America250 for Teens: History Has By no means Been This Enjoyable! 

Who says studying about American historical past must be boring? This 12 months, the DeKalb Public Library’s Teen Services Department has been celebrating America250 with interactive applications that deliver historical past, tradition, meals, sports activities, and teamwork collectively in thrilling new methods. 

 Instead of studying about historical past in a textbook, teenagers have had the prospect to expertise it by hands-on actions, pleasant competitors, and inventive occasions. 

We’re not finished celebrating but, however let’s look again on the 12 months up to now: 

Photos: A teen has a stunned response to Oregon Trail on the American Video Games and Technology for Teens program (April) and two teenagers pose whereas exploring the 18th/nineteenth Century writers space of the American-Themed Teen Escape Room (July).

JANUARY

We celebrated American innovation with our American-Made Board Games program that includes video games of Monopoly and Uno (we had others just like the Game of Life, Ticket to Ride and Battleship able to go).  

FEBRUARY

We honored Black History Month and celebrated America250 with the National Black History Month Multi-Media Trivia Contest. It featured questions primarily based on movies, audio and pictures that celebrated the contributions of African-Americans to know-how, medication, artwork, music, sports activities and extra.  The contest featured a serious comeback because the eventual winner trailed within the first two rounds to beat 5 different opponents.  

MARCH

We had our profitable Regional Candy Tasting that includes sweet at the moment or initially manufactured in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennyslvania and Washington.  Attendees had robust opinions (significantly on Abba-Zaba bars and Cactus Candy), however Ohio’s Anthony-Thomas Buckeye candies (chocolate truffles with a peanut butter core) got here out the resounding winner of the style take a look at.  

APRIL

Teens had the chance to play video and pc video games whereas listening to American musicians on the American Video Games and Technology for Teens program. The video games ranged from mini-Atari consoles to Oregon Trail to XBox. The gaming was soundtracked by the American-invented musical genres of punk rock, jazz and hip-hop performed on a vinyl report participant. Staff additionally participated and may verify that Oregon Trail continues to be a troublesome sport.  

MAY

Seven teenagers competed within the DeKalb in American History Trivia Contest utilizing Kahoot. They realized in regards to the library, NIU, the invention of barbed wire and different establishments, occasions and other people necessary to DeKalb’s historical past. Fittingly, the eventual winner performed the sport utilizing the nickname “Winner.” 

JUNE

The summer season kicked off with a World Cup Pre-game Party U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team the opening day of the FIFA Men’s World Cup. Teens challenged each other in EAFC26 on the Playstation 5 in addition to in foosball for soccer-related prizes. They had the choice of constructing customized buttons for his or her favourite nationwide groups and taking part in a Kahoot Trivia sport. 

June had a bonus America 250-themed program with the Scoop the States ice cream tasting. Teens traveled throughout the nation one scoop at a time from Alabama’s buttery pecan to Hawaii’s refreshing mango sorbet. The 30 individuals sampled flavors impressed by totally different states whereas studying enjoyable info about every area. It was the proper method to cool off and discover America one chunk at a time. Superman ice cream (initially invented in Michigan) was the consensus favourite. 

JULY

Teens helped plan our American-themed Teen Escape Room in 4 escape room planning conferences.  In the escape room, individuals labored collectively to resolve puzzles and uncover clues about American writers by totally different eras whereas racing in opposition to the clock.  If you missed it, we’ll be doing a model of it once more in November to have a good time National Novel-Writing Month.  

COMING ATTRACTIONS

The celebration continues with much more thrilling applications you received’t wish to miss!

On Thursday August thirteenth, we’ve got a hands-on American Artists Appreciation Month celebration.  Looking additional forward, within the fall you possibly can be a part of us for Constitution Week video games for Teens (September), an LGBTQ+ People in American History Trivia contest (October) and two interactive Teens Vote! Programs (November).   

Meanwhile, control the calendar for the various all ages and Teen/Adult applications we’ve got.  

America250 is all about celebrating the individuals, tales, traditions, and experiences which have formed our nation. Here within the Teen Room, we’re doing it by video games, meals, creativity, and hands-on experiences that make historical past each enjoyable and memorable. 

Whether you’ve already joined us tearlier this 12 months or are in search of your first America250 occasion, there’s nonetheless time to be a part of the celebration. Grab a pal and come see what all the thrill is about! We can’t wait to have a good time with you! 

Do you could have questions on this or different library applications? The Teen Services employees are completely satisfied to assist!  You can use your free DKPL library card to take a look at bodily books and different supplies, together with video video games and DVDs. Many titles are additionally obtainable like e-books and audiobooks in your cellphone, pill, or pc. Stop by the Teen Room with any questions or contact the Teen Services Staff at (815) 756-9568 ext. 2450 or by electronic mail at [email protected].