Summer science programs at the library

BONNERS FERRY — Science adventures are happening at the Boundary County Library every other Friday.

In 2016 and until COVID-19, the BCL has put on regular science programs. Now they are bringing back video conferences with different zoos and science centers throughout the country.

Many of the summer programs are video conferences and typically a presenter will walk around a zoo with a camera and provide a guided tour and information on the exhibits, said Amy Maggi, science program coordinator for the library.

This allows young learners to travel around the world without leaving the library, she added.

Science programs at the library include craft and coloring pages, which are good ways for kids to develop motor skills. These programs are held year-round with about two events each month, Maggi said.

At the July 8 event, Toledo Zoo's "Venom" live video conference featured a western diamondback rattlesnake and komodo dragon. The guided virtual tour through the zoo featured staff discussing various venomous animals such as sea anemone, cone snail, eyelash viper, pit viper, Goliath birdeater spider, tarantula, scorpion, platypus, and more.

Maggi said that bugs and reptiles are really big with the kids. She said one of her favorite memories of summer science programs was when a python was brought in. About 80 kids were in attendance and got to assist in the handling of the reptile. Kids learned the difference between needed fear and learned fear, she added.

Visual aids are important to grab young learners’ attention, so any chance Maggi can get she said she’ll have an animal in the library whether it is a rabbit, turtle or a domesticated animal.

Maggi said she was first inspired to work with animals in Africa after reading a book at the library on volunteering with lions.

“So, then I went to Africa and volunteered with lions,” she said.

This is also one of the reasons she pulls books on the presentation topics for further reading for participants.

The library still has 70 check-out kits for further learning. The kits include topics of math, science, reading and geography.

The science kits topics include cell biology, a microscope, anatomy, engines, building catapults and much more.

The next upcoming Friday science program is on sea turtle rescues. It will be held July 22 at 10:30 a.m., which is a video conference with Sea Turtle Inc. in Texas.

Coming Aug. 5 “Volunteering with Wildlife in Central and South America,” presented by Amy Maggi. She has volunteered in Costa Rica, Peru and Ecuador working with animals and conservation efforts.