Two teen-aged girls from Chicago, Krishita Dutta and Lauren Tapper, have created an inspiring website, COVID-TV. This is a place where you can “Quarantine Together” with teens from around the world as they share their stories about life during this pandemic. It is an opportunity for you to share your story as well. Topics include everything from creating music and art to dealing with loneliness and stress.

COVID-TV also includes a community tab which details many ways that you can have a positive impact in your own town. You will find a lot of ideas about how to take action. Ready to make a difference? Get started now!

Are you ready for another escape room challenge? You’re traveling to outer space for this one.  Space Explorer Training is recommended for kids ages 11 and up or for families. You can complete this challenge on your own or with a group. Have fun!

Thank you to Morgan Lockard, Adult/Teen Services Librarian from Campbell County Public Library, for creating and sharing this awesome digital escape room.

Do you know about Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum? It is a world-famous attraction considered to be the premier museum of medical history. Last week it posted an amazing virtual tour on YouTube. You don’t want to miss this 25-minute video that features some of the museum’s most popular exhibits.

You get a chance to visit fan favorites such as the Hyrtl Skull Collection (139 skulls collected by Dr. Joseph Hyrtl in the mid-19^th century), The Soap Lady (see her body and learn about its postmortem decomposition) and, of course, the Giant Megacolon (the world’s largest human colon on display). Some day you will be able to visit the museum in person. For now though, sit back and enjoy this interesting and entertaining virtual tour!

Check it out! This is a great opportunity to enjoy free live classes taught by real-life stars. At Varsity Tutors StarCourses, you can join celebrity instructors as they teach their favorite subjects. Here is a look at two of the upcoming courses:

Aly Raisman – Gymnast, Gold Medalist, Author – Balancing Mind & Body Wellness

Mayim Bialik – Actress, Author & Neuroscientist – Neuroscience: It’s Not (Necessarily) Brain Surgery

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Popular vlogging brothers, Hank and John Green, are co-creators and contributors to Crash Course which offers fun and informative video tutorials geared for teens and young adults. The videos are free and there are over 15 courses available on topics that range from the humanities to the sciences.

Crash Course has hundreds of millions of views on its YouTube channel and its fans include students as well as casual learners who just want to get smarter. US and World History, Mythology, Ecology, Film Studies, Literature, Biology, Computer Science . . . choose your topic and get ready to learn and be entertained at the same time.

And as Hank and John like to say, “Don’t forget to be awesome!”

Are you looking for suggestions on what to read next?? Here is a great place to start! The Teens’ Top Ten is a “teen choice” list where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. The 2020 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees have been announced by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association). More information, including an annotated list, is available at the Teen’s Top Ten web page.

Many of the nominated titles are available in an e-book format through the library. So, be sure to Meet Libby to learn more about the our digital resources.

Popular Young Adult author Matt de la Pena (“I Will Save You”, “Superman Dawnbreaker”) is also an acclaimed picture book author. Matt believes that picture books are not just for children and he is right! In two short videos Matt reads aloud his picture book “Love” and talks about thoughts and ideas behind its words and illustrations. Then he offers you a writing challenge to share your own interpretation of the story. Your response will be sent to Matt and also published in Words Alive! online gallery.

Tune into Homeschool with Mural Arts every Monday and Wednesday at 1:00pm for live art-focused tutorials from local experts. Past lessons are also available and to date include topics such as Drawing Faces, Creating a Zine, Printmaking 101 and Creating a Reusable Bag. These 10- to 30-minute videos offer you the opportunity to learn a new art skill and create something from the comfort of your home.

“Homeschool with Mural Arts” is a Mural Arts Philadelphia “Art in Action” initiative.  Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program and is dedicated to the belief that art ignites change.

If you are an aspiring writer, Penguin Classroom is the place to go for encouragement and insight. You will find fun writing tips and advice from award-winning and bestselling authors. John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, Marie Lu, Adam Gidwitz, and Max Brallier are just a few of the featured authors.

Click on the links below and scroll down to download the informative publication for free. And then, start crafting your story!

Penguin Classroom Writing Tips for Tweens

Penguin Classroom Writing Tips for Teens  

In this TED Talk, which has over 3.5M views, Manoush Zomodori explores the notion that you can be your most creative when you are bored. Host of “TED Radio Hour”, Zomodori explains that when your body goes on autopilot, your brain gets busy connecting ideas, setting goals, and solving problems.

Are we less imaginative and creative because we don’t spend enough time doing nothing? Find out more by watching  How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas.