Family Fun: Libraries use Curious George to spark interest in science

The Spokane County Library District is celebrating Curious George this month with Curiosity Days.

The program will introduce STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – concepts to 4- to 8-year-olds and their adults, said Mary Ellen Braks, public services manager with the library district.

“He’s so curious, and it works so great right into the science theme,” she said.

“Kids are born scientists because they are so curious, so they’re not afraid to experiment with things,” Braks said. “This is a great way to get them to talk about the scientific method without them knowing it’s the scientific method.”

At Curiosity Day, children will learn about magnets, shadows and the five senses. They’ll predict which objects will sink or float. They’ll mix vinegar and baking soda to see a chemical reaction. They’ll use magnifying glasses to make observations.

All along, they’ll be asked, “What do you think will happen?” Or, in scientific parlance, to make a hypothesis. After an experiment, they’ll be asked what happened or how could they change it.

As they make connections about what’s happening, “It’s really fun to see the light bulb go off in the kids’ heads,” she said.

The program will visit libraries throughout the month:

Fairfield - Tuesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m., 305 E. Main St., (509) 893-8320.

Medical Lake - Wednesday, 3:30-5 p.m., 321 E. Herb St., (509) 893-8330.

Cheney - Friday, 3:30-5 p.m., 610 First St., (509) 893-8280.

North Spokane - Sept. 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 44 E. Hawthorne Road, (509) 893-8350.

Moran Prairie - Sept. 17, 4-5 p.m., 6004 S. Regal St., (509) 893-8340.

Otis Orchards - Sept. 18, 3:30-5 p.m., 22324 E. Wellesley Ave., (509) 893-8390.

Deer Park - Sept. 19, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 208 S. Forest Ave., (509) 893-8300.

Argonne - Sept. 20, 4-5 p.m., 4322 N. Argonne Road, (509) 893-8260.

Airway Heights - Sept. 26, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 1213 S. Lundstrom St., (509) 893-8250.

Spokane Valley - Sept. 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 12004 E. Main Ave., (509) 893-8400.

For more information, or to learn about storytimes and other children’s activities, visit scld.org.