Fizz, Boom, Read: Exploring Environmental Science!

Need more ideas for your library's "Fizz, Boom, Read!" summer reading program?

Here is another book available for check-out from UW MAdison's Water Library that could help you pair children's and young adult literature with STEM art projects, crafts and experiments.

Exploring Environmental Science with Children and Teens by Eileen G. Harrington

Environmental science is a crucial, and too often missed, part of STEM curriculum. This unique and informative book provides ideas for environmental science programming in schools and libraries. Exploring Environmental Science with Children and Teens provides brilliant ideas for craft, team projects and observation activities. One section even outlines step-by-step advice for creating and sustaining an ongoing "green-themed" book clubs in your library.

Harrington's excellent book is unique as a manual for guiding children and young adults to become actively involved in environmental and citizen science long after they have left the library or classroom. In addition to craft and story-time ideas, Harrington includes learning outcomes for activities, information for young people to get involved in large-scale citizen science projects and tips for doing projects as a family.

Another notable section includes information so students can start their own environmental action clubs. The book encourages students to pick a passion, such as campaigning for composting or another pressing community issue, and form the club from that point. This section helps give educators ideas for inspiring young people to get active in their own communities. 

An excellent book for this year's "Fizz, Boom, Read!" Summer Reading Program!

Secrets and Surprises at Chicago's Famed Shedd Aquarium

There is a secret life thriving behind the scenes of Chicago's famed Shedd Aquarium.

Though they often go unseen, the aquarium's library and archive play crucial roles in supporting Shedd's aquatic creatures. The library recently reopened in a new location after being closed for nearly 9 months.

Here are some surprising facts I learned by going "behind the scenes" of the Shedd Aquarium with Manager of Information Services and Archive, Alisun DeKock:

1. Hops grown in Shedd's sustainable gardens were turned into a limited-run beer called 'Penguin Hops' by Chicago's Revolution Brewing. During its initial run, one dollar was donated to Shedd Aquarium for every beer sold, which equated to a $2,500.00 donation.

2.  The library boasts 30+ VHS tapes in its collection, which DeKock points to with pride. On a serious note, the library boasts more than 6,000 books and 80 active periodical subscriptions. DeKock described the newly acquired database access as "A real boon to the researchers at the aquarium." Researchers, aquarists, tour guides, and trainers use the library resources.

3. John G. Shedd is rumored to have said, "Live your life clean and upright. So live that you not having to fear from publicity." Much easier advice to follow in a pre-Facebook world. The archive housed at the aquarium features extensive materials on John G. Shedd's personal and professional life. The archive also has documents from the early planning stages of the aquarium, which highlights letters exchanged between Shedd and founders of other aquariums and zoos.

Epigrams, Maxims and Miscellaneous by John G. Shedd--quotes and quips that
show Shedd's personal philosophies and thoughts can be found in the archive. 

4. Much like Chicago's Field Museum and Adler Planetarium, the fortune amassed for creation of the aquarium came from Chicago's once-booming catalogue industry. 

5. The aquarium integrates iPads into exhibits to display information about different species. This is less expensive than the old custom-built information kiosks (remember those?) and iPads are easier to replace and their content is easier to modify. And guess who writes the informative content for the iPad displays? Shedd's own librarian, Alisun DeKock.

6. There is an incredible Great Lakes exhibit featuring lots of touchscreens and interactive exhibits, including a sturgeon-petting station. They also have a sea lamprey and other invasive species on display.

7. Alisun's pick for favorite creature at the Shedd Aquarium? The Seadragon. 

The name fits.

8. My picks for favorite creatures at the Shedd Aquarium? Caiman Lizard, Seahorses, Bubbler Jellies. 

9. January is an offseason for visitors to the Chicago area, so plan your Shedd Aquarium trip for the new year and avoid the crowds!

The Water Library had a great experience visiting the Shedd Aquarium. A special THANKS to Alisun DeKock for showing us all the secrets and surprises. 

Western Waters Digital Library

Curious about what other libraries might offer water-related resources?  We recently discovered the Western Waters Digital Library. WWDL provides free public access to a wide range of significant resources on water in the Western United States including water literature, maps, government reports, legal transcripts, water project records, personal papers, audio recordings, videos, and photographic collections. These collections have been made available by research libraries belonging to the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA) and numerous other academic library partners.

Some notable digital collections available via WWDL include:

Native American Water Rights in Arizona
A collection of federal government documents pertaining to the water rights of Navajo, Hopi, and Pima tribes in Arizona. (University of Arzona)

Las Vegas and Water in the West
This collection includes U.S. military and scientific surveys conducted to map a route for the transcontinental railroad, records exploring the feasibility of irrigating the desert for agriculture, and records regarding the construction of the Hoover Dam. (University of Nevada-Las Vegas)

John Muir Papers
Here you will find 75% of the extant papers of John Muir. (University of the Pacific)

John N. Cobb Photo Collection
Highlights 340 images ca. 1897-1917 of salmon and other local fisheries, whaling activities, clamming and oystering industries along the Pacific Coast and Alaska. (University of Washington)

There are hundreds more collections to consider.  Truly worth your time exploring and consulting for your future research.