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(219) 873-3042 | 100 E. 4th Street, Michigan City, IN 46360 | Open Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Friday-Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Check out our series of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) programs for kids and teens:
 

MCPL STEAM Ahead Kids

Upcoming Events

Programs

An ongoing series of art-related projects offered free at the library. Use your imagination to create a variety of projects.

Design your own working Art Bot in this hands-on STEAM activity. Use your imaginations and get creative!

A video posted by Michigan City Public Library (@michigancitylibrary) on

Sphero mini

Play with Sphero robots and meet J.D., our programmable humanoid robot that talks, dabs, and moonwalks! Fun for the whole family and is suggested for kids ages 5 and up.

JD robot

Build a hovercraft using a balloon and a paper plate! Suggested for children ages 5 and up.

Download hovercraft instructions to complete this project at home or at school:

Hovercraft Instructions

hovercraft

Creative coding emphasizes creativity in computing over technical details. This program supports the development of personal connections to computing by drawing upon creativity, imagination, and interests. Children and families will have fun exploring and creating a variety of interactive media projects using the Scratch programming language, Makey Makey, and the BBC Micro:bit. For children ages 8-18. Kids 12 and under must have a parent or guardian attend the session with them.

Ever wonder what’s inside a computer and how it works? We took apart recycled PC towers and investigated each component to learn what they do.

A video posted by Michigan City Public Library (@michigancitylibrary) on

light painting

Bring your imagination and have fun painting with glow sticks and other luminous utensils on a big screen. Fun for the whole family!

cardboard pulley and automata

Have fun building your own pulley and automaton with cardboard! All supplies will be provided. For kids ages 5 and up. #MCPLSTEAMAheadKids

Build your own roller coaster with pipe foam and race marbles through loops and turns. Suggested for children ages 6 years and up, accompanied by an adult.

Build a shelter out of newspapers!

ozobotsHave fun programming robots! Program the ozobots using color-coding and block-based coding with the Ozoblockly app.

For kids ages 7-18 years old. For more information, call 219-873-3055 and ask for Dave.

Discover how circuits work as you create a greeting card or other artwork that lights up. For information, call 219-873-3045 and ask for Dave.

Download our presentation from MC Maker Fest 2018 on paper circuits with info and links to projects, supplies, and more:

Paper Circuits

Use paper plates and string to put together and decorate wheels that can race and jump ramps in this interactive science program for the family!

Build a rubber band powered car! For ages 7 and up. All materials will be provided. The child must be present to receive materials.

cell phone projectorWe’ll provide all the materials you need to make a projector for your smart phone. Watch videos and view photos on a “big screen.” Limited to the first 20 attendees. This program is for ages 11 through 18 years (if still in high school).

stomp rocketsJoin us to make a rocket from paper and watch your rocket soar from a launchpad made with PVC pipe and a two-liter plastic bottle!

This program is fun for the whole family and is suggested for children ages 7 and up.

 

tinkercad group in makerspace

Join us for a fun, introductory workshop on 3D modeling with Tinkercad. Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding that helps you make or design anything! For ages 12 – 18.  For more info, call 219-873-3045 and ask for Dave or Jonathan.

Who can build the highest tower using just spaghetti and marshmallows? Find out by taking the tower challenge!

Cool Sites

24-7 from the Lawrence Hall of Science

24/7 Science

Science games and hands-on activities.

kids think design logo

Kids Think Design

Learn about the world of design, including graphic design, fashion, architecture, animation, and more. Complete fun design projects to sharpen your skills.

Lissa logo

Lissa Explains It All

Learn how to build your own Web site. Covers HTML, CSS, and more.

National Geographic Kids logo

National Geographic Kids

Play games, watch videos, learn about animals, and places, and get fun facts on the National Geographic Kids website.

Prodigy logo

Prodigy

Prodigy is the fun and interactive role-playing game that helps you learn math. Includes 900 math skills for Grades 1-8.

code logo

Code.org

Anyone can learn how to code! Try these short computer science activities for grades Pre-K through high school, or learn to program through in-depth free courses.

Kinetic City logo

Kinetic City

Kinetic City is an amazing collection of science experiments, games and projects for everyone to enjoy. You can even save the virtual Earth from a science-distorting computer virus.

NASA Kids' Club

NASA Kids' Club

A place to play games and learn about NASA, America’s space agency!

PBS Kids logo

PBS Kids

Games and videos involving art, math, science, engineering and more!

create your own puzzles with puzzlemaker

Puzzlemaker

Create your own word search, math squares, mazes, cryptograms and more with this custom puzzlemaker.

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