Explore communities and activities in April challenge
The Foundation for MetroWest is hosting a month-long interactive challenge in April to encourage families to stay active and safely explore the community. The event will inspire children and families to foster a deeper connection to where they live through various at-home activities and local MetroWest field trips that highlight the region. Among the arts and nature-related participating organizations are Drumlin Farm and the deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park.
Participants will use an interactive platform to complete various challenges throughout the month that focus on topics such as arts and culture, the environment, history, etc. Participants will collect points for each challenge completed and race to the top of the MetroWest Quest leaderboard. Sample family challenges include:
- Visiting a local landmark in your town and learning about its significance to your community
- Completing a walking history tour in MetroWest
- Making a craft out of recycled materials
- Competing against your family in nature bingo
Prizes will be distributed to the top families who complete the challenge. The foundation will provide participants with resources every step of the challenge. To participate, register here and a link to the interactive webpage will be shared with you.
Library activities during April vacation
“Pop-up on the Patio” outdoor library browsing
Tuesday–Thursday, April 20–22 from noon–3 p.m.
Kids of all ages are invited to browse for new books or old favorites. Staff will be outside on the patio with carts and tables of books (weather permitting). Each day will also feature an easy socially distanced craft activity
Blast off with Bottle Rockets
Tuesday, April 20 from 4–5 p.m.
Join the GearTicks robotics to learn about building bottle rockets. This virtual program is open to all ages, but parental supervision is recommended for kids younger than 7. They’ll lead you through the steps of creating your very own bottle rocket and even methods for launching your creation at home! Email dleopold@minlib.net to register for the Zoom link and receive instructions about materials. Participants are invited to submit their rockets to the April Blast Off with Bottle Rockets STEMtastic Challenge and be eligible for a prize.
Dogs, Dogs, Dogs: Storytime with Sally & Lexie
Wednesday, April 21 at 10 a.m.
Join storyteller, dog owner and actress Sally Kindleberger for a fun morning of dog stories, poetry and songs. Perfect for children 4–8 but older kids are welcomed as well. Meet Lexie (Sally’s rescue dog) the well-known Lincoln Public Library therapy dog who loves to hear kids read. Lexie also listens very hard to stories, often with her eyes closed so that she can hear every word. If you have a favorite dog (real or stuffed animal) who likes to listen to stories bring him or her along. Email dleopold@minlib.net for the Zoom link.
Star Wars Trivia Night
Wednesday, April 21 at 6 p.m.
Do you remember Darth Vader’s real name? How about the name of the planet that’s home to the Wookiees? Prove your Star Wars knowledge and earn your spot as a Jedi in Star Wars Trivia. Play solo or in teams with your family and friends as you compete for bragging rights as the #1 Star Wars fan in Lincoln. For tweens, teens, and families with children. Email dleopold@minlib.net for a Zoom invite.
Schools get grant for programmable robots
The Lincoln Public Schools have been awarded a state grant to support computer science instruction in grades K-8 with programmable robots. The competitive grant will fund the purchase of Hummingbird and Finch robotics kits that will be used to help students learn computer science and computational thinking concepts by programming robots that interact with the physical world through sensors, lights, and motors. LPS was happy to be awarded $7,432 of the total $72,000 in funds that were available state-wide.
Lincoln schools teach both digital literacy and computer science to every K-8 student with a mix of digital and screen-free approaches, and this grant will enrich those efforts. Instructional technology specialists, Monica Albuixech, Cindy Matthes, Mark McDonough, and Nicole Putnam will work this summer to develop new curriculum using these robotics kits and look forward to introducing them to students in September.
Garden Club member in MFA’s Art in Bloom
Lincoln Garden Club member Angela Kadlec will have her work featured in the 45th annual Art in Bloom, a Museum of Fine Arts festival that pairs art with floral interpretations created by 27 New England-area garden clubs, from April 30–May 3. This year’s festival is themed around artworks that tell the stories of women across the museum’s collection, from images of mothers and motherhood.
The event includes recorded guided tours, live-streamed private interactive tours, free instructional videos, and a slideshow presenting favorite arrangements from past Art in Bloom events chosen by and featuring reflections from New England-area garden club members and MFA Associates. Click here for more information and tickets.
Town boards and committees seek volunteers
The Town of Lincoln depends on its citizen volunteers to work with one another on town-wide issues and to help shape community character. The Board of Selectmen is seeking interested volunteers for the following Selectmen-appointed committees: Affordable Housing Trust, Agriculture Commission, Capital Planning Committee, Lincoln Cultural Commission, Pierce Property Committee, IDEA (Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Anti-Racism) Initiative, and the Roadside and Traffic Committee. For information or an application, please click here or contact Peggy Elder at elderp@lincolntown.org or 781-259-2601.