Families are invited to the library for an out-of-this-world exhibit on loan from NASA and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
Here, There and Everywhere (HTE) will be on display from Aug. 1-28 at the Irving Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd., for its only public viewing in Texas. Visitors will learn how everyday experiences on Earth and across the universe are connected by the laws of physics. In addition, the library is hosting a month-long series of programs that will ignite students’ interests in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) — just in time for the new school year.
HTE contains a series of 22 panels of breathtaking images. It covers topics such as wind, electricity, shadows, bubbles and compares them to galactic jet streams, stars in motion, eclipses, atomic collisions and more. Through this approach, HTE makes scientific exploration here, there and everywhere tangible to viewers’ daily lives. The physical exhibit, handouts, interactive stations and hands-on activities created by NASA and partners ensures participants are educated in meaningful ways. For the most participation, exhibit text is presented in both English and Spanish.
“We are excited to be a part of this initiative to make science more accessible to our diverse community,” said Programming Librarian Lourdes McWithey. “Innovative scientific discoveries are important to Irving’s future, but this begins with engaging students in STEM subjects today.”
An astronaut visit, robotics showcase and mobile planetarium program are just a few of the fun and free STEM events coming to the library this August in conjunction with the exhibit. The library’s partners for HTE programs include Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Irving Police Deptartment, local universities and community centers. HTE was developed and sponsored by NASA and the Chandra X-ray Center, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass. For the entire event listing or more information, visit cityofirving.org/library.
Here, There and Everywhere Upcoming Events
Science for Kids – 4 p.m. Aug. 8, East Branch Library, 440 S. Nursery Road
Teens can use their natural curiosity to learn STEM concepts and experiment with rockets, zip line flying crafts and projects using balloon air power. Space is limited to 50 students. Call (972) 721-3722.
The Physics of Movement, Capoeira Demonstration – 2 p.m. Aug. 10, Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd
The Chautauqua stage opens up for a live demonstration of Capoeira, a Brazilian art form that fuses martial arts with dance, demonstrating the physics of movement. For more information, call (972) 721-4612.
Mad Science, Spin! Pop! Boom! – 2:30 p.m. Aug. 10, West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road
Mad Science presents an introduction to chemistry and physics with gravity-defying antics, unusual chemical reactions and explosions. For more information, call (972) 721-2691.
HTE Astronaut Visit – 7 p.m. Aug. 14, Central Library 801 W. Irving Blvd.
Join us for a special presentation by Steve Hawley, Ph.D., a retired astronaut who flew five shuttle missions during his career at NASA. Hawley also launched the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. He works as a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Kansas. Space is limited. For more information, visit cityofirving.org/library.
Robotics Showcase – 2:30 p.m. Aug. 15, Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd.
View a robotics demonstration and make a craft courtesy of the Irving Police Department. For more information, visitcityofirving.org/library.
Paper Airplane Craft and Competition – 2:30 p.m. Aug. 16, Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd.
Lockheed Martin engineers will teach kids how to make different types of paper airplanes. After the lesson, children can compete for prizes. For more information, visit cityofirving.org/library.
Take Me to the Stars – 1:30 p.m. Aug. 24, Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd.
Discover how to find stars, constellations and visible planets at this show presented by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in its mobile planetarium. Repeating show times are 2:15 and 3 p.m. Ages 6 to 16. Registration is required. Call (972) 721-4612.
HTE Movies – Irving Public Library presents films in conjunction with the Here, There and Everywhere exhibit at the following times and locations:
• 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6, Irving Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd. See an animated sci-fi film about a boy that befriends a giant robot. (Rated PG, 1999)
• 2:30 p.m. Aug. 24, West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road. A Pixar CGI animated film about the adventure of a trash-collecting robot that changes mankind’s destiny. (Rated G, 2008)
For more information, visit cityofirving.org/library.
