Kids get creative at Stanislaus library’s Science Week

Thaumatrope. It’s a big word for a fun, simple toy that children will make Tuesday at the Modesto branch of the Stanislaus County Library as a Science Week activity.

Popular in the 19th century, a thaumatrope typically is a paper circle with a picture on the back and front, attached to two pieces of string. When the paper is twirled, the pictures appear to merge. A common design is a bird on one side and a cage on the back, so when spun, the bird is caged.

Science Week kicked off Monday at the library, when children made little structures from minimarshmallows and toothpicks. The kids’ building skills were tested when their creations were given an earthquakelike shake test on a cart.

The educational fun will continue Wednesday when children will make a simple DNA model using gumdrops and red licorice, and Thursday when the creation of the day will be “slime.” Typically, the slime is made from school glue, dye, borax or liquid starch, and other ingredients. One educational website calls it “great visual tool for introducing students to the properties of polymers.”

Plus, “it’s pretty fun” to make and play with, said Laura Ferrell, community outreach coordinator for the Stanislaus County Library.

The activities Tuesday through Thursday are at 1:30 p.m. in the children’s area on the main floor of the library, 1500 I St. The library is closed Friday, but Science Week will wrap up Saturday with a fun, science-themed movie at 1 p.m. in the story hour room. All events are free.

This week includes a “Find the Mad Scientist” contest, in which children will be entered into a prize drawing once they find the hidden scientist, a little cutout that is moved around the children’s area each day.

No reservations are needed to participate in any of this week’s activities, which are “our contribution to making science fun and interesting,” according to Ferrell.

For more information, please contact the Modesto library’s children and teen department at (209) 558-7810 or visit www.stanislauslibrary.org.

This story was originally published January 5, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Kids get creative at Stanislaus library’s Science Week."