The Chickasaw Nation Tribal Library, 1003 Chamber Loop, Ada, Oklahoma, is set to host the annual Summer Reading Program beginning July 16. The program accommodates all children with a heavy focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The Summer Reading Program is open to the public. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
The program will kick off Tuesday, July 16, with the first event taking place 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, July 17. Children will have the opportunity to learn about computer coding through the “Lego Secret Codes” activity during the event. Participants will work together to fashion a top-secret mission using Legos. Each piece assembled will reveal a new letter to help crack the code.
The “Mini Catapult” event 10-11 a.m., Friday, July 19, will help introduce physics to children. During this event, children will create a safe, miniature catapult using Popsicle sticks and a spoon. Students will learn the catapulted object moves farthest when the spoon is drawn back completely.
Youth will have the chance to create friendship bracelets while learning about Chikashshanompa¢ (the Chickasaw language) 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, July 24. The Chickasaw Language Revitalization Program will provide flashcards of Chickasaw colors, animals and sports to add to each bracelet. Beads and string will also be provided.
The “Build a Balloon Car” event will take place 2-3 p.m., Friday, July 26. Attendees will decorate pieces of cardboard and fashion them into a car. An inflated balloon will then be placed on the car. When the balloon begins to deflate, the car will move. The car will eventually come to a stop once the balloon is completely deflated. The “Build a Balloon Car” event showcases Newton’s laws of motion in an elementary manner.
Music classes will take place 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, and Friday, Aug. 2. During the Tuesday class, students will learn about rhythm, pitch and dynamics from the class instructor, Zach Garcia. The lesson will emphasize the use of the Chickasaw language with numbers and animals as students compose their own unique versions of “In the Jungle.” Students will return Friday where the class will focus on film score sessions based on book-to-movie adaptations. Music will be sampled from the “Harry Potter” and “Lord of the Rings” movies as well as from “Te Ata.”
Children will venture through a labyrinth of Legos during the “Lego Maze” event 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6. The activity serves as a programming exercise without the need for computers. In a program, a correct code allows a sequence to function. To simulate, a list of commands is provided during this exercise to move a Lego creation.
The “Magic Milk” event will take place 10-11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8. It will be the final event for the Summer Reading Program. Children will add drops of food coloring into a shallow pan of milk. Then, participants will dip a cotton swab coated in dish soap into the food coloring and milk, causing an exciting colorful reaction. Appearing to be a magic trick, this experiment is a great introductory lesson in chemistry. When dish soap is added to the milk, the soap molecules move around to attach to fat molecules in the milk.
The Chickasaw Nation Tribal Library
The Chickasaw Nation Tribal Library is a community-based family library. Computers and Wi-Fi are available to the public. The tribal library is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A drop box is located outside of the library for returning materials after hours. To apply for a library card, visit the library for a library card application. Application forms can be returned to the library in person or emailed to TribalLibrary@Chickasaw.net. For more information, call (580) 310-6477.