Randee Hudson is the school library media specialist at Millburn Central School, a kindergarten through eighth-grade attendance center in Wadsworth.
got the idea of bringing science into the library when the Illinois State Library
in Normal offered a workshop on hands-on science for youth librarians.
"Science is so much fun," Hudson
said, "And science in the library brings a higher level of excitement for all learners: students, teachers and librarians."
Hudson's science projects have included building and firing a volcano, launching rockets in the library courtyard, simulating the size of the solar system with fruit, and constructing space stations based on communication from "mission control."
Kids are encouraged to follow up on their interest in these project via books and other library materials and helpful Web sites.
herself extols the value of Explore!
Fun with Science, a Web site of the Lunar and Planetary Institute
(www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore), a research institute that provides support services to NASA
and the planetary science community, and conducts planetary science research under the leadership of staff scientists, visiting researchers, and postdoctoral fellows.
The institute also has a commitment to educational programs for young people.
constituency in selecting science materials for the library.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB), made of 20 middle school students, regularly selects books and other titles to add to the collection.
"The teens know what other students are interested in," she