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Public Event

Electronics Lab: Paper Circuits

Friday April 14, 2017: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Downtown Library: Secret Lab
Grade 6 - Adult

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Public Event

Electronics Lab: Learn to Solder

Friday March 10, 2017: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Downtown Library: Secret Lab
Grade 6 - Adult

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Public Event

Science Fun with FEMMES

Saturday April 8, 2017: 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Westgate Branch: West Side Room
Grade 2 - 6

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Blog Post

From the Page to the Screen: Hidden Figures

by PizzaPuppy

The new movie Hidden Figures is in theaters now, and is already generating positive reviews and a plethora of award nominations. This amazing true story, first published as Hidden Figures: the American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, chronicles the trials and tribulations of a group of extraordinarily talented and dedicated African American female mathematicians, whose calculations launched John Glenn into Earth's orbit and won the space race. These "human computers" used slide rules, pencils, and adding machines to perform the advanced mathematics needed to calculate trajectories, launch windows, and navigational charts in case of electrical failures, among others. These brave women faced adversity through sexism and segregation, but persevere through it all to become key players in evolution of NASA and space exploration. This amazing story is also available on audiobook and Large Print.

Author Margot Lee Shetterly will be speaking at Rackham Auditorium on January 24th from 4-8:15 PM. More information is available here.

Looking to learn more about the phenomenal women scientists that propelled us into space? Check out Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars (also available here in Large Print. Or learn more about the many women who have since traveled to outer space through items such as Promised the Moon, Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, and Astronaut Pam: Countdown to Commander (an especially interesting nonfiction movie that follows Commander Pam Melroy and her crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery). We also have books about women inventors, such as Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women.

Also check out our resources regarding two very famous pioneering female astronauts: Mae Jemison and Sally Ride. Books on Sally Ride for an adult audience include this photobiography and Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space. To the Stars, Sally Ride: Life on a Mission, and Who Was Sally Ride? are all intended for kids interested in learning more about Sally Ride. We also have many resources on Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel to space, such as this biography, You Should Meet Mae Jemison or Mae Jemison, Awesome Astronaut!. You can even read books written by the astronaut herself, such as The 100 Year Starship.

Just into space? We have lots for you to check out here at the library, such as Eyewitness Space Exploration, or the Astronaut Handbook. The Dream is Alive is a fascinating DVD that uncovers life on a space station, and witnesses the first space walk performed by an American woman. We also have a Library Space Camp program for kids coming on Thursday, April 6th at the Downtown branch, where you can learn all about what makes a successful astronaut and complete cool space activities.

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Public Event

Nature Walk at Argo Nature Area

Thursday September 28, 2017: 6:00pm to 7:30pm

All Ages

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Public Event

Nature Walk at Furstenburg Nature Area

Thursday August 31, 2017: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

All Ages

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Public Event

Nature Walk at Bluffs Nature Area

Thursday July 27, 2017: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Bluffs Nature Area
All Ages

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Public Event

Nature Walk at Barton Nature Area

Thursday June 29, 2017: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Barton Nature Area
All Ages

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Public Event

Nature Walk at Bird Hills Nature Area

Thursday May 25, 2017: 7:00pm to 8:30pm

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Public Event

Nature Walk at Mary Beth Doyle Park

Thursday April 27, 2017: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

All Ages