloon.3 - Cut the top 1/2 inch of the balloon off,...

Kid + Tween STEAM: Catapult!

LOOK OUT!  This awesome catapult will send things FLYING. Here is what you will need to put this together:   10 pencils  Spoon 16 rubber bands Soft launching materials (pom-poms, marshmallows, etc)

Kid + Tween STEAM: Blubber Bag & Bird Feeder

Our first Take N' Go STEAM kit for October is learning how creatures survive and thrive in cold climates. The kit comes with a super cool BLUBBER BAG, plus supplies to make a bird feeder. You will need: Crisco (from the Blubber Bag)  Pine cone String Sunflower seeds...

September Kids + Tween STEAM Craft

Find out why cats' eyes glow with this craft! Materials needed: Clean can Scissors 4x4 black trash bag piece Rubber band Flashlight

Summer STEM – Coded Messages

Summer STEM – Coded Messages

Coded Messages

Week 2 of Summer STEM from Your Library
Watch the Video Instructions

Encode hidden messages with a crayon and water color paint!

  • Use the white crayon to write out your message on a blank piece of paper.
  • To reveal your message, paint over it with watercolors.

Pro tip: Encode your message before writing it in white to add another layer. Try a Caesar Cipher.

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

Kid + Tween JUNE Activities

SUMMER READING 2022- OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES School is out and the sun is (mostly) shining... that means it is now SUMMER READING! Sign up at the booth in the front foyer. You can also sign up through the app Beanstack. 1st prizes: starts June 21st2nd prizes: starts...

APRIL Kid + Tween Activities

 FAMILY FRIENDLY FILM NIGHTS  Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday @ 4pm in the Community Room. SCHEDULE:April 19th: The Secret Garden (1949) Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older.     KID + TWEEN STEAM KITS For ages 6-11. Now in person!Every 1st...

Kid + Tween STEAM: Q Tip Bow & Arrow

Have lots of fun with this very mini bow and arrow! Materials needed: Popsicle sticks Q-tips Duct tape (to decorate) Dental floss From home: pencil, nail clippers, marker, and scissors Note: soak popsicle stick in a bowl of warm water before starting

Kid + Tween STEAM: Halley’s Comet Catcher

Make a fun comet catcher! Materials needed: Foil, folded Square piece of paper - origami size in the kit Yarn Model magic 

Kid + Tween STEAM: Pigpen Cipher

Can you stump your friends and family with the ciphers you create? Gather the materials below and follow the instructions to find out how!  Cipher papers (images coming soon) 2 Brads

Kid + Tween STEAM: Pom Pom Poppers!

Have lots of POPPING fun with this Pom-Pom Popper! The kit includes: Paper clips Balloons Rubber bands Launch material Directions: 1 - Cut the bottom off of the paper cup.2 - Tie a knot at the open end of the balloon.3 - Cut the top 1/2 inch of the balloon off,...

Kid + Tween STEAM: Catapult!

LOOK OUT!  This awesome catapult will send things FLYING. Here is what you will need to put this together:   10 pencils  Spoon 16 rubber bands Soft launching materials (pom-poms, marshmallows, etc)

Kid + Tween STEAM: Blubber Bag & Bird Feeder

Our first Take N' Go STEAM kit for October is learning how creatures survive and thrive in cold climates. The kit comes with a super cool BLUBBER BAG, plus supplies to make a bird feeder. You will need: Crisco (from the Blubber Bag)  Pine cone String Sunflower seeds...

September Kids + Tween STEAM Craft

Find out why cats' eyes glow with this craft! Materials needed: Clean can Scissors 4x4 black trash bag piece Rubber band Flashlight

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens


This summer, we’ll be doing video crafting focusing on STEM activities. Our Kids’ Corner and Tween Scene web pages will have links to videos with the instructions and demonstrations for each craft activity.

You can come by and pick up a Grab-n-Go craft bag with all supplies needed for the activity. These bags will be available on the first Monday of each week. We only have a limited number of these, so once they’re gone, they’re gone! We’ve included the lists of supplies for each craft in case you don’t get one of the Grab-n-Go bags. That way, you may use your own supplies and follow along with our videos.

Themes and Crafts for June:

  • June 16  Dragons- Charm the Dragon (Dragon Snake Charmer)
    • tissue paper
    • ball-point pen
    • wool
    • aluminum foil sheet
  • June 22  Royalty- Communicate with the princess in the Tower (Secret Codes)
    • white crayon
    • water color paint
  • June 29  Jack and the Beanstalk- Need a way down (Ziploc bag parachute)
    • ziploc bag
    • yarn or string
    • knight toy
    • big straw

Themes and Crafts for July:

  • July 6  Three Little Pigs- Scare the wolf (film canister rocket)
    • plastic film canister
    • antacid tablet
  • July 13  Goldilocks- Who dunnit? (DIY DNA)
    • licorice twists
    • 4 colors of jellybeans
    • a handful of toothpicks
  • July 20  Cave of Wonders- Wishes in the lights (bubble lamp in a bag)
    • Ziploc bag
    • antacid tablet
    • water
    • oil
    • UV light
    • highlighter
    • paper towel

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

Summer STEM – Charm the Dragon

Summer STEM – Charm the Dragon

Charm the Dragon

Week 1 of Summer STEM from Your Library
Watch the Instruction Video

Experiment with static electricity and charm a tissue paper dragon!

  • Place your tissue paper over your dragon template. Trace the lines and cut out your dragon.

  • Place your dragon on the sheet of tin foil. Bend the head slightly towards you.

  • Rub your pen against the wool for at LEAST a minute.

  • Hold the pen near the head of your dragon and wave it. The head will rise to meet the pen.

  • Experiment with other ways you can build a static charge. Will a balloon work better?

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

Kid + Tween JUNE Activities

SUMMER READING 2022- OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES School is out and the sun is (mostly) shining... that means it is now SUMMER READING! Sign up at the booth in the front foyer. You can also sign up through the app Beanstack. 1st prizes: starts June 21st2nd prizes: starts...

APRIL Kid + Tween Activities

 FAMILY FRIENDLY FILM NIGHTS  Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday @ 4pm in the Community Room. SCHEDULE:April 19th: The Secret Garden (1949) Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older.     KID + TWEEN STEAM KITS For ages 6-11. Now in person!Every 1st...

Kid + Tween STEAM: Q Tip Bow & Arrow

Have lots of fun with this very mini bow and arrow! Materials needed: Popsicle sticks Q-tips Duct tape (to decorate) Dental floss From home: pencil, nail clippers, marker, and scissors Note: soak popsicle stick in a bowl of warm water before starting

Kid + Tween STEAM: Halley’s Comet Catcher

Make a fun comet catcher! Materials needed: Foil, folded Square piece of paper - origami size in the kit Yarn Model magic 

Kid + Tween STEAM: Pigpen Cipher

Can you stump your friends and family with the ciphers you create? Gather the materials below and follow the instructions to find out how!  Cipher papers (images coming soon) 2 Brads

Kid + Tween STEAM: Pom Pom Poppers!

Have lots of POPPING fun with this Pom-Pom Popper! The kit includes: Paper clips Balloons Rubber bands Launch material Directions: 1 - Cut the bottom off of the paper cup.2 - Tie a knot at the open end of the balloon.3 - Cut the top 1/2 inch of the balloon off,...

Kid + Tween STEAM: Catapult!

LOOK OUT!  This awesome catapult will send things FLYING. Here is what you will need to put this together:   10 pencils  Spoon 16 rubber bands Soft launching materials (pom-poms, marshmallows, etc)

Kid + Tween STEAM: Blubber Bag & Bird Feeder

Our first Take N' Go STEAM kit for October is learning how creatures survive and thrive in cold climates. The kit comes with a super cool BLUBBER BAG, plus supplies to make a bird feeder. You will need: Crisco (from the Blubber Bag)  Pine cone String Sunflower seeds...

September Kids + Tween STEAM Craft

Find out why cats' eyes glow with this craft! Materials needed: Clean can Scissors 4x4 black trash bag piece Rubber band Flashlight

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