maker

Hello Makers, this month we're celebrating Black History Month and the contributions of Black Americans to Science, Technology and Math. Miss Heather, the Librarian, has put together resources for each week's S.T.E.M. kit, including videos and websites. If you have any questions, come and see Miss Heather at the Library or call 252-753-3355. Email Miss Heather

"In Phil Freelon's world, art breathes dreams to life." from the book Dream Builder, the Story of Philip Freelon by Kelly Starling Lyons

Architect, Philip Freelon

Go here to read or listen to an article from The News and Observer about architect Phil Freelon, designer of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. COURTESY OF THE FREELON GROUP

Philip Freelon (1953-2019) was a successful architect who designed many buildings in North Carolina and across the United States. As a child, he struggled to learn to read-the words seemed out of focus. As Phil grew older, his discover that "his thoughts had color, shape, and form. Math and science filled him up like art. Phil could see strings of numbers and formulas in his mind." With practice and time, Phil found joy in books and reading. In high school, Phil took drafting classes and won industrial design competitions. He decided to study to be an architect, someone who designs buildings. "A perfect blend of his strengths in art, math, and science." Phil graduated Central High School in Philadelphia, PA. He earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) and top design honor from North Carolina State University's College of Design with and he went on to earn his Master of Architecture degree from MIT in 1977.
Phil did not want to design prisons or casinos. Phil created schools, libraries, bus stations, museums, and "places that show everyday beauty, that celebrate heritage and fill hearts with joy." Phil's building designs won many awards. To learn more about some of Philips designs, visit the websites below. Quotes from from the book Dream Builder, the Story of Philip Freelon by Kelly Starling Lyons

Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, DC
Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham, NC
North Carolina Freedom Park, Raleigh, NC. Take a virtual tour of the park here.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, Charlotte, NC
Virtual tour of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta, GA.
Durham Station Transportation Center
Museum of the African Diaspora, San Francisco, CA and many more.

Watch a time-lapse of the construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

View photos of the Museum and learn about its architecture.

Read the book "Dream Builder." Watch a live read-aloud of Dream Builder

Watch a live read-aloud of Dream Builder, the Story of Philip Freelon with author Kelly Starling Lyons on the NC African American Heritage Commission YouTube Channel.

Book to Learn More

Watch a video interview with Phil Freelon

Nnenna Freelon

Phi was married to jazz singer Nnenna Freelon. Six-time GRAMMY® Award nominee Nnenna Freelon is known worldwide as a compelling and captivating live performer. Recently, Nnenna starred in the critically acclaimed show Georgia on My Mind: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles - no stranger to the music of the master singer - she toured with Ray Charles, as well as many other great jazz artists including Ellis Marsalis, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Earl Klugh, Take 6, and others.
Accolades and awards have abounded - performances at The White House, headlining the Asia Pacific Economic Summit for three hundred Presidents, Premiers and Heads of State, receiving the YWCA of North Carolina’s inaugural “Legend Award” for her outstanding artistry and her dedication to education, and so much more.
Educating young people, both musicians and non-musicians, and students of all ages has propelled her advocacy - Nnenna toured the United States as the National Spokesperson for Partners in Education. Her master classes and workshops, from “Sound Sculpture” to the ground-breaking “Babysong,” instruct adults and children that you too can change the world – even one person at a time - with her anthem “One Child at a Time” found on her “Soulcall” recording. From Partners in Education to the United Way, Freelon has been a tireless advocate and fundraiser for education and arts causes. Watch Nnenna in concert with the Billy Taylor Trio at the Kennedy Center.

Painter Allan Randall Freelon

Phil's grandfather was Allan Randall Freelon, an African American artist, educator and civil rights activist. He is best known as an African American Impressionist-style painter during the time of the Harlem Renaissance and as the first African American to be appointed art supervisor of the Philadelphia School District

Jerry Lawson, Video Game Pioneer

This week we're learning about Video Games and inventor Jerry Laswon. The Maker activity of the week is a thaumtrope. Click or tap the photo for a video tutorial. Kits available at the Library.

Meet Jerry Lawson, video game pioneer

The first home video game system consoles could only play one or two built in games. If you wanted to play new games, you had to buy a new console. Gerald (Jerry) A. Lawson, a largely self-taught engineer, became a pioneer in electronic video entertainment. He led the team that created the first home video game console with interchangeable cartridges, the Channel F (for fun), which allowed you to buy new games. Lawson also designed the first joystick.

Left: Jerry Lawson, video game pioneer. Right: Fairchild Channel F (for fun) video game console.

Jerry was inspired to invent by George Washington Carver.
Who or what inspires you to invent?

Watch a video about Jerry Lawson

Watch here.

Video Game History

Watch here.

Learn to be a Video Game Designer

Want to learn to make games like Minecraft or Among Us? Watch here to learn about being a video game designer.

History

Click or tap the photo.

Learn about the history of video games.

Click or tap photo.

Learn about the history of Minecraft.

Read About STEM

Visit the Library's catalog to see a list of books about video games.

Farmville Public Library ebooks

Download and read or listen to books on your computer, tablet or device. Use your Farmville Public Library Card or Pitt County School ID. Choose Farmville as your Library. Get the Libby app or Visit the NC Kids Digital Library website.

Read more books about video games in the Libby app or e-inc website. Farmville Public Library is your library. Sign in with your Library card or Pitt County School ID number (PIN is last 4 of School ID).

Birds in your backyard

Hi Makers! This week's Library STEM Maker Activity Kit features birds. We're celebrating the Great Backyard Bird Count and Black History month. Miss Heather the librarian has selected videos and websites to help you learn about birds and the #BlackBirdersWeek social media movement. If you have questions or want to recommend a resource, contact Miss Heather at 252-753-3355 or email [email protected]. Visit Farmville Public Library on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

This week's STEM kit is a bird kite. Here are two videos to help you make your kite. Supplies available from the library.

"Ruby's Birds" Meet Ruby, a plucky young girl who uncovers the wild side of her city neighborhood with the help of a grown-up friend. When Ruby realizes there are amazing birds right in her neighborhood, her imagination takes flight. Birders have a name for the moment they get hooked―they call it their spark moment.

#BlackBirdersWeek

The first annual Black Birders Week #blackbirdersweek took place May 31-June 5, 2020. Launched as a social media campaign, Black Birders Week celebrated Black naturalists and broke down stereotypes of Black people in the outdoors and STEM. The event was organized by a group of Black STEM professionals, nature lovers, and friends including Corina Newsome, a college student and ornithologist. Thousands of people from around the US and the world posted photos and stories of themselves bird watching and enjoying the outdoors

Meet Corina Newsome, Black Bird Week founder

The 27 year old graduate student in ornithology (scientific study of birds), studies threats to seaside sparrows that nest on the shore of southern Georgia.
She wrote a rap song “Anything for the Count" about birding.
Corina has seen over 300 species of birds since she began bird watching six years ago.
Calls herself a "crazy bird human"
Became interested in ornithology after an internship at the local zoo.
Part of a group collective of Black STEM professionals to highlight the accomplishments of Black people in STEM.

Read an interview with Corina from PBS.org

"When we deplete and exploit the natural world, it hurts the most vulnerable first, and most intensely.” Cornia Newsome

“The Black Birders Week movement allowed me to see that there are many Black wildlife heroes out there. It reassures me that everybody can make a difference towards our planet.”
Tolga Aktas, conservation biologist

#BecauseofBlackBirdersWeek, Black people have seen themselves represented in the outdoors, many individuals were able to connect and now have a broader network for support, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology posted 2 beginner birder courses for FREE, the National Wildlife Federationcreated internships/fellowships specifically for Black biologists, and many other wonderful opportunities and partnerships have been blossoming after the Black Birders Week social media event .

Song: Anything for the Count by Corina Newsome

NC State birders

The Importance of Black Birders Week and Its Lasting Impact.
Article by NC State college students Deja Perkins and Lauren Pharr write.

Check out a birding kit with binoculars and information about local birds.

Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1934, is located in Hyde County near the town of New Holland. Lake Mattamuskeet is approximately 16,200 ha (40,031 acres) in size. An additional 4,120 ha (10,181 acres) make up the rest of the refuge. Lake Mattamuskeet is best known for waterfowl. Canada Geese, Tundra Swans, and 22 species of ducks winter on and around the refuge. The lake, managed impoundments, and nearby agricultural lands provide important habitat for foraging and resting. The site has approximately 1,050 ha (2,595 acres) of managed impoundments that support waterfowl and shorebirds. The site also includes the Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge, Gull Rock Game Lands, and privately owned tracts.
Source: Audubon

Birds of Lake Mattamuskeet

Visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website to learn more about the birds of Lake Mattamuskeet.

Indigo Bunting. Photo Credit: Audubon.

Read all about it

"Counting crows" / Appelt (E APP)
"Crinkleroot's 25 Birds Every Child Should Know" / Arnosky (E ARN)
"Are you my mother?" / Eastman (ER EAS)
"A nest full of eggs" / Jenkins (E JEN)
"Bird watch" / Matheson (E MAT)
"About Birds" / Sill (e-book available in Libby app-add NC Kids library)
"Bird singing, bird winging" / Singer "ER Singer)
"Counting birds : the idea that helped save our feathered friends" / Stemple (E STE)
"Ruby's birds" / Thompson (E THO)
"When Blue met egg" / Ward (E WAR)
"Look up! Bird-watching in your own backyard" / Cate (J 598 CAT)
Teens
"Hoot" / Hiaasen (YA HIA)

Online Resources

Learn about birds and listen to their sounds on the Audubon website. Ask a parent to look for the Audubon Bird Guide app for your device.

Learn about the NC State Bird, listen to its call, and download a coloring sheet from NCpedia.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Pitt County Birds

Learn About Penguins

Listen to a colony of penguins call, sing, squabble and celebrate.

Can penguins fly? Watch this video from KidsLearn to learn about penguins.

Click the DK logo about to learn about Penguins