Exploring environmental science with children and teens

CHICAGO — In the classroom, science often takes a back seat to the study of math and English. That gives public and school libraries as well as museums the opportunity to jump in as venues for informal education, sharing the wonders of science with children and their caregivers. In “Exploring Environmental Science with Children and Teens,” published by ALA Editions, Eileen G. Harrington offers a selection of unique programming ideas that not only entertain, but also arm children and teens with information about environmental issues. There’s no need to have a particular background in science to use this all-in-one resource, which includes:

• background information on the national state of science education, and how environmental programming can foster science literacy;
• ways to introduce environmental science themes into existing library programs via “Little Learners Labs” for toddlers, science storytimes for young children and book clubs for tweens and teens;
• lists of age-appropriate titles to share with any group;
• strategies for implementation to ensure success.

Harrington is the health and life sciences librarian at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md. Previously, she oversaw the Naturalist Center at the California Academy of Sciences, a natural history museum, aquarium and planetarium. She has served as a reviewer for Children & Libraries, and has been a formal and informal educator both in the United States and in Latin America, developing curriculum materials in English and Spanish.

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