The Chicago Public Library branches are hosting pop-up physics presentations, including a cryogenics show, between Aug. 4 and 10. Check the schedule to see when and where the presentations will take place.
Fermilab partners with Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge to offer 30 programs to help Chicago children develop a deeper understanding of science.
Why does static electricity make your hair stand on end? What are we really seeing when we see different colors? How are figure skaters able to spin so fast? Pop in to any of 30 pop-up physics presentations at a Chicago Public Library branch near you this month to find out!
As a component of the Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge 2016, scientists from around the world will conduct STEM programming for children in 30 Chicago Public Library branches across the city between Aug. 4 and 10. The Library will host these interactive, informal presentations for kids on the fascinating world of physics. Scientists and engineers from the University of Chicago, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and other institutions around the world will share the mysteries of force, motion, magnetism and electricity.
Integrating these world-class scientists into our communities helps deepen CPL’s STEM strategies by impacting the culture of the branch, modeling important habits of mind of the scientist and modeling positive experiences in STEM for children and families.
“Bringing in world-renowned Fermilab and their partner scientists from around the world helps us to engage children more deeply than ever in STEM learning and make more real their experiences and interactions with high caliber science instruction,” said Library Commissioner Brian Bannon.
Each one-hour presentation is on a particular topic. You can see a schedule of workshop locations and topics, as well as target age groups, at the Chicago Public Library website. Catch the always popular cryogenic show, with demonstrations of the cool things you can do with liquid nitrogen, at two different presentations. Make your world spin as you learn about the force of gravity. Light up your weekend by exploring how waves and particles produce our colorful universe.
Presentations are primarily for children in first through eighth grades, but children are welcome to attend with their parents or caregivers. There will also be select programs offered for teens. Registration is required, so visit the Chicago Public Library website to sign up.
These physics pop-up presentations are hosted by the Chicago Public Library through the Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge and in partnership with the International Conference on High Energy Physics, the University of Chicago and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon recently announced an analysis by Chapin Hall that indicates that, on average, children participating in the Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge demonstrated 15 percent greater reading gains and 20 percent greater math gains over and above their peers who did not participate in the program — and they avoided the summer slide, a documented loss of academic knowledge and skills in children who do not remain engaged in learning and brain-stimulating activities. Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge is funded by generous support through the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge continues through Sept. 1. Participants can sign up at their local library branch or find additional information at chipublib.org/summer.
Media contacts
- Chicago Public Library Press Office, press@chipublib.org, 312-747-4050
- Andre Salles, Fermilab Office of Communication, media@fnal.gov, 630-840-3351
Fermilab is America’s premier national laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research. A U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory, Fermilab is located near Chicago, Illinois, and operated under contract by the Fermi Research Alliance LLC. Visit Fermilab’s website at www.fnal.gov and follow us on Twitter at @Fermilab.
The DOE Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.
Since 1873, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through innovative services and programs, as well as cutting-edge technology. Through its 80 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. CPL received the Social Innovator Award from Chicago Innovation Awards; won a National Medal for Library Services from the Institute for Museum and Library Services; was named the first ever winner of the National Summer Learning Association’s Founder’s Award in recognition of its Summer Learning Challenge; and was ranked number one in the U.S., and third in the world by an international study of major urban libraries conducted by the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf in Germany. For more information, please call 312-747-4050 or visit chipublib.org.