As of today twenty-eight(28) librarians and teachers were certified to handle and borrow the lunar/metorite rock samples from NASA's Goddard Space Center in Bethesda Maryland just in time for our summer programs. Rick Varner, an Aerospace Education Specialist from NASA, offered simple and fun activities for kids aged 7+, the history of space flight, along with providing online resources from his Portaportal.com page to supplement the fabulous handouts that were given to us. 
If I had to rate any portion of the time spent with Rick last Friday, each section would easily been awarded 5 stars. In this short three-hour but information-filled workshop, 28 participants now have the opportunity to team up with other educational institutions, i.e. churches, after-school agencies or other schools and public libraries to present to kids and families the history of manned space flight and the geology of our galaxy. AMAZING!
And what is even more amazing is Mr. Varner's willingness to come back to the SEMLS region in June--June 18th to be exact--to offer a program geared to our teacher librarians. The extended version of the April 24th workshop will include more time for extra hands-on activities for registered attendees. If previous attendances couldn't get enough of the hands-on activities from the April 24th workshop, you are more than welcome to join us for the June 18th workshop. In fact, if you can't make the Thursday, June 18th workshop, five other regions across the state will host Rick's visit that same week.
Tuesday, June 16th (Western Region Conference Room)
Wednesday, June 17th Tewksbury Public (NMRLS & CMRLS Region combined)
Friday June 19th at Boston Children's Museum (Boston Region)
You have 3 other opportunities to become certified and participate in the fun outside of the SEMLS June 18th workshop. Registration for this workshop will begin on Friday May 1st so check the CE calendar to secure your space. In the meantime, you'll welcome to tour the actual facility where these samples are stored before they reach your library.
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