Are you visiting the “Ultimate Dinosaur” exhibition this summer at OISE’s neighbour, the Royal Ontario Museum? Why not continue learning after you leave the ROM by checking out our dinosaur themed featured activity kit! The “Presenting Leptoceratops” fossil model [CR 567.9 R962] is a great way to engage young children in hands on learning about ancient natural history. While the ROM’s exhibit features giant dinosaurs from the southern hemisphere, the Leptoceratops model offers a smaller-scale introduction to herbivores from the northern hemisphere. Along with the fossil model, this kit also includes an illustrated companion book exploring the notable characteristics and probable living conditions of Leptoceratops. For instance, it was the smallest of all the horned dinosaurs and, for its size, had a quite large head with a parrot-like beak and could move about on either two or four legs. Come in to OISE and check out this activity kit to learn even more!

Currently displayed on the coffee table near the Circulation Desk on the Ground Floor of the Library.

The recent announcement confirming the discovery of a new boson particle consistent with the theorized Higgs boson has made the science of physics headline news as of late. While particle physics may be grabbing the most attention, it is also a great opportunity for learning about other branches of physics. For instance, this month’s featured activity kit – the Atomic Building Game [CR 539.14 A881] – uses gameplay to teach about the inner workings of the atom and the principles behind the periodic table of elements, lasers, nuclear reactions, radioactivity, and other related phenomena. This game is actually 3-in-1 with each variation representing a different level of challenge as well as topical focus. In the ‘atomic challenge,’ players use coloured marbles to simulate electrons, protons, and neutrons to build and identify different atoms. In the more advanced game of ‘nuclear reactions,’ players score points by building neutral atoms, stable nuclei, and complete atoms. Lastly, the ‘photons and lasers’ game teaches players how light is emitted and absorbed by atoms. Designed for 2 to 8 players, this game is suitable for ages 8 and up.

Currently displayed on the coffee table near the Circulation Desk on the Ground Floor of the Library.

June is always an astronomically significant month because of the summer solstice; however, this June is particularly noteworthy as the rare transit of Venus phenomenon will occur and will not be seen again until the year 2117. In celebration of these celestial spectacles, the new featured activity kit — the Solar System Simulator Model [ CR 523.2 S6843 ] – will encourage learning about the solar system through its three-dimensional representation of the sun and planets. Designed to provide an understanding of sizes, distances, colours, and speeds at which the planets travel around the sun, this model helps to demonstrate what planets are visible at any given date and why some planets are visible only at certain times of the year.

Currently displayed on the coffee table near the Service Desk on the Ground Floor of the Library.