Every weekday afternoon, a spring break program
By: Hilary Parker
Children will be able to check out much more than books next week at the Princeton Public Library as part of the Spring Break Science program offered every weekday afternoon.
The exciting week will feature exploding Gatorade bottles, rockets and arachnids and even a little hair-raising (literally) examination of the wonders of static electricity.
"It’s back by popular demand," said Janet Johnson, the youth services department manager who coordinated the activities. "I actually started doing it because I’m married to a scientist and I got sort of tired of people thinking science was hard. It’s exciting, it’s fun."
The week kicks off Monday with a program by Piccirillo Sciencetelling, an organization that tells stories through the use of science. The program, "Blazing New Trails," will celebrate the discoveries of Nikola Tesla.
On Tuesday, former fourth-grade teacher Jerry Iacona, aka Mr. Rocketman, will share his passion for model rocketry and teach participants how to make their own rockets at home.
After two days of physics, biology will be highlighted Wednesday in "The Good, The Icky and The Slimy," with a demonstration complete with living examples by Snakes-n-Scales and Turtle Tales.
On Thursday, chemistry takes the stage as a team from Princeton University consisting of Dr. Kathryn Wagner and members of the chemistry outreach program demonstrate some of the "cool" things about frozen carbon dioxide.
The week will culminate Friday with "Physics: The Force is With You," an ever-popular program by Dave Maiullo who arrives with physics gizmos in tow. From spring-like Slinkies to jet propulsion, there’s no limit to his knowledge, or enthusiasm, about science.
The programs are targeted to children ages 5 to 12 and participation will be limited to the first 150 to register for each event. While library cardholders will be given preference, non-cardholders who register will be admitted, space permitting. In addition to the events to be held in the Community Room, there will be a variety of books on display related to the subject of each day.
"It’s so wonderful to watch," Ms. Johnson said of the children’s fascination. "Their eyes are huge, they’re totally concentrating; they’re just drawn in completely."

