Mad scientists look for the solution to classroom fun

Eleanor Morse, 8, blows bubbles as part of the summer âMad Scienceâ program at the Concord Library auditorium on August 27, 2024. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Eleanor Morse, 8, blows bubbles as part of the summer “Mad Science” program at the Concord Library. GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff

Michael Poifier creates a large bubbles at the “Mad Science” summer program at Concord Library on Aug. 27.

Eleanor Morse, 8, blows bubbles as part of the summer âMad Scienceâ program at the Concord Library auditorium on August 27, 2024. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Michael Poifier and Eleanor Morse create large bubbles at the âMad Scienceâ summer program at Concord Library on August 27, 2024. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

By GEOFF FORESTER and ARIANNA MacNEILL

Monitor staff

Published: 09-08-2024 9:00 AM

For Meg Roby, summer must include one key element.

“I love bubbles,” the Concord children’s library technician said, “and we can’t have a summer program without bubbles.”

Recently, around 25 kids showed up at the library’s main branch on Green Street to create bubbles of all sizes using various tools, from wands to large loops of string, and watch their soapy creations float through the air before they inevitably disappear with a faint “pop!”

The keys are in the bubble-making mixture.

“We have a solution that was cornstarch and glycerin,” Roby said, adding that this helps give the bubbles elasticity. “So the bubbles can be gigantic, and they last a bit longer.”

Bubble-making was part of the library’s Mad Science program, set monthly throughout the summer. During the school year, the library also runs a Homeschool STEAM Team, geared toward kids available during the day.

For Mad Science, the June session focused on optical illusions while the one in July featured bike science, according to the library website.

The library attempts to offer programming for kids of all ages at each of its three locations.

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