Nerf Battle: Nuff Said

So we've talked about a Nerf Battle for some time now, and we finally did it. It was so much awesome!

Now we didn't have a lot of Nerf guns at our library (shocker!), so we asked members to bring their own. In order to make sure that most people walked back out with what they brought in, we had everyone sign in with their name, grade, email, and what equipment they had brought. Many of the teens were willing to let others use their extra guns which was great. 

Then came the fun part! We had a couple different scenarios that were a ton of fun.

All v. All/Red v. Blue
Everyone gets two rubber bands on their wrist, a gun in their hand, and the time when the round is going to end. When someone shoots you, you show them that you are putting one of your lives (the rubber bands) on the floor, and then you run back to a spawn point (we used hula hoops) before you can reengage.
You can change this slightly by dividing everyone into two teams. We gave everyone a simple colored yarn bracelet (one side red, one side blue), and away we went.

Zombie Apocalypse 
We did this two different ways, but in both ways the fun part is the humans will eventually lose in a wave of Zombie inevitability.
1) Hide 3 small guns across the library. Select 3 teens as Zombies. If you get touched by a Zombie, you become a zombie. If you find a gun and shoot a Zombie, they lay down for 5 seconds, and then keep coming.
2) Select about a fourth of your teens as Zombies. Give everyone else a gun. This time, the Zombies can run! If a human gets touched, they become a Zombie. If a Zombie gets shot, they have to touch a spawn point, and then just keep coming. This was the favorite scenario by far!

Ninja Protect the President
A group of selected teens (the bodyguards) are trying to get another teen (the president), from one side of the library to the other. The president doesn't get a gun, and the bodyguards just get two plates or a large tray to block darts and discs. Everyone else in the library is trying to take the president down.
If the president is hit, or if the president gets to the finish location, the round ends. If the bodyguards get hit, they have to drop to their knees for 3 seconds, leaving the president vulnerable. Clarifying that attackers can't push past the bodyguards will be useful, and if that doesn't quite work, give the bodyguards some small guns as well as shields.

The Phantom Toolbooth: An Oldie-But-A-Goodie

The Phantom Toolbooth by Norton Juster
with illustrations by Jules Feiffer

Why did I read it?

Because a friend told me to lol.

What happened?

Milo is a kid who doesn't know what to do with himself...ever. He comments, "there's nothing for me to do, nowhere I'd care to go, and hardly anything worth seeing." That is, until a magical toolbooth appears in his room, and takes him to the Lands Beyond and the Kingdom of Knowledge.

As it turns out, these lands have become troubled of late. In the golden age of the Kingdom of Knowledge, a wise king fought back the demons of ignorance and set up a glorious kingdom...but it wasn't to last. His two sons, King Azaz of Dictionopolis and the Mathemagician of Digitopolis, constantly bickered over the superiority of words or numbers. They eventually banished their step-sisters, Rhyme and Reason, and the kingdom quickly fell into disrepair, disorder, and chaos.

For instance, some of the inhabitants never took the time to look around, so their town slowly vanished without them even noticing..another group had fallen into absolute silence because they could no longer appreciate beautiful sounds...and some miners only ate when they're full and didn't stop until they were hungry...

But, there might be hope for the Kingdom of Knowledge. A newly curious boy from another world, a faithful and literal watchdog (a dog with a watch for a body), and an adult-sized Humbug are struggling and bungling their way through this broken world...and they don't seem to know any better than to save the world by turning it right-side up again.

What did I like or not like?

This book is the definition of an oldie-but-a-goodie. The book was first published in 1961, but its metaphorical lessons on not taking things for granted, learning as a noble pursuit, and putting importance on what is actually important will resonate with readers of all ages.

As the synopsis hints at, this book is full of pithy sayings, anthropomorphic concepts, and fantastic puns, and it's way too much fun to read. If you haven't read this book before, stop what you are doing and start reading it right now. If you have read it before, stop what you are doing and read it again =D
 

Cover: Context Sensitive Lock Screen

Typically speaking, I like to test drive a website or app before I write about it. But this one is super cool, and I have it on pretty good authority (TechCrunch, The Verge, engadget, and my buddy who has really enjoyed using it) that its worth checking out.

Cover uses context (like location, time of day, and what apps you use certain times) to tailor your lock screen with useful apps. The main idea is that it places different apps on your lock screen depending on when and where you are, and also learns what apps you use most frequently so they are easily accessible.

The other key element is speed and convenience. You can peek at an app by pulling it halfway across the screen, or open it all together by pulling all the way across the screen. Cover also makes it easier to switch between apps. If you hold down the upper right of the screen when an app is open, it gives you suggestions on apps typically switch to while having that app open.

P.S. This is one of those apps that is just for one platform, but instead of only being available for iOS, this is only available for Android. If that makes you happy, let me know. If that makes you sad, please take your complaints to Apple ;) jk, but please do let me know what you think!

P.S.S This app is still in Beta, but its fully functional at this point. 

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!!