Summer reading 2024

 Recommended reading this summer!

Woven Bicycle Wheel Residency at the Lyseth Elementary School- Portland Maine

I'm thankful to the Teachers and students at the Lyseth School in Portland for an amazing week May 13-17. We spent five mornings weaving on donated bicycle wheels from APEX YouthConnections in Biddeford https://www.apexyouthconnection.org/  with donated rope from Sterling Rope in Biddeford.  https://sterlingrope.com/. 

We learned the History & Future of Nylon and other synthetic fibers while making these wheels. Nylon which was initially developed to compete with silk is a "Fossil Fiber". It is petroleum based fiber and, although it can be recylced, it does not biodegrade. Scientists are now looking at another tiny invertebrate, the Golden Spider and analyzing their webs to produce a biodegradable option. 

Six of the bicyle wheels will be mounted on poles and installled outside as Kinetic sculptures that will spin in the wind. Lyseth School participates in Pinwheels for Peace and will have sculptural Pinwheels this year as well!

The International Day of Peace happens Annually on September 21st.

                                                      Before Finishing!

                                                       After Finishing!

Pollinators Awake

POLLINATORS  AWAKE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr4owIo6Rv0

Trolley Part Prints

 Attendees to the North East Association of Trolley Organizations annual "Winterfest",held atthe Seashore Trolley Museum on March 16th ,were able to make prints from old Trolley parts. We used heat sensitive foam that was heated with aheat gun and pressed on the parts. Then the foam was pressed ontoan ink pad.

These were my favorite, created by a little girl. I gave her no directions or any prompt to make a trolley picture!  I actually expected  most folks to make abstact patterns. This tiny girl, who had been riding trolley's with her family all day, made trolleys! and  all the choices were hers!

Maine Council of the Social Studies, April 8th, Augusta

 Coming UP --April 8th --I'll be at the Maine Council of the Social Studies Conference

in Augusta!

My booth will have examples of hands-on projects that can enhance understanding and open

conversations with children about history. One of my participants recently built this Conestoga 

Wagon and told me what she was learning about the Westward Expansion!

 (We also made prints of bicyle parts.)

COMING SOON!

 COMING SOON!

POLLINATOR CELEBRATION #3!!

Biddeford Community Gardens (much loved) Annual Celebration of Pollinators

Saturday, May 18th, 12 - 4 p.m.

Art - Music - Great Food - Non-profit info!

My favorite class from last summer was the Tiny Toy Theatre one where these two stood out.

 

I had almost nothing to do with them except for some slight "problem solving" here and there.