(Oneida, NY – Aug. 2015) Oneida Public Library’s Summer Reading Program continues on into August with a performance by the young actors in the OPL Children’s Summer Theater program Aug. 6 and a flurry of programs catering to a wide range of children’s interests.
The OPL Children’s Summer Theater group under the direction of Tom Lemery will perform an original one-act play by Tom Murray entitled “Dare and Double Dare” in the auditorium of the First Presbyterian Church in Oneida, 304 Broad St. Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
The play takes on the theme of bullying and ways to stop it. It follows a small gang of bullies led by Billy Belcher as they attempt to take over a neighborhood block and terrorize a group of “twerps” who have built a tree fort there. Can the nerdy ones find in themselves a secret “power” that will help rebuff the bullies? And what is the bystander on stage going to do about it?
Emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), the Mad Professor, Jen Herzog from Herkimer County Community College, returns for Science for Super Heroes Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 2:00 p.m. She will lead K-6th grade children in hands-on experiments revealing the science behind the powers of super heroes: spider webs, overcoming gravity, amazing strength and plenty of gadgets. The free class is limited to 20, so parents are encouraged to sign up their children as early as possible at the library check-out desk.
Continuing the STEM theme, Youth Librarian Michele Ryan will show 9 to 12 year olds how to build a roller coaster in a small workshop called Science Rides a Roller Coaster on Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. Three teams will research, design, build, test and evaluate table-top roller coasters. Supplies and places in the workshop are limited, so early registration is recommended.
For budding artists, Ryan will conduct a free art workshop Super Hero/Super Villain on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m. for 9 to 12 year olds in which the preteens will create super heroes or villains and draw comic book covers portraying them. No registration is required for this program. Art supplies will be provided.
And for the preschool set, the OPL offers a special summertime edition of the Little Red Wagon under the wise and witty leadership of educator Elaine Clark on Fridays, Aug. 7 to 28 at 10 a.m. Preschoolers and parents or guardians can enjoy stories, fun, frolic and learning opportunities through games that can improve a child’s language skills.
The week of Aug. 17 to 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will see the Return of the First Lego League to the OPL. Ralph Kohler and Tandy Paugh from the U.S. Air Force Laboratory at Griffiss Base in Rome will guide a group of 14 children (5th grade on up) in building programmable robots out of Legos. The First Lego League is a national program sponsored by the U.S Air Force in collaboration with local sponsors like the OPL. The OPL program is already filled, but parents can still sign up children on a waiting list at the library check-out desk. The program is free.
For more information or to sign up your children, stop by the Oneida Library, 220 Broad St., or call 315-363-3050.