Enid, Oklahoma — The tranquil atmosphere of the Enid and Garfield County Public Libraries cheered as drones, beach balls and ping-pong balls soared through the air.
Mad Science, an organization that hosts educational science presentations for children, entertained more than 60 children on Thursday29 June 2023, In the Great Plains Room of the Library.
Susan Shuey, the library’s children’s programming coordinator, said the presentation was consistent with the library’s annual theme, “All Together Now.” The theme of the presentation was “Great Pairings in Science”.
“It could be a chemical bond, it could be a famous scientist,” Shuey predicted before his presentation.
Shui’s prediction was correct.
Children learned about the scientists who founded modern technology, such as Madame Curie and the Wright Brothers, through interactive activities that kept them engaged during the hour-long presentation. Each activity contained team building elements that reinforce the importance of working as a group.
Children held up simulated x-rays showing volunteers swallowing spoons, grenades and cats. Children laughed hysterically every time an X-ray was released.
Multiple activities with dryers, beach balls, and ping-pong balls are tested in a wind tunnel, and children must work together to achieve goals such as catching the ball in the basket and catching it with their hands. I didn’t.
The robotics part of was the highlight of the presentation.
A small drone was flown throughout the presentation room, and children were instructed to raise their hand and fly in the opposite direction when the drone approached. Each child sat on the edge of their seat hoping the drone would pass over their area.
Another activity using blindfolds, claw arms, hats, necklaces and cups demonstrated robot programming. One child was blindfolded and given a claw arm while another instructed her to pick up each object and place it on her head or hand.
After the presentation, the children rushed downstairs to the library to visit three experiment stations and a photo booth.
This wasn’t the first time Mad Science had visited the Enid Library. Last year, Mad Science gave a presentation on the oceans to coincide with last year’s library theme, ‘Ocean of Possibilities’.
A traffic jam delayed the presentation by a few minutes, but the laughter and smiles of the children showed that it was worth the wait.
Shui said, “I’m glad I made it in time. It was a lot of fun.”
