Heather Ketron Head of Youth Services Ashburn Library Loudoun County Public Library

1. Heather KetronHead of Youth ServicesAshburn LibraryLoudoun County Public Library • Maureen SmithHead of Youth ServicesRust LibraryLoudoun County Public Library

2. Virginia Library Association Annual ConferenceOctober 2011 123 Math & Science

3. Presentation Preview • Background Information • Program Resources • Sample Program Plans & Activities • Questions

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

11. Staff Collaboration- Math

12. Staff Collaboration - Science

13. Staff Collaboration- Past Programs

14. Program Resources • Library collection & databases • Local organizations & agencies • Staff! • Websites • Vendors/Suppliers

15. Sample Summer Programs

16. Sample School-Year Programs

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 …

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.

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”

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.

21. Definitions: • Probabilityis a way of expressing knowledge or belief that an eventwill 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.

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. • Participants will select one or more sentences from a book and tally how many times each letter appears in the sentence. • The group will compile their individual results and give a group report. • The group results will be placed on a class chart (white board) to discuss their conclusions.

23. Further Discussions: What is so strange about these three sentences? This is odd. Do you know why? Try and find out. 15-20 minutes

24. Experiment 2 – Fair Game 15 – 20 minutes • Participants in teams will complete two activities to determine if a game is fair. • 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: • Participant A : gets a point if all players show the same sign (i.e. 3 rocks, 3 papers, 3 scissors). • Participant B: gets a point if only two players show the same signs. • Participant C: gets a point if all players show different signs. • 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.

25. DISCUSSION: Is this game fair? Why? Which player would you rather be? How could the game be made more fair?

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.

27. DISCUSSION: Is this game fair? Why? 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.

28. MATERIALS NEEDED Experiment 1: Alphabetical Chart Pencils Books White Board • Experiment 2: • Activity 1: • 1. Rock, Paper, Scissors Chart • 2. Pencils • Activity 2: • 1. Even or Odd Chart • 2. Pencils • 3. 8 Dice

29. LIBRARY RESOURCES 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

30. Sample Science Program & Activities Research Teams– The Case of the Similar SubstancesWho ransacked the chef’s kitchen? • Figure out what each substance is by performing tests to identify the substances. Step #1: Observation

31. Experiment!

32. Step #2: Check the Physical Properties When mixed with water. When mixed with vinegar.

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!

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

35. Book Talks Database DemoScience Online Video Types of Chemical Reactions Audio Books

36. Mystery Snack & Media Viewing • Bill Nye the Science Guy: Forensic Science • Read the “clues”– ingredients— • Enriched flour • Vegetable oil • Skim milk cheese • Milk • Salt • Paprika • Yeast • What is the mystery snack?

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

38. More Sample Programs and Activities • Your Questions • Contact Us: Heather.Ketron@loudoun.gov Maureen.Smith@loudoun.gov