Kansas Connections

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Add more fun learning to your classroom with these free library programs. We offer programs on animals, science, math, language, fine art and social studies to schools in Shawnee County. Programs are available Mondays – Wednesdays and are 30-45 minutes.

Schedule a program for the 2023/2024 school year!

Program Request

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Program List

Air Dragons (K-2nd grades)
Kids will discover the attributes of air. Students will then make an air dragon to test what they have learned and experience air moving firsthand.
Number of students: 30
Length: 45 min
Art – Ish story and activity (K-2nd grades)
What is art? Is there one right way to draw a picture? After reading Ish by Peter H. Reynolds, students will discuss how everyone sees the world differently. They will then create their own “ish” art. Students will explore abstract art and abstract concepts including emotions and symbols. Students will be encouraged to have compassion for themselves and others as they think about what art means to them.
Number of students: 30
Length: 30 minutes
Dinosaurs Biggest to Littlest (K-3rd grades)
We will look at dinosaur fossils and the stories they tell us. There will be estimation, size comparisons and measuring activities.
Number of students: 30
Length: 30-40 min
Fascinating Foxes (K-2nd grades)
Students will learn loads of wonderful facts about the fabulous fox.
Number of students: 30
Length: 30 min
Life Cycles (K & 1st grades)
A beginning look at how plants and animals grow and change. Students will work together to solve the life cycle challenges.
Number of Students: 30
Length: 30 Minutes
Plant & Animal Adaptations (K-2nd grades)
Investigate the needs of both plants and animals.  Students will also look at adaptations that help the plant or animal survive.
Number of Students: 30
Length: 30 Minutes
Color Burst - Auroras Science & Art (K-3rd grades)
Students will learn about Auroras: What causes them, where they can be seen, and why they appear in different colors. Students will then make aurora-inspired art using dark paper and bright colored chalk.
Number of students: 30
Length: 45 minutes
Storytime Adventure: Space (K-3rd grades)
Explore our solar system, the sun, moon and stars through stories and activities.
Number of students: 30
Length: 30-45 min
Ecosystem Breakout Box (1st-3rd grades)
Can your class crack the codes and break out of the nature-themed Breakout box to reveal the surprise inside?
Number of Students: 30
Length: 30 minutes
Sensational Science (1st-6th grades)
Science can be fun! Students will see different types of processes, learn about why they work, and will get instructions for doing them at home.
Number of Students: 30
Length: 30 minutes
Written & Illustrated by Eric Carle (1st & 2nd grades)
We will read one of Carle’s lesser-known books and then complete a craft using tissue paper squares.
Number of students: 30
Length: 45 minutes
Amazing Animal Engineers (2nd-4th grades)
Designing, fixing, and improving habitats for survival. Find out how animals build shelters to protect themselves from predators and extreme weather. Students will be challenged to make a spiderweb that can hold an insect (kidney bean).
Number of students: 30
Length: 30 minutes
A Water Molecule Adventure (3rd-6th grades)
Water can be found on earth in all three states of matter – solid, liquid, and gas. Students will experience this as they move through the water cycle. They will get to make a beaded water cycle bracelet or zipper pull as they complete their adventure.
Number of Students: 30
Length: 30 Minutes
Flowing Electrons: Electricity (3rd-6th grades)
What’s going on when we flip the light switch? Students will see demonstrations of electricity and learn the basics, including safety.
Number of Students: 30
Length: 30 minutes
Map Your World (3rd-6th grades)
Students will read maps and make a map. As simple as a map of the school all the way to a world map. Learn and explore symbols, scale, & direction.
Number of students: 30
Length: 45 minutes
What’s That Sound? (3rd-6th grades)
Students know how to make it, but this program will teach them what it is, and how it works. Each student will make a simple musical instrument.
Number of Students: 30
Length: 30 minutes
Color Burst -Auroras Science & Art (4th-6th grades)
Students will learn about Auroras: What causes them, where they can be seen, and why they appear in different colors. Students will create art using paint and magnets, just like our earth’s magnetic field helps create auroras.
Number of students: 30
Length: 45 minutes
Minecraft Breakout Box (4th-6th grades)
Can your class use teamwork to break out of the box?
Number of Students: 30
Length: 45 minutes
Kansas Symbols Storytime (Kindergarten) Only available in January.
This program includes a quick exploration of our state’s symbols followed by a Kansas-themed story.
Number of Students: 30
Length: 30 Minutes
Kansas Symbols (1st-3rd grades) Only available in January.
Get acquainted with our state symbols through sight and touch. Children discover fun and interesting facts as they interact with our state symbols.
Number of students: 30
Length: 30 minutes
Famous Kansan Amelia Earhart (3rd-6th grades) Only available in January.
Discuss the life of Amelia Earhart. Discover the fascination of flight. Students will experiment with flight by making paper planes.
Number of students: 30
Length: 45 minutes