Saskatoon Public Library

"Do you love to build with LEGO? Looking for a new adventure? Learn to code with LEGO Robotics. Kids will work in teams to build a robot and program it to move, spin and even talk."

For a stand-alone 1 hour program for 9-13 year olds:
10min intro – asking if anyone had built with Lego before, built a robot before and introducing the parts of the Lego Mindstorm robot. Then I also show them on the projector the different types of programming blocks that they’ll use to make their robot do things.
40 minutes of building and programming – this is done in teams of 3-4 participants. If a team is ‘done’ before 40 mins I encourage them to add more to their code and to add more stuff to their robot to make it look cool.
10 minutes to present their robots to everyone else in the program.

"Drop in and explore our new LEGO® Mindstorms robots. Learn how to make it move and how to program its different sensors to solve multiple challenges. This program is appropriate for both teens and adults."

For a standard 1-time stand-alone program:
10min intro – asking if anyone had built with Lego before, built a robot before and introducing the parts of the Lego Mindstorm robot. Then I also show them on the projector the different types of programming blocks that they’ll use to make their robot do things.
40 minutes of building and programming – this is done in teams of 3-4 participants. If a team is ‘done’ before 40 mins I encourage them to add more to their code and to add more stuff to their robot to make it look cool.
10 minutes to present their robots to everyone else in the program.

You could also offer more of a challenge:
· Have your robot move around a number of objects that I’ve left on the floor
· Introduce a specific sensor and how it works and get them to use it to complete a challenge
o Stop at the black line
o Make the robot back up when the touch sensor is pressed.
If the program is going to run for 2 hours then I would suggest having at least 2 types of challenges for an older group like teens and adults to work on.

We’re also offering a 6-week program with up to 10 participants
· Participants will sign up for the whole 6-weeks of the program
· We will build on their learning each week and work up to using sensors and more complicated coding.
· I’ve attached my program notes from an 8-week version of this program that I did in Halton Hills.

This can also be offered as a 6-week program and have challenges for every week. I don't recommend having more than 10 participants. Anything over 10 I would suggest having 1 robot for every 3 participants that you hope to have in the program. That way there is enough for everyone to do.

Book Camp is a one hour program for kids aged 5-7, reading or ready-to-read. The program consists of:

A Picture Book,
4 or 5 Games based on the theme of the book,
A craft based on the theme of the book,
A short film.
Some extras, like word searches or puzzles to keep kids who are quick with their crafts occupied.

The Saskatoon Public Library has each branch create a book camp program. Each branch's Book Camp program, including all materials and instructions, is packed into a large bin. Each program then circulates through the system, with each branch running each program. Kids who participate in 4 of the 7 programs win a small book prize (i.e. a Beginning Reader book). There are often options for games depending on the size of the programming space, and the numbers of children who attend (as some branches regularly have many children, and other branches regularly have fewer children attending).

This is a challenge based program where tweens can either do the challenges at home or in the library, on their own or with friends. There are 4 sheets with 15 challenges worth 1 to 5 points each. The tweens are given only the first sheet to start. If they complete (or attempt) 10 of the 15 challenges, they will be given the second sheet. They must complete another 10 challenges to receive the third sheet. And yet another 10 challenges to unlock the fourth and final sheet. For every point earned they will be entered into a draw to win one of four $50 gift cards to the mall.

There are also three programs offered during the summer where these tweens could earn 25 bonus points for attending.

Here is the description of the program:
"For tweens ages 9-11, or going into Grades 4-6 next school year
Welcome to the Tween Task Force! Do you have what it takes to complete 60 of the most challenging challenges that were ever challenged? Be careful though, you have to unlock them throughout the summer. The more challenges you unlock, the more points you get, which means more chances to win great prizes! So have fun and prepare yourself for the summer mission of a lifetime!"