Library NExT
The Library NExT (Network of Education x Training) program features classes about topics such as robotics, circuits, “messy” science, 3D modeling and college planning. It started as a pilot program in six San Diego libraries in early 2017 and will be expanding to more branches throughout the city.
The Physics of Fidget Spinners
September 23, noon - 3 p.m. | Logan Heights Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
Ever wonder why your friends fidget spinner spins longer than yours? Why some spinners are louder than others? In this workshop, the physics of fidget spinners become tangible, unlocking a world of intuition! Join us to explore a fantastic phenomenon where energy is conserved, and entropy is increasing. Witness, first hand, the transitions from chemistry, to motion to heat. See the forces of tension and gravity. Learn how a fidget spinner is a ticket to exploring the laws that shape our universe. In this workshop class you can rest assured that the teacher will not confiscate your fidget spinner.
Music and Your Brain
September 23, 2 - 5 p.m. | Mira Mesa Library | Register Here
Level: High School (9th - 12th Grade)
Join us to explore how music affects your brain and body in physical, cognitive, and emotional ways. Each of us has our own unique connections with music, yet there are many reactions and interactions to music that we all share. We will discover how music relates to topics like cultural identity, history, math and science. The focus of this class will be built around musical activities and group work as students discover new ways to “think musically.”
The Physics of Fidget Spinners
September 30, noon - 3 p.m. | Logan Heights Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
Ever wonder why your friends fidget spinner spins longer than yours? Why some spinners are louder than others? In this workshop, the physics of fidget spinners become tangible, unlocking a world of intuition! Join us to explore a fantastic phenomenon where energy is conserved, and entropy is increasing. Witness, first hand, the transitions from chemistry, to motion to heat. See the forces of tension and gravity. Learn how a fidget spinner is a ticket to exploring the laws that shape our universe. In this workshop class you can rest assured that the teacher will not confiscate your fidget spinner.
Make Your Own Inflatables
Sept. 30, Oct. 14, 21 & 28 (4 classes) |1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Tierrasanta Branch Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
Explore the fascinating world of bubbles! Discover the intersection of engineering, architecture, art and nature through amazing experiments with bubbles and inflatables. As inventors and designers we will be building our own unique constructions through the iterative design-to-build process and creating giant inflatables from ordinary plastic bags! No experience required.
Introduction to Circuits
September 30, noon - 4 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
Do electronics and bananas go together? Absolutely! Learn how to create fun circuits using Makey-Makey circuit boards that can be expanded and accentuated with everyday items like a banana, tin foil or a bouncy ball. Science and art will collide as the technology of circuits is used to create art in the form of music, paintings and photographs.
Introduction to Python Programming
Oct. 1, 22, 29, Nov. 5 & 12 (5 Classes) | 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Mira Mesa Library | Register Here
Level: High School (9th - 12th Grade)
This course will introduce students to computer programming via the Python programming language. Each class will consist of a brief lecture, followed by a self-guided demo. The course will cover basic topics in programming, such as arithmetic and Boolean expressions, string manipulation, conditional statements, for and while loops, I/O, and abstract functions. Attention will be paid to helping students develop good programming habits and code documentation. Students will be evaluated with weekly problem sets and a final project.
Slimy Sea Creatures
October 7, noon - 3 p.m.| Logan Heights Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
Learn about slimy sea creatures like octopuses, sea stars, sand dollars and moon snails, to name a few. Observe a squid dissection and write your name in squid-ink while learning about anatomical structures of sea creatures. Discover the secret of how octopuses change color and what makes pearls. Become a marine biologist and investigate what kind of invertebrate you would like to be! Create artwork to take home using different types of seashells and other materials from Mother Earth.
SAT Test Prep
October 7, 14, 21 & 28 (4 Sessions) | Skyline Hills Library | Register Here
Level: High School (9th - 12th Grade)
Students must attend all 4 sessions.
This SAT® course is for the student whose busy lifestyle demands efficient prep in a condensed amount of time. The course focuses on the test topics that impact your score the most! Our UCSD team will help you score higher on the SAT® test with exclusive test-taking tactics designed to increase your score. This course is geared towards current 11th and 12th grade students. Students will receive a textbook and 16 hours of instruction across 4 days. After you take the practice tests, we’ll carefully analyze the results together. It is important that students enrolling in the course attend all sessions.
SAT Test Prep
October 7, 14, 21 & 28 (4 Sessions) | Linda Vista Library | Register Here
Level: High School (11th - 12th Grade)
Students must attend all 4 sessions.
For the student whose busy lifestyle demands efficient prep in a condensed amount of time, this SAT® course focuses on the test topics that impact your score the most! Our UCSD team will help you score higher on the SAT® by teaching you special test-taking strategies.
This FREE course is geared towards current 11th and 12th grade students. You will attend 4 sessions, each containing 4 hours of instruction. You will also receive a textbook and the opportunity to take a practice SAT test. After the practice test, we’ll carefully analyze the results together and find out the many ways you can improve your score!
Slimy Sea Creatures
October 10, 4 - 7 p.m. | City Heights Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
Learn about slimy sea creatures like octopuses, sea stars, sand dollars and moon snails, to name a few. Observe a squid dissection and write your name in squid-ink while learning about anatomical structures of sea creatures. Discover the secret of how octopuses change color and what makes pearls. Become a marine biologist and investigate what kind of invertebrate you would like to be! Create artwork to take home using different types of seashells and other materials from Mother Earth.
Messy Science
October 14, 1 - 4 p.m. | Rancho Peñasquitos Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
In this workshop format class we explore the beauty, mysteries and facts about our planet earth. Using tools and materials from our modern world we will re-enact some of the physics, chemistry, and biology that make earth unique in the Known Space. Hands-on activities will be punctuated with sounds of boom, crash, zip and slime! The class is configurable to different lessons each focusing on an aspect of that include topics of glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, permafrost, sea level rise and tsunamis. During these workshops students will design things, test things, throw things, and stomp on things. Using our newfound knowledge of our earth system we will use our imaginations to make our planet a more fun place.
Introductions to Circuits
October 14 & 15, 2 - 5 p.m. | Mira Mesa Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
Do electronics and bananas go together? Absolutely! Learn how to create fun circuits using Makey-Makey circuit boards that can be expanded and accentuated with everyday items like a banana, tin foil or a bouncy ball. Science and art will collide as the technology of circuits is used to create art in the form of music, paintings and photographs.
Messy Science - Earth
October 18, 5 - 7 p.m. | Linda Vista Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
In this workshop format class we explore the beauty, mysteries and facts about our planet earth. Using tools and materials from our modern world we will re-enact some of the physics, chemistry, and biology that make earth unique in the Known Space. Hands-on activities will be punctuated with sounds of boom, crash, zip and slime! The class is configurable to different lessons each focusing on an aspect of that include topics of glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, permafrost, sea level rise and tsunamis. During these workshops students will design things, test things, throw things, and stomp on things. Using our newfound knowledge of our earth system we will use our imaginations to make our planet a more fun place.
Messy Science
October 28, 1 - 4 p.m. | Rancho Peñasquitos Library | Register Here
Level: Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)
In this workshop format class we explore the beauty, mysteries and facts about our planet earth. Using tools and materials from our modern world we will re-enact some of the physics, chemistry, and biology that make earth unique in the Known Space. Hands-on activities will be punctuated with sounds of boom, crash, zip and slime! The class is configurable to different lessons each focusing on an aspect of that include topics of glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, permafrost, sea level rise and tsunamis. During these workshops students will design things, test things, throw things, and stomp on things. Using our newfound knowledge of our earth system we will use our imaginations to make our planet a more fun place.
Recently Offered
Introduction to Circuits using Makey-Makey
Do electronics and bananas go together? Absolutely! Learn how to create fun circuits using Makey-Makey circuit boards that can be expanded and accentuated with everyday items like a banana, tin foil or a bouncy ball. Science and art will collide as the technology of circuits is used to create art in the form of music, paintings and photographs.
Virtual Reality with Google Cardboard
Join the Virtual Reality technology movement that simulates experiences (like going on a roller coaster) using Google Cardboard (a Virtual Reality viewer). Work in groups to create your own virtual reality interactive tools and games and learn basic concepts of stereoscopy. Gain experience in C+ programming, 3D modeling and learn how to use the popular UNITY game engine. No prior experience with computer programming or 3D modeling is required.
Make Your Own Inflatables
Explore the fascinating world of bubbles! Discover the intersection of engineering, architecture, art and nature through amazing experiments with bubbles and inflatables. As inventors and designers we will be building our own unique constructions through the iterative design-to-build process and creating giant inflatables from ordinary plastic bags! No experience required.
Introduction to Robotics with LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3
Learn basic concepts of robotics and then build robots using the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 kit while using basic flowchart programming to create autonomous robots. Working in groups, compete in science instrument deployment competitions using multiple sensors on the robots. No prior experience with robotics or programming is required.
Introduction to Video game Programming with Unity
What better way to learn introductory concepts of computer science than within a video game environment powered by the popular Unity game engine as a visualization tool! Using the C# scripting language, learn code structure and syntax, conditional statements, loops, functions, data structures and write and run simple scripts. After learning how to handle user input, object collision and interface design, create your own simple video game!
Messy Science - Atmosphere
In this workshop format class we explore the beauty, mysteries and facts about our planet earth. Using tools and materials from our modern world we will re-enact some of the physics, chemistry, and biology that make earth unique in the Known Space. Hands-on activities will be punctuated with sounds of boom, crash, zip and slime! The class is configurable to different lessons each focusing on an aspect of that include topics of glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, permafrost, sea level rise and tsunamis. During these workshops students will design things, test things, throw things, and stomp on things. Using our newfound knowledge of our earth system we will use our imaginations to make our planet a more fun place.
