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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Free mini-camps teach kids about animal habitats, Maker Room technology
Cedar Rapids Public Library offering three-day camps for kindergarten to fifth-graders in December
Winter break is a great time to try out some fun STEM activities.
For parents fresh out of ideas (and energy after the holidays) the Cedar Rapids Public Library is offering two free mini-camps. Little ones in kindergarten to second grade can register to come to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Downtown and participate in a three- day Habitat and Hibernation Camp on Dec. 28-30 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Caregivers are asked to remain in the building during the camp.
Habitat and Hibernation Camp activities will focus on North American animals, including those in Iowa and Linn County. Guest speaker Chuck Ungs, a Linn County conservationist, will share his knowledge. Participants will make crafts including a pine cone bird feeder and animal tracks with air dry clay.
Animals have specific traits, behaviors and habits that help them survive the winter. Studying animal tracks in nature is one way to figure out how animals survive in their habitats and snow makes it easy to observe these tracks.
Winter also is a great time to learn about hibernation, a winter survival tactic for many animals including frogs, bumble bees, turtles and bears. There will be plenty of stories that talk about hibernation and winter homes for animals.
Caregivers can visit crlibrary.libnet.info/event/7407196 to register their child for the camp.
Maker Camp for 3-5th graders
The second mini-camp is a Maker Camp open to children in third to fifth grade featuring the Library’s Maker Room technology. Using the Glowforge, the Cricut cutter, button maker and 3D Doodle pens, participants will create a series of unique crafts.
The Maker movement focuses on how creators can make unique objects that can be easily shared with or produced for others. Technology such as the Glowforge, Cricut and 3D printer has helped to make one-of-a-kind arts and crafts easily reproducible.
Participants will get hands-on experience with these technologies and use their imaginations to create one of a kind designs to make stickers, buttons, magnets and much more.
This three-day camp will take place on Dec. 28-30 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Downtown Library. Participants can register for free at crlibrary.libnet.info/event/7436978.
Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com
Andrew Cejakemig (right), 12, plays musical notes on a cardboard guitar he made and programmed while Logan Bieber, 12, works on his coding as Jen Eilers of the Cedar Rapids Public Library looks on during Summer STEM Camp at the Northwest Recreation Center in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. The free, weeklong Cedar Rapids Public Library-sponsored camp gives children hands on experience doing circuitry and coding projects like making a cardboard guitar play musical notes. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Jen Eilers (second from right) with the Cedar Rapids Public Library talks through the next steps of making a functional cardboard guitar with campers during Summer STEM Camp at the Northwest Recreation Center in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. The free, weeklong Cedar Rapids Public Library-sponsored camp gives children hands on experience doing circuitry and coding projects like making a cardboard guitar play musical notes. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
