Kids, News, STEM

STEAM Interview with Dr. Wesley Swingley from NIU!

Sep 10, 2020

Do you love Legos? Well, so does Dr. Swingley! Read on to find out all about astrobiology, microbes, and the great kinds of books that Dr. Swingley loves to read. What is your name?  Wesley Swingley  What is your job title and where do...

READ MORE

Kids, News, STEM

STEAM Interview with Professor Duvall from NIU!

Aug 26, 2020

Do you know what a botanist does? This week, The Children's Department is delighted to welcome Dr. Duvall from NIU's Biology Department, so keep reading to find out more about what a botanist studies, and get some reading ideas to enhance your own...

READ MORE

Kids, News, STEM

STEAM Challenge # 6: Solar Cooker

Aug 25, 2020

Let's take advantage of our August summer sun and cook some food! Sunlight is very powerful. Using a solar cooker, we can use some of that solar energy to heat up some food! This is a great project for kids of all ages (K-12th grade) to learn about...

READ MORE

Kids, News, STEM

STEAM Challenge #5: Pet Worms aka Vermicompost

Aug 6, 2020

Did you know you can raise worms AND they can make compost for your garden? This project can take a while (worms are garden superheroes, but they are slow superheroes), so start now to get ready for next spring. Parents, this could be a good...

READ MORE

Kids, News, STEM

STEAM Interview with Dr. Chris Hill

Aug 4, 2020

This week, the DKPL Children's Department would like to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Chris Hill,  Assistant Professor of Biomechanics at NIU. If you have ever wondered how the brain makes your body work, then read on to find out about Dr....

READ MORE

Kids, News, STEM

Llama, Llama… Diorama? The August Lego Challenge

Jul 30, 2020

Hello, Lego enthusiasts! Miss Julie here, with the August Lego challenge. No, it actually doesn't have to do with llamas... I just love the Llama, Llama books, and I also love to rhyme. But, this month is all about dioramas! What is a diorama, you...

READ MORE

News, STEM

STEAM Interview with Professor Jennifer Koop

Jul 28, 2020

The Children's Department warmly welcomes Dr. Jennifer Koop this week, and thanks her for this fascinating interview. We hope you enjoy reading all about Dr. Koop's research and her favorite books as much as we did. And... wait until you see the...

READ MORE

Family Fun, Kids, News, Reading, STEM

Science Storytime for July 23: Anna and Elsa’s Secret Playtime by Victoria Saxon

Jul 24, 2020

This week we will be reading a story about Anna and Elsa, and their frozen, icy antics in the castle!  Come join us for Anna and Elsa’s Secret Playtime, written by Victoria Saxon, Illustrated by the Disney Storybook Art Team, and published by...

READ MORE

Kids, News, STEM

STEAM Interview with Professor Mitch Irwin!

Jul 11, 2020

Have you ever wondered what an anthropologist does?  Perhaps you have an interest in lemurs?  Then you will love this week's interview.  The Children’s Department would like to issue a warm welcome to Dr. Mitch Irwin, Professor of...

READ MORE

Kids, News, STEM

Stem Challenge #4

Jun 26, 2020

Image Creative Commons licensed by charlene mcbride Reusing Food Scraps This week’s STEM challenge is playing around with food! Would you normally throw out carrot peelings or the bottom of the head of celery? You don’t have to! We’re going to...

READ MORE