Program Time FIllers: End Time Ain't Here Yet

Ever had an awesome program where everything went so swimmingly that you had some extra time before the parent's came to pick up their teens? Ever had a mediocre program where you should have prepared that one more activity? Ever had an awful program where things just aren't working?

Well, first of all you are not alone (as I've done all of them before lol), and second of all, I figured some fun and easy time fillers might be useful.

Just Dance 
Attach a projector to a computer, grab some speakers, and search YouTube for Just Dance. Users have screen-capture videos of many of the songs, and all of your teens can dance at the same time instead of having to wait for a controller.

Airband Awesomeness 
Attach a projector to a computer, and get some speakers set up. Ask students what songs they would like to hear. Encourage them to pretend they are the band members, just using air instead of real instruments. Blow-up guitars, fake microphones, and rulers as drumsticks also help. 

Zombie Tag 
One or two participants start out as zombies. They have to walk and growl like zombies, and try to tag other players (without running as Zombies don't have that much bone tissue and muscle left). As soon as a player gets tagged, they also become zombies. The last one or two people to get tagged are the zombies for the next round. 

Library Craziness

Let the Teens have fun with library resources. Do a book cart drag race, tallest book tower challenge, or a rolling chair obstacle course.

Minute to Win It

You have 60 seconds to complete a challenge of awesome and sometimes hilarious actions. Many of these games only require simple supplies, and are easy to explain. It also helps that their website comes complete with videos, supply lists, and explanations of the activities.

 

The Trap: Origin or Demise

The Trap by Andrew Fukuda

Why did I read it?

Because The Hunt and The Prey were ssssoooooo good!!

What happened?

SPOILER ALERT

Just as Gene and Sissy predicted, the train was not taking them to a beautiful civilization where hepers had assembled and thrived. They were being taken to the Palace, where the Dusker Ruler makes a habit of devouring hepers on a whim. 

Barely escaping the horde of vampires that tracked them to the Mission pales in comparison to the horrible living (no, dying) conditions of the Ruler's palace. But, before Gene and Sissy's time comes, they are shocked to find two powerful entities seeking their help.

First, there is a secret group of hepers who are planning to deliver The Origin to the Metropolis. With research began by his father, The Origin is a combination of Gene and Sissy's blood (Genesis), and will change duskers to hepers.

Secondly, the Ruler himself is asking Gene and Sissy to remove a public relations nightmare in the form of a fellow hunter from Gene's past; Ashley June!!

Used as pawns in the cross-hairs of these two agendas, Gene and Sissy still strive to defend those they love, remain together, and maintain their humanity in a cold world of vampires.

What did I like or not like?

Trilogies are obviously hard to write. As a rule, first books are awesome, but then the trilogy typically goes off-track with a second book just waiting for the climax of the third, or a third book that takes us completely into left field.

But, Fukuda doesn't fall into either of those traps (pun intended). The second installment was a nice continuation with its own revelations and suspense, and then the third keeps the story advancing with a crazy reversal that I never saw coming.

Fukuda's trilogy has solid writing, solid storytelling, keeps you guessing while giving you a story that feels familiar, and is a really good dystopian series.

Clipping Magic: 86 that Background!!

So we have a whole bunch of technology bringing you this Techno Tuesday today.

First, I heard about the website that I'm reviewing through Tekzilla. Tekzilla is a video podcast my Dad has recently gotten into. It features reviews on the newest gadgets and techy stuff.

Clipping Magic is the actual website I'm chatting about today. Clipping Magic is for those annoying pictures that have obnoxious backgrounds that just shouldn't be there. It would also work famously for doing green screen stuff. You basically put green marks on the elements you want to keep in the picture, red marks on the stuff you don't want, and the algorithm takes care of the fine print.

Lastly, Jing is a free screen capture software, and I used it to make the video I made to show off Clipping Magic. Check it out!!

P.S. As I mentioned in the video, if the foreground and background are similar colors, or there are complicated lines like human hair, Clipping Magic might have some difficulty. But, if its a simple foreground, background situation, Clipping Magic is quick and easy (and even if it is complicated, the algorithm takes a guess at what you're trying to cut out, and lends a kind helping hand).
 

Gingerbread Houses: Creativity Fer Dayz!!

Over the month of December, I did quite a few Gingerbread Houses. I get the chance to do building/science programs at several libraries and outreach locations, and for the majority of December that meant Gingerbread, for Elementary, Middle School, and High School, fer dayz!!

I've found out quite a few things while doing these events: (1) graham crackers are a lot easier to work with than gingerbread, (2) royal icing works quite fabulously, but isn't necessary for a spectacular finished project, (3) using mini-milk cartons from a school cafeteria, or some small recycled boxes, gives these assemblies a simple, yet effective support system, (4) staple the top of the milk cartons back together so they are easier to adhere frosting to and finally, (5) whatever you put out during the program will be eaten or used, so pace yourself (or have way more supplies than you need).

Here are a few of specialty supplies (in addition to Chocolate Chips, M&Ms, Skittles, and the usual stuff) that went quite quickly during each program: Fruit by the Foot, Red Vines, Spice Drops, Pretzels, Marshmallows, Ice Cream Cones, and Gummy Bears. 

The last thing to share are some examples from our programs. Have fun!!