You can find activities incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) created by our library staff.
Jump to: Newsletters & Activity of the Month | Online Events | Videos
Read our STEAM Newsletters for a ton of library recommended STEAM activities, podcasts, programs and more for all ages! PLUS get printable instructions for one very special ORL original Activity of the Month. Each month we’ll take you on a STEAM adventure. There’s something here for everyone!
Newsletter: May Days [PDF]
Activity: Art and Literature - Miniature Books [PDF]
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Join in for these online programs no matter where you live! Register online to get the Microsoft Teams link information for ALL programs. Please include your email! All times are in Pacific Daylight Time.
Need help getting started with Teams?
Register online | Thursday, July 8 | 2:00 to 3:00 PM PDT | Family
This presentation will give you the tools you need to begin star gazing at home. Constellations, planets, shooting stars and more will be introduced. How do telescopes work and are binoculars any use? There is no need to miss out!
Register online | Tuesday, July 13 | 2:00 to 3:00 PM PDT | Ages 7-12
Make your own rainforest in a bottle! You only need to water it once. Amazingly, your rainforest will keep itself watered by making “rain” just like a real rainforest!
Register online | Friday, July 16 | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PDT | Ages 7-12
Join us in this fun 1-hour virtual program as we experiment with NOT cracking the case. We will build, suspend, and drop everyday objects in hopes that we can save them from breaking!
Register online | Saturday, July 24 or Friday, July 30 | 3:00 to 4:00 PM PDT | Ages 8-12
Send secret messages! How can you send a message that only you and people you trust can read? Learn to make an unbreakable code (yes, really) using one-time pads in this free online program. Only addition and subtraction are needed for security that’s stronger than what top tech companies use!!
Register online | Saturday, August 7 | 1:30 to 2:30 PM PDT | Ages 6-12
In this fun and goofy imagination exercise, we’ll draw everyday objects as mysterious monsters! How many can you track down in your house? That old boot looks suspicious!
Register online | Tuesday, August 10 | 2:00 to 3:00 PM PDT | Ages 7-12
Known as casein plastic, the process of making plastic from milk has been used for over 100 years! You can try it out at home.
Register online (starting July 19) | Tuesday, August 17 | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PDT | Ages 9-12
Calling all detectives! If you like to solve puzzles, riddles, or CRIMES, we need your help! A fish has robbed a bank and we need to use the clues we found to figure out where this fish lives. You will get the case file emailed to you with all the clues and some pre-case work.
Register online (starting August 5) | Thursday, August 19 | 2:00 to 2:30 PM PDT | Family
Black holes, quasars, the Big Bang! How do we know about these things when they’re so far away and so long ago?
Check out the ORL YouTube Channel's STEAM Playlist