The Ottawa Public Library is celebrating Science Literacy Week this year with programs and initiatives to promote the wonderful world of science! This year’s theme is mathematics; in its oldest forms, mathematics studies trajectories in space, solves equations, calculates probabilities, generates statistics, and much, much more.

Science Literacy Week is a nationwide celebration of science in Canada and is led by NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada). It showcases the many ways kids and families can explore and enjoy the diversity of Canadian science. It’s about each and everyone’s unique relationship with science and how they live it.

We are eager to share exciting programs of the science, math, discoveries, and ingenuity shaping our lives each day! Make sure not to miss out on some special programs, like…

Adults & Teens

Stittsville Branch is spearheading Take action on climate change: calculate your daily choices & impacts. Concerned about climate change? It can be difficult to know how to take action. Join the City of Ottawa’s climate change team for this interactive workshop. Tuesday September 20, 6:30 pm.

• Also happening online on Friday September 23, 11:30 am!

Can you believe there’s math involved in axe throwing? Find out! North Gloucester Branch hosts Math in Motion: calculating the science behind axe throwing. Learn about the mathematical equation of axe throwing, watch video demonstrations and learn how to throw the perfect axe. Tuesday September 20, 6:30 pm.

• Also at Sunnyside Branch Thursday September 22, 6:30 pm.

Are you a youth and interested in 3D tech? Come to 3D Modelling and Programming with Tinkercard Codeblocks for grades 6-12 at Nepean and Greenboro Branches.

Check out our online programs for Adults & Teens, too!

Kids

Several branches will offer Let’s Talk Science! Workshops, like Rocket Launchers with Let’s Talk Science. Kids will launch paper rockets and test to see if a longer fuselage or the addition of wings in different places will affect flight!

Maker Mobile will be visiting several branches also, to offer coding workshops! Try out Math & Coding: Count Your Coins for grades 2 and 3 at Greenboro and Beaverbrook Branches. Or! Math & Coding: Calculate the Area Using Scratch for grades 4-6 at Nepean and Beaverbrook Branches.

Scientists in School are bringing along more fun with…

• Colour my World at Centennial Branch. Use colour to watch water defy gravity. Explore rainbows. Create a sun catcher. Use chemistry to create new colours. September 20, 6:30 pm.
• Science Meets Art! at Stittsville Branch. Use shadows, colour, motion, and light to create art from science. Make a puppet, a spinning top, a kaleidoscope, and design your own galaxy. September 21, 4 pm.
• Investigate It! at Ruth E Dickinson Branch. use forensic science to solve the mystery of the missing car. Fingerprints, foot­prints, handwriting analysis and more… Can you identify the culprit? September 22, 6 pm.
• Ewww… that Science is Gross! at Elmvale Acres Branch. Make slime while exploring viscosity, identify various animals from their poop and learn about digestion while burping in a bag! September 21, 3 pm.

Greenboro Branch will be hosting Mini-Makers: STEAM Storytime! Experience stories and activities that support Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Ages 3-6 with a parent/caregiver. September 20, 2022 1:00 pm.

Alta Vista Branch is doing Lego Play! Kids can play with Lego and find inspiration from building idea sheets. September 19-22, all day.

Rosemount Branch will have some passive programming, too! Visit them to play with Magna Tiles. Try a drawing activity using shapes! Take home some fun handouts featuring a scavenger hunt and a custom die. September 19-22, all day.

The kids will enjoy our online programs too!

Find even more Science Literacy Week programs here! Visit your local branch to receive a Science Literacy Week Take Home Kit while supplies last! The take home kits include a puzzle for preschoolers and tangrams for school-agers. Make sure to ask for some Science Literacy Week handouts, too.

We hope you’ll join us on this interesting journey through math and science—Happy Science Literacy week from OPL!