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Mad Science invades the Canfield library
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Dr. Weirdo (standing) introduced himself to the audience at the Canfield Library Summer Reading Club for the It's Not a Dream It's Mad Science event to help encourage reading in children of all ages.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Jacob McGinnis (left) and John Marsteller (middle) from Good Hope Lutheran Preschool pose with Dr. Weirdo at the event on June 20 at the Canfield Library.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Jane Adams, a Children's Librarian at Canfield Library, shows her support for the summer reading club at the Canfield Library and for Mad Science.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Mia (left), Annika and Carlie Lazazzera (right) from Canfield pose for a photograph after the Mad Science event where they learned about science and reading at the Canfield Library.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Dr. Weirdo demonstrated various experiments pertaining to reading and dreams at the Canfield Library Summer Reading Club on June 20.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Lorelai Lowe, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, held a sticker she received after participating in a scientific demonstration with Dr. Weirdo.
By ALISA MANNA
The Canfield library’s summer reading club, Dream Big – Read!, started June 20 with a program titled “It’s Not a Dream – It’s Mad Science.” Presented by Mad Science of Northeast Ohio, Dr. Weirdo taught children of all ages about the magic of science and imagination.
Mad Science designs its programs around the libraries’ reading themes. Since the county’s theme is Dream Big – Read!, the scientist focused primarily on the childrens’ hopes and goals.
“What we were doing was dreaming about all these crazy inventions or possible vocations that the children would like to become or what they want to be when they grow up,” Dr. Weirdo said.
Dr. Weirdo invited children from the audience to exhibit several scientific experiences relating to their career aspirations. The mad scientist used his assistants and props for hands-on demonstrations of Newton’s three laws of motion, centrifugal and centripetal force and chemical reactions.
“We changed some water into grape juice and we also made some toothpaste out of some chemicals,” he said.
Mad Science has about 150 locations around the world and reaches more than 10 million kids per year. Dr. Weirdo travels around Northeast Ohio to schools, libraries, birthday parties and corporate events to teach kids to science while making it a fun experience.
Annika, Carlie and Mia Lazazzera from Canfield said attending the event counted as an hour toward their reading logs.
Jane Adams, the Children’s Librarian at Canfield library, said the summer reading club encourages the children to read eight hours during the summer. To keep the children interested, there are incentives given to them after every couple of hours logged.
“They receive a sticker for two hours, a food or game coupon for four hours, and a twirly wand or light-up pen for eight hours of reading,” Adams said.
Though this is a county-wide program, the Canfield library holds several special events of its own. Each library has an activity every week, whether it’s a contest or an active educational program.
Every event, program or contest is associated with the books and trying to get children of all age groups interested in reading.
For more information on the Summer Reading Club, visit www.libraryvisit.org. To contact Mad Science for services, visit www.madscience.org.