Experimenting with Wind

Middle school students came to the Imperatore Library on Monday, March 2 to participate in our first ever Wind Tunnel Design Workshop. In this design challenge, students were encouraged to figure out a way to sustain a flying object in the wind tunnel. They used trial as error as they explored various design issues related to aerodynamics, and were able to come up with several creative ideas.

See some of the experimentation results in the video below.

If you have an idea for a future maker event in the library, let Mrs. Shaurette, Mr. Petkus, or Mrs. Larionoff know.

New Library Lego Wall

The Imperatore Library kicked off the addition of a lego wall to the library makerspace with a week-long challenge to the middle and upper school students. Using both a set of challenge cards and their own imaginations, students made a wide variety of designs. As students experimented, they improved their spatial awareness and problem solving skills. Check out some of the creative constructions below and stop by the library to add your designs to the mix.

The lego wall is added to the library makerspace.

Lexi created a Plinko game, just like the one featured on the gameshow The Price Is Right. If you drop a marble down the contraption, it will bounce around on the lego pegs inside and depending on how it bounces, will end up in various slots at the bottom. Drop the marble from a different slot and that will change the marble's course.

Stasiu completed one of the challenge cards and created a new flag design.

Sphero Challenge

The library hosted our 3rd annual Sphero Challenge for Computer Science Education Week. In order to score points, students programmed robotic Sphero balls to preform various maneuvers using block coding. Two different challenges were set up: the simple "Figure Eight" challenge worth 25 points and the tough "Maze" challenge worth a potential 200 points, which could combine to a total of 225 points. Students from both the middle and upper school participated, with the winners of the challenge spending several hours perfecting their program. Congratulations to the top prize winners - Luca in the upper school and Miles in the middle school! Check out some photos and a video of some of the action below.

Soham, Asher, Matt, Musashi, and Jonah all watch the program run with anticipation. 

Luca follows the Sphero through the maze.

Orli tests out how the Sphero operates over the ramps.

Nick measures the distance to help a friend make his code more precise.

Jonah, Musashi, and Soham start with the simple challenge.

Stasiu double checks his code before testing his program out again.

Halloween Light-Up Cards

During Halloween week, the library hosted an event for both middle and upper school students to come in during lunch to make light-up Halloween cards. In order to light up the cards, students created electrical circuits with copper tape, LEDs, and coin cell batteries. See some of the photos from the event below and be on the lookout for future library maker events!

Sphero Challenge

Last week the Imperatore Library held our second annual Sphero Challenge in honor of Computer Science Education Week. Students in the middle and upper school participated by coding a robotic ball through two challenges, a simple figure eight and a more complicated maze. This took a lot of patience and perseverance as many teams experienced frustration with various aspects of the Sphero and the course. See some photos and videos below of the challenge.

10th grader Joey programs the tough course.

Jake, John, Jonah, and Stasiu attempt the tough challenge.

Two middle school teams try to get final points on the last day of the challenge. 

The Simple Figure Eight Challenge:

The Tough Maze Challenge:

If you didn't get to participate this year, look out for Sphero Challenge 2019!

Domino Rally

Students gathered in the library after school on Monday, November 5 to build elaborate domino structures in hopes of one massive knockdown. Great perseverance was practiced as smaller sections were occasionally knocked down but the students just picked up the dominoes and started over again. While we didn't end up with one massive connected strand of dominoes, several smaller projects were built and captured on video. Thanks to everyone who participated. Check out the photos and a video of all the fun had below!

Jack and George use a wooden plank to bridge the gap between the bookshelves. 

Delilah and Victor keep a color scheme in mind as they set up their domino sets.

A group of middle school students work to combine two domino strands.

A group of upper school students combine several strands of dominoes.

Several complex strands of dominoes were set up across tables and countertops.

Domino Rally

On Monday, the Imperatore Library turned into Domino Central as students and teachers from the middle and upper school set up elaborate constructions and then they watched in glee as each one was knocked down. Several participants came up with really creative ideas. See some photo and video highlights below!

Dominoes take over the library!

Groups work together to build domino segments.

(Video Credit: Victor Appavu)

(Photos and Video Credit: Carrie Shaurette)

Sphero Challenge

For Computer Science Education Week, the library hosted our very first Sphero Challenge. Using the SpheroEdu app, students set up a program that would control the small robot using block coding. They could participate in the easier "Figure 8 Challenge" or the more difficult "Sphero Maze" where points were attained by accomplishing certain tasks. Utilizing time during lunch, free periods, and after school, participants came back repeatedly over the course of the week to try and beat the highest score. Check out some photos and videos from the week below:

Several 9th grade participants try out the Sphero Maze.

Thomas and Kate each execute their programs on the difficult course.

Victor, Isato, and Sujan get started on the SpheroEdu app.

Jake decides to measure the course in order to create his code.

Jason and Delilah finish the Figure 8 Challenge.

If you missed out on this week, look out for another Sphero event sometime in the near future!

Electronic Greeting Cards

On Tuesday, November 28, a group of students gathered in the library to make light up greeting cards during a maker event hosted by the Library and Computer Services Departments. First, students decided whether to make a birthday or holiday card and created a design. Next, they built a circuit using LED lights, coin cell batteries, and copper tape. Finally, they put it all together and watched their creations glow. Check out some of the final cards below!

A group starts by deciding on their card designs.

Aaryan plans out where to put the copper tape on his circuit.

Jason sets up the circuit on his card.

Kyle uses a Christmas tree as his background.

Allison tests out the lights on her circuit.

Delilah used various lights to illuminate her card.

Channing works on a card for her sister.

Quincy shows off his finished product.

Max and Isato added a three dimensional element to their cards.

If you missed this event and still want to have some maker fun, stop by the library this week to participate in the Sphero Challenge for Computer Science Education Week. 

Electric Origami

Due to the popularity of last year's Electric Origami event, the Library and Computer Services Departments decided to offer another chance to explore 3D design and circuitry. Students were again provided with a license to the Foldify app where they designed a three-dimensional figure. After printing and cutting them out, students built electrical circuits in order to add lights to their creations.

Luc and Joe design their creations in the Foldify app.

The group works on their 3D designs.

Nicholas builds a Pac Man arcade game.

Isato and Celine work on the construction of their creations.

Audrey, Emily, and Sophie work together on a Foldify creation.

Isabelle shows another student how to get an LED to light up using a battery.

Victor builds a circuit using copper tape inside his house.

Luke carefully designs his circuit in order to light up his LEDs.

Maggie works on her design while Celine builds a circuit.

Isabelle shows off her elaborate contraption.

Celine made several different creations, using LEDs in different ways.

If you have an idea for another library event, contact Mrs. Shaurette or Mr. Petkus in the library.