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Library NExT
Library NExT (Network of Education x Training) is a series of workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students on topics including circuits, Python programming language, virology, and 55+ other STEAM courses. Initially started as a pilot program at six San Diego libraries in 2017, it expanded to 24 locations in 2021, and to all City of San Diego library locations in 2022. This San Diego Public Library program is a collaboration with UC San Diego Extension and Sally Ride Science.
For more information, contact us at LibraryNext@sandiego.gov.
Admit One: College Prep Academy
Free SAT/ACT test preparation classes.
Spring 2023 registration opens on 1/28/2023.
Spring 2023 registration opens on 1/28/2023.
Winter 2023 Library NExT Programs
January
Game Development & Design
Saturday, January 7, 2023 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Rancho Bernardo | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Take your first steps in learning how to build a professional 3D game! By examining popular video games, students will explore game mechanics and logic, game engines, tools, and databases to get the resources needed to build a video game. This is a non-programming class. This is an in-person workshop.
Craftronics
Saturday, January 14, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Mira Mesa | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Learn about electronics and circuits while creating a fun crafts project! Previous projects have included a moving origami swan, light-up LED bracelet, and robot bug. This is an in-person workshop.
Squid Dissection
Saturday, January 14, 2023 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Things might get a little inky as we work together to dissesct a real squid. Students will develop scientific research skills as they learn about squids and other ocean animals. This is an in-person workshop.
Tiny Houses
Saturday, January 14, 2023 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Rancho Peñasquitos | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
More and more people are making the move to small, sustainable dwellings. Learn about the Tiny House Movement and then build a model of your own tiny-house design. This is an in-person workshop.
Exploring the Science of Harry Potter
Saturday, January 21, 2023 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Central - Children's Library | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Did you know a lot of the magic in the world of Harry Potter is rooted in real science? Explore how the Harry Potter books and movies reflect concepts in genetics, chemistry, herbology and more. This is an in-person workshop.
Virtual Game Development & Design
Saturday, January 21, 2023 | 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Take your first steps in learning how to build a professional 3D game! By examining popular video games, students will explore game mechanics and logic, game engines, tools, and databases to get the resources needed to build a video game. This is a non-programming class. This is a virtual workshop.
Virtual Disney Style: Act, Sing, Stretch
Thursday, January 26, 2023 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Want to learn how singers and actors get ready for the spotlight? You’ll discover how to use active vocal warm-ups, physical stretches and tongue twisters to loosen up before acting out familiar movie scenes and songs. This is a virtual workshop.
Peering into the Profession of Pharmacy
Saturday, January 28, 2023 | 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: La Jolla/Riford | Level: High School (Grades 9-12)
Did you know that pharmacists are probably the most accessible professionals in the healthcare system? Learn about the fascinating and impactful profession of pharmacy! Through a Q&A conversation with a practicing pharmacist, students will explore several foundational topics, including what pharmacists do, the numerous pharmacy career pathways, and the healthcare professionals who work with pharmacists. This is an in-person workshop.
Virtual Craftronics
Saturday, January 28, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Learn about electronics and circuits while creating a fun crafts project! Previous projects have included a moving origami swan, light-up LED bracelet, and robot bug. This is a virtual workshop.
Messy Science
Saturday, January 28, 2023 | 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Logan Heights | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Ready to get messy in the name of science? We’ll conduct noisy and colorful experiments as we explore the science of volcanoes, rain clouds, glaciers, and more. This is an in-person workshop.
Virtual Rocket Science
Monday, January 30, 2023 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Calling all future rocket scientists! Explore rocket technology and design, and then build and launch your own paper rocket model. This is a virtual workshop.
February
Marine Mammals of California
Saturday, February 4, 2023 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Clairemont | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Get to know the mammals that live off San Diego’s coast, from playful dolphins to majestic whales! Through a variety of activities, students will explore the amazing adaptations of these marine mammals. This is an in-person workshop.
Virtual Space Out
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Middle School (6th-8th Grade)
Buckle your seatbelt and get ready to blast off as you plan your own mission to space! Explore our Earth and then move on to other planets, solar systems, and faraway galaxies. This is a virtual workshop.
Beginner's SketchUp: Designing 3-D Graphics
Saturday, February 11, 2023| 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: University Heights | Level: High School (Grades 9-12)
With 3D modeling, you can design a house, a bridge, a monster – or anything else you can dream up! Learn to use SketchUp Make 3D Modeling to create all sorts of three-dimensional graphic models. This is an in-person workshop.
Craftronics
Saturday, February 11, 2023 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: North Clairemont | Level: Elementary School (3rd-5th Grade)
Learn about electronics and circuits while creating a fun crafts project! Previous projects have included a moving origami swan, light-up LED bracelet, and robot bug. This is an in-person workshop.
Virtual Craftronics
Saturday, February 18, 2023 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Elementary School (3rd-5th Grade)
Learn about electronics and circuits while creating a fun crafts project! Previous projects have included a moving origami swan, light-up LED bracelet, and robot bug. This is a virtual workshop.
Electric Vegetables
Saturday, February 18, 2023 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Paradise Hills | Level: Elementary School (3rd-5th Grade)
Saturday, February 18, 2023 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Paradise Hills | Level: Elementary School (3rd-5th Grade)
Discover the inner workings of batteries! Working together, students will use hands-on problem-solving techniques to figure out how to assemble different components into a working battery and how to measure the voltage created. This is an in-person workshop.
Electronics Breadboard Design Projects
Saturday, February 18, 2023 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: North Park | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Put electric circuits to use! Build a light-sensitive nightlight, sound-effects board, or pocket flashlight while learning how to interpret circuit drawings and use capacitors and transistors. This is an in-person workshop.
Virtual Exploring the Science of Harry Potter
Saturday, February 18, 2023 | 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Did you know a lot of the magic in the world of Harry Potter is rooted in real science? Explore how the Harry Potter books and movies reflect concepts in genetics, chemistry, herbology and more. This is a virtual workshop.
Craftronics
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Learn about electronics and circuits while creating a fun crafts project! Previous projects have included a moving origami swan, light-up LED bracelet, and robot bug. This is an in-person workshop.
Natural Wonders of San Diego
Saturday, February 25, 2023 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Scripps Miramar Ranch | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
The geology of San Diego is as global as it is local. Tour San Diego's various canyons, coastlines, and mountains while investigating the clues our rock record leaves about how things came to be. In parallel, students will use kits to simulate some of the processes that shape the world around them, developing a greater model for their place in the natural world. This is an in-person workshop.
Slime & Non-Newtonian Fluids
Saturday, February 25, 2023 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Skyline Hills | Level: Elementary School (3rd-5th Grade)
It’s slime time! Just like slime, Earth’s glaciers, mudslides, and quaking bogs are made of fluids that are neither liquid nor solid. We’ll use slime to investigate how things work in the natural world. This is an in-person workshop.
Tiny Houses
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Carmel Mountain Ranch | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
More and more people are making the move to small, sustainable dwellings. Learn about the Tiny House Movement and then build a model of your own tiny-house design. This is an in-person workshop.
March
Gorging on Geology
Saturday, March 4, 2023 | 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Point Loma/Hervey | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Desserts meet geology in this delicious scientific mash-up! Students will learn about rocks and minerals while making yummy treats (for instance, sugar crystals) inspired by Earth’s inner layers. This is an in-person workshop.
Note: Each student must have a food release form signed by a parent or guardian. Students who do not have an approved form cannot participate in the class.
Note: Each student must have a food release form signed by a parent or guardian. Students who do not have an approved form cannot participate in the class.
Tiny Houses
Monday, March 6, 2023 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Oak Park | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
More and more people are making the move to small, sustainable dwellings. Learn about the Tiny House Movement and then build a model of your own tiny-house design. This is an in-person workshop.
Electric Vegetables
Monday, March 6, 2023 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Mission Valley | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Discover the inner workings of batteries! Working together, students will use hands-on problem-solving techniques to figure out how to assemble different components into a working battery and how to measure the voltage created. This is an in-person workshop.
Gorging on Geology
Monday, March 6, 2023 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: San Ysidro | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Desserts meet geology in this delicious scientific mash-up! Students will learn about rocks and minerals while making yummy treats (for instance, sugar crystals) inspired by Earth’s inner layers. This is an in-person workshop.
Note: Each student must have a food release form signed by a parent or guardian. Students who do not have an approved form cannot participate in the class.
Note: Each student must have a food release form signed by a parent or guardian. Students who do not have an approved form cannot participate in the class.
Virtual Viruses: Zombies of Biology
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
What do vampires, zombies and viruses all have in common? In this workshop, students will learn about some of the world’s most interesting (and dangerous) diseases, how they are transmitted and why some of them are so harmful to the human body. Students will also find out how viruses relate to pop-culture icons like Spider-man or Venom. This is a virtual workshop.
Virtual Introduction to Python Programming
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 | 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Up your coding game by learning the popular programming language Python. Through hands-on activities, students will learn Python syntax and learn to code simple apps. This is a virtual workshop.
Rocket Science
Saturday, March 11, 2023 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Linda Vista | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Calling all future rocket scientists! Explore rocket technology and design, and then build and launch your own paper rocket model. This is an in-person workshop.
Electric Vegetables
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: University Community | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Discover the inner workings of batteries! Working together, students will use hands-on problem-solving techniques to figure out how to assemble different components into a working battery and how to measure the voltage created. This is an in-person workshop.
Physics of Fidget Spinners
Thursday, March 16, 2023 | 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Allied Gardens/Benjamin Library | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Fidget spinners are fun, but did you know you can learn from them? In this interactive workshop, students will use fidget spinners to explore motion, tension, gravity, and other concepts in physics. This is an in-person workshop.
Gorging on Geology
Saturday, March 18, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Pacific Beach/Taylor | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Desserts meet geology in this delicious scientific mash-up! Students will learn about rocks and minerals while making yummy treats (for instance, sugar crystals) inspired by Earth’s inner layers. This is an in-person workshop.
Note: Each student must have a food release form signed by a parent or guardian. Students who do not have an approved form cannot participate in the class.
Note: Each student must have a food release form signed by a parent or guardian. Students who do not have an approved form cannot participate in the class.
Photography for Social Change
Saturday, March 18, 2023 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Valencia Park/Malcolm X | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Get your camera ready to zoom in on issues you care about! Students will choose a topic that’s important to them and how to professionally document it in photographs. Projects will be compiled to create a group exhibition at the end of the workshop. This is an in-person workshop.
Craftronics
Monday, March 27, 2023 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: College-Rolando | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Learn about electronics and circuits while creating a fun crafts project! Previous projects have included a moving origami swan, light-up LED bracelet, and robot bug. This is an in-person workshop.
LEGO Mindstorm Robotics
Monday, March 27, 2023 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Register Here
Location: Otay Mesa-Nestor | Level: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Dive into the world of robotics! In this workshop, students will learn the basics of robotics and build autonomous robots using the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kit. No prior experience is required. This is an in-person workshop.
Virtual Space Out
Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Register Here
Location: SDPL Virtual Branch | Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Buckle your seatbelt and get ready to blast off as you plan your own mission to space! Explore our Earth and then move on to other planets, solar systems, and faraway galaxies. This is a virtual workshop.
STEAM Videos
The San Diego Public Library is excited to present a series of videos for our Library NExT STEAM programs! These fun videos will inspire and engage students of all ages to keep up on their STEAM studies while experiencing STEAM subjects and entertaining exploration!
For more Library NExT videos click here!
The Great Geography Clues Game
Do you have what it takes to earn the crown of The Great Geography Clues Game? You will be exploring the world, while given several clues along the way in order to guess the famous place or city in question. Take the quiz and then challenge your family and friends to beat your score. Good luck!
Glowies: Crafting with Instamorph
Learn about plastic casting and electronics with Instamorph - a safe, non-toxic, low temperature thermoplastic. Similar to hot glue but you can mold it, or shape it by hand. When it cools, it turns hard again. Put an LED in it while it's soft and attach a coin cell battery to make a "Glowie". The molds are also easy to make, from 100% silicone and cornstarch.
Craftronics: Popsicle Stick Flashlight
Learn how to create a simple circuit flashlight project using the items around the house like popsicle sticks, binder clips and aluminum foil.
Introduction to Python Programming
Get a jump start into python programming. This video covers the installation of python with Anaconda, print statements, and variables. After viewing the video, you have a chance to study python programming with a free textbook provided in the links below.
SketchUp
SketchUp is a free 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architecture, furniture design, 3D printing, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design. In this short video, you will learn how to build a simple 3D object using basic commands and tools which will allow you to turn all your ideas into 3 dimensions.
Partners
This project is funded in whole or in part by the Library Foundation SD.
