Parents and children are invited to a free science show, courtesy of Iola Public Library and a local pastor. Paul Miller, part-time mad scientist and pastor of First Assembly of God Church, 1020 E. Carpenter, will be putting on a show to encourage children to get interested in science and the library’s summer reading program.
“He has performed at different elementary schools and been well received, so I think the kids will look forward to it,” said Leah Oswald, youth services librarian.
The event is from 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday on the lawn of the Flewharty-Powell Annex, 211 East St. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to get comfortable for the show. In the event of bad weather or too much wind the show will be moved indoors to the library’s meeting room.
Miller said he was still debating over which items to bring to the show. One thing he wanted to bring is the airzooka.
“I can hit one end of a trash can and knock a Styrofoam cup off your head at 30 paces,” he said.
He might also introduce Squiddy, his “pet squid,” and a bed of nails torture chamber for balloons.
“There’s so much cool science going on around us all the time and we don’t even know it,” Miller said. “I love to capture the wonder of the moment. This is how God made the world.”
Oswald said the Mad Science Program is intended to be a kickoff event for summer reading at the library. Different books will be showcased all summer with science-related topics. For children’s reading, the theme is “Fizz, Boom, Read.” For teens, the theme is “Spark a Reaction.” Adult reading will follow a “Literary Elements” theme.
For more information contact the library at 365-3262.
