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By Daniel Curtin
Hometown Weekly Reporter
ScienceTellers, an interactive science and storytelling program, was invited to help kick off the summer reading program at the Needham Free Library last Tuesday evening. Kids in attendance listened to a story called “The Mystery of the Golden Piano,” all while getting to conduct science experiments that related to the story.
Among the various experiments, one allowed the assembled see what happens to water when pressurized inside a container. Kids looked on in awe as the water changed from liquid form to a ghostly looking gas, until it dissipated away.
Edward Fuller, who was the Science Teller at the event, enjoys making science fun for the kids.
“It’s such a rewarding job, and it’s a way to get kids excited about something that can be sometimes so dry to learn about,” Fuller said
Children’s Supervisor Paula Dugan believes the energetic storytelling is very entertaining for young kids.
“I was very happy with them before when we had them a couple of years ago, and I’m just as pleased today. His storytelling was especially energetic and engaging - really kept the story moving along with the action. He was very physical in his [story] telling,” Dugan said. “The kids just loved the science experiments.”
The experiments frequently had volunteers coming up from the audience to assist. Children learned about mixing acids and bases, water molecules, and more technical fare - like what a hypothesis is.
Christine Marcucella, a nanny for two of the young boys in attendance, was a fan of how the program was able to get the kids interested in science.
“This is our second time coming. We love ScienceTellers. It’s a very innovative way of getting them interested in [science] … It could be a little dry to explain science experiments to a little kid,” Marcucella said.
“I like when the library does these things,” she added. “They last the right amount of time, they’re usually very age appropriate, and they’re free.”
To sign up for summer reading program, visit or call the children’s desk at the library, or visit https://wandooreader.com/needhamma/libraries-rock.
