Teen Tech Month–Around the Internet Part 2

It’s still Teen Tech Month here are the South Kingstown Public Library! Last week we highlighted some programs and apps to help with photo and video editing. This week–time killers! These are all short (yet sometimes addicting) way to have some fun and kill some time or boredom.

Fantastic Contraption If you build it…will it run? In Fantastic Contraption you build a machine from simple parts to move objects from the start area into a goal area. There’s physics involved but don’t worry, build your machine, press the start button and watch what happens! The simple controls and step-by-step tutorial will have you building fantastic contraptions in no time! Play for free online or download the app. Can’t get enough? Try Fantastic Contraption 2!

Cute Overload There are cute animal pictures all over the Internet, but Cute Overload just might have some of the best. I mean, look at these guys! And just in case you need an excuse to go “Awwwwww, it’s so cute!!!”, the magazine Popular Science recently reported that a study in Japan showed that looking at cute animal pictures can improve concentration skills!

Six Word Memoirs Can you tell a story in six words? Using the same brevity that is needed for Twitter, Six Word Memoirs is a project started by SmithTeens. Browse topics ranging such as life, love, happiness, and more! See what others have written, and add your own. They also sponsor weekly caption contests. Want more? Check out the book I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets: Six Word Memoirs From the Famous and Obscure. My six word memoir of the day? “Need more sleep. Not enough coffee.” (Hey, it’s Monday.)

30 Second Bunny Theater AngryAlien.com is home to 30 Second Bunny Theater…in which a troupe of bunnies parodies a collection of movies by re-enacting them in 30 seconds, more or less… Watch Jaws, Jurassic Park, Napolean Dynamite, Pirates of the Caribbean, Twilight, and more! New videos are added all the time. Also, be sure to scroll down and click on The Birchbark Heroes! You’ll be glad you did.

Virtual Bubble Wrap Sometimes, you need to let off some stress. While actually popping bubble wrap is definitely more satisfying, this virtual version is still pretty fun.

Finally, how do you keep up with everything happening out there on the Internet? You still have until the end of the week to fill out our Teen Tech Survey–we’ll be randomly choosing a few completed surveys and giving away some prizes!

Look for the Teen Tech Survey in the Teen Area of the Peace Dale Library or print one up now! Fill it out, drop it off in the box in the Teen Area of library.

March Is Teen Tech Month

March 10th-March 16th is Teen Tech Week but the library will be celebrating all month long!

Each week on the blog we’ll be sharing book reviews by teens, video book trailers, and websites. From books, to movies, to games, to creating your own online content, there will be something for everyone.

The Teen Page of the library’s website has gotten a face lift–be sure to check out the all-new Teen Books and Reading section. Here you’ll find what’s new in books, book suggestions, and information on how to download e-books. The library webpage also has links to free online tutoring help and SAT practice tests.

And while it’s been said a million times before, it never hurts to have some reminders about staying safe online. Don’t share too much personal information—always stop and think who will see what you post about yourself. Avoid cyber bullying—don’t write it, don’t share it, and if you see it, let a trusted adult know about it. It may seem harmless or funny, but it isn’t. Especially to the person it’s about. Look in the library’s teen area for information and tips.

Finally, don’t forget the Teen Film Club for grades 7 and up will be meeting at the Peace Dale Library on Wednesday, March 13 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. We’ll be watching Super 8 (PG-13). They’ll be plenty of popcorn and thrills to go around. And while you are there, don’t forget to fill out the Teen Tech Survey located in the Teen Area of the library. Fill one out (or print one up now), drop it in the box—we’ll randomly pull out a few for prize giveaways!

Scavenger Hunts and Teen Tech Month!

The South Kingstown Public Library will be celebrating Teen Tech Week, a nationwide initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). This year’s theme, Geek Out @ your library is aimed at teens to encourage them to take advantage of the technology at libraries for educational and recreational information.

Free computer access, downloadable E-Books, book suggestions, tutoring help and more! Discover all the things the library has to offer through technology to help you meet your information needs. Also be sure to check out the Peace Dale Library teen area for information and tips about staying safe online.

And of course…there is the Teen Tech Month Online Scavenger Hunt!

The questions are below, or you can stop in at any of our branches and pick up a paper entry blank. Use the library website (www.skpl.org) and Teen Blog to answer the questions. By March 28th, drop off answers at any South Kingstown Public Library branch or email them along with your name and phone number and grade to teenlibrarianbrandi@yahoo.com. Entries with at least 7 correct answers will be entered into a prize drawing! Good Luck!

1. What days is the Peace Dale Library open until 8 P.M.?

2. Using the library website, what is the name of one teen booklist?

3. Using the library website, when is the next Anime/Manga Club meeting?

4. Using the library website, what hours is Tutor.com available for free online tutoring help? (Hint—look under the Homework Help link)

5. Click on the Download E-Books link. Select browse E-Book Fiction-Teen Fiction. What are three teen titles available for downloading?

6. Using the library catalog, who wrote the book The Juvie Three? What is the call number of this book? What is one other title this author has written?

7. Using the Teen Blog, what is the title you are most excited to read on the “New Items at the Library” page?

8. What was the 2011 Winner of the Rhode Island Teen Book Award?

9. What is one title that was reviewed by a teen on the Teen Blog?

10. What is the 2012 Teen Summer Reading Theme?

Remember, entries are due by March 28th at 5 p.m.