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Blog Post

Brainfuse and SAT/ACT prep

by Sunny29

Both the ACT and SAT take place the beginning of December, so now is a great time to get to studying! Brainfuse Helpnow is a database patrons may access from any AADL branch, or from your home computer when logged into your AADL account.

All practice tests are located in SkillSurfer. Simply click SkillSurfer from the homepage then choose College Entrance Test Prep to find the preparation guides and practice tests. Patrons can enhance their practice test experience by connecting to live tutors from 3 - 11 p.m., 7 days a week! Tutors are able to see the test feedback and can help with understanding specific test questions and building skills in various topics.

Be sure to browse the catalog for ACT and SAT test prep books, and check in with Circle K Homework Help session as well!

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Crafts

Paper Airplane Graphing!

Tuesday July 11, 2017: 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Traverwood Branch: Program Room
Grade 1 - 5

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Crafts

Guessing Jars!

Wednesday June 28, 2017: 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room
Grade 1-5

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Blog Post

From the Page to the Screen: Hidden Figures

by PizzaPuppy

The new movie Hidden Figures is in theaters now, and is already generating positive reviews and a plethora of award nominations. This amazing true story, first published as Hidden Figures: the American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, chronicles the trials and tribulations of a group of extraordinarily talented and dedicated African American female mathematicians, whose calculations launched John Glenn into Earth's orbit and won the space race. These "human computers" used slide rules, pencils, and adding machines to perform the advanced mathematics needed to calculate trajectories, launch windows, and navigational charts in case of electrical failures, among others. These brave women faced adversity through sexism and segregation, but persevere through it all to become key players in evolution of NASA and space exploration. This amazing story is also available on audiobook and Large Print.

Author Margot Lee Shetterly will be speaking at Rackham Auditorium on January 24th from 4-8:15 PM. More information is available here.

Looking to learn more about the phenomenal women scientists that propelled us into space? Check out Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars (also available here in Large Print. Or learn more about the many women who have since traveled to outer space through items such as Promised the Moon, Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, and Astronaut Pam: Countdown to Commander (an especially interesting nonfiction movie that follows Commander Pam Melroy and her crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery). We also have books about women inventors, such as Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women.

Also check out our resources regarding two very famous pioneering female astronauts: Mae Jemison and Sally Ride. Books on Sally Ride for an adult audience include this photobiography and Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space. To the Stars, Sally Ride: Life on a Mission, and Who Was Sally Ride? are all intended for kids interested in learning more about Sally Ride. We also have many resources on Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel to space, such as this biography, You Should Meet Mae Jemison or Mae Jemison, Awesome Astronaut!. You can even read books written by the astronaut herself, such as The 100 Year Starship.

Just into space? We have lots for you to check out here at the library, such as Eyewitness Space Exploration, or the Astronaut Handbook. The Dream is Alive is a fascinating DVD that uncovers life on a space station, and witnesses the first space walk performed by an American woman. We also have a Library Space Camp program for kids coming on Thursday, April 6th at the Downtown branch, where you can learn all about what makes a successful astronaut and complete cool space activities.

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Crafts

Crochet a Coral Reef: Hyperbolic Crochet

Sunday December 6, 2015: 1:30pm to 5:30pm
Pittsfield Branch: Program Room
Grade 6 – Adult

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Public Event

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Tutoring

Sum Story Fun: "Pigs On A Blanket"

Saturday February 15, 2014: 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Pittsfield Branch: Program Room
Grades K- 3

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Blog Post

Follow Your Money

by krayla

Follow Your Money: Who Gets It, Who Spends It, Where Does It Go? is a brand new informative book for kids! The introduction explains what money really is and how we started using it (can you imagine buying a rug by trading a camel for it?). The book monetizes everything from your breakfast to making movies, and breaks down the numbers in an approachable way. Cool graphics show the components of a cell phone and the process of making a shoe. It also answers tricky questions like why a hamburger costs more than the ingredients do and how a sale in a clothing store works.

This is sure to be a hit for those interested in how things work and those who haven't found that inspiring math topic yet!

AADL has other great books on money for kids too, such as Money Games: the Business of Sports, Show Me the Money, and The Secret Life of Money: A Kid's Guide to Cash.

For more fun with math, check out the Sum Story Fun events in February: The Lion's Share, Snowflake Bentley, and Pigs on a Blanket.

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Public Event

Science Fun with FEMMES

Saturday February 22, 2014: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Traverwood Branch: Program Room
Grades K - 5