The New Jersey Center for the Book will sponsor a day of science on Sept. 26 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Drive, Manalapan, that will launch a month-long series of science events, presented by the Monmouth County Library System.
The mission of the “Science is FUNdamental” program initiative is “to underscore the importance of science literacy in today’s environment,” according to Renee B. Swartz, who chairs both the New Jersey Center for the Book and the Monmouth County Library Commission. In this collaborative effort, the Monmouth County Library will sponsor science-themed programs throughout October for all ages at all of its branches. All programs are free and open to the public.
The keynote speaker at the “Science is FUNdamental” Launch Day event at library headquarters will be Columbia Space Shuttle astronaut Robert J. Cenker of East Windsor. Cenker traveled more than 2.1 million miles in 96 Earth orbits and logged more than 146 hours in space during Space Shuttle Mission STS-61-C, which ran from Jan. 12-18, 1986. Cenker’s talk will highlight an afternoon of science demonstrations and exhibits that will begin at 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters.
The downstairs area of the library will be transformed into a giant science fair, with exhibits about rocketry, astronomy, satellite communications, computers and robotics. STARLAB, an indoor planetarium, will take the spotlight in the exhibit space, along with an exhibit from Liberty Science Center.
Other presenters at Launch Day will includeMike Centrella, Momentum Technology Partners, discussing rocketry and model rockets; Phil Burkholder, of Orbital, and Fred Carl of Camp Evans, discussing satellite communications.
Brian Patton and Dave Peins of Robodyssey will present live demonstrations with robots, showing how robots can be used with computer science, engineering and electronics education; Cynthia McGlynn, of New Jersey Network, will present “Show Me the Science,” which will introduce attendees to engaging and entertaining TV, which promotes science learning in a kid-friendly way.
Also, Jim Raleigh, who spent 10 years working with NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., will present videos of the Apollo moon landing and answer questions about the math and science used in the NASA communication system.
Geoff Redington of the ASTRA Astronomy Club will display and discuss numerous types of telescopes, and provide information about the club’s “Star Parties.”
The Sept. 26 event will be followed by a series of entertaining, educational and illuminating “Science is FUNdamental” programs in October designed for all ages.
The Teen Science Experience will take center stage on Oct. 2 at the library headquarters in Manalapan. Cool Science workshops will allow participants to make homemade ice cream with the aid of liquid nitrogen, learn how a laser show works and jump into the “destruction zone,” where they will learn how things work by taking them apart. The Rutgers Science Bus will also be on hand.
The Cool Science workshops will then go on tour at the Monmouth County Library branches, Oct. 9 at Allentown. On Oct. 3, Rutgers physics support specialist David Maiullo will present his physics demonstration show, which will take a look at an exploding hydrogen balloon and the science of shooting a person on roller skates with a fire extinguisher.
Science-related lectures will also be offered at several library branches in October. Learn about life in the dead zone of Chernobyl in the Ukraine, scene of the world’s largest nuclear disaster, in an Oct. 6 lecture at library headquarters. Celebrate New Jersey’s scientific contributions in an Oct. 7 lecture at the Wall Township Library, and on Oct. 30, hear about inventions that changed the world at a Howell Library discussion.
Throughout October, children’s programming at most Monmouth County branches will center on the “Science is FUNdamental” theme. Family Science Fun Day will be held on Oct. 23 in three locations: library headquarters in Manalapan, the Eastern Branch Library in Shrewsbury and the Howell Library.
Discover the science in Halloween potions by Piccirillo Sciencetelling, and laugh at “Science in Motion” by mime/science educator Robert Rivest at library headquarters. Eastern Branch and Howell will both feature programs about owls and nature tales by storyteller Julie Pasqual.
Visit www.monmouthcountylib.org or call 732-431-7220 for information about other science-themed children’s programming in October