NL_072017

22 | July 20, 2017 | The New Lenox Patriot life & Arts
newlenoxpatriot.com
Science show redefines ‘cool’ at library program
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
Jerry Zimmerman demonstrates the science of cryogenics
to the audience.
What’s cooler than being
cool? Cryogenics!
Parents looking to prevent
the summer slide often turn
to the New Lenox Public Library
to engage their kids in
educational and entertaining
programs.
On July 8, the “coolest”
event of them all took
place outside the building as
the Mr. Freeze Cryogenics
Show displayed the science
of making things really cold
– also known as Cryogenics
– on a warm sunny day.
The demonstration was
hosted by Jerry Zimmerman,
a physicist at Fermilab
– America’s particle physics
and accelerator laboratory
based in Batavia – who has
been volunteering to teach
kids about cryogenics as Mr.
Freeze since 1997.
“Fermilab supports science
in classrooms and part
of that is the Mr. Freeze Program.
I go to area schools
and do the cryogenics demonstration
to promote science
in the classroom,” he
said. “It’s designed to get
kids excited about science.”
The program certainly succeeded
in generating interest
and excitement as young
spectators sat with their
mouths agape watching bags
explode as they filled with
gas to demonstrate the variance
between the measurements
of liquid versus those
of gas. Zimmerman’s punfilled
humor added laughter
to the program and he further
related with the audience by
explaining that he is more of
a “Leonard” than a “Sheldon,”
referencing the popular
science sitcom, “The Big
Bang Theory.”
The event was originally
scheduled to be held inside a
meeting room, but the beautiful
weather allowed for it to
be moved outdoors. Because
of this, the library was able to
accommodate all 50 pre-registered
participants as well as
everyone on the wait list.
The day’s gorgeous sunny
skies partnered with the compelling
topic of cryogenics
inspired New Lenox resident,
Justin Goodwin, and
his children Addison, Clark
and Gwen to attend The Mr.
Freeze Cryogenics Show.
“We couldn’t have a better
day for science and education,”
Justin said.
The family also stopped
inside the library to checkout
a few books while they
were there.
“I love reading,” said
Addison with two “Nancy
Clancy” books in hand.
Lisa O’Gara, of New
Lenox, also knew that her
kids Maggie and P.J. – who
couldn’t wait to see the cryogenics
induced explosions –
would get a kick out of the
program.
“They both really love
Jerry Zimmerman, also known as Mr. Freeze, sharies the scientific principles of liquid
nitrogen July 8 during the Mr. Freeze Cryogenics Show at the New Lenox Public Library.
Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
New Lenox residents Justin Goodwin and his children (left to right), Clark, Gwen and
Addison, watch the show.
science so I thought this
would be cool especially
since there’s smoke, explosions
and things like that,”
she said. “It’s so nice that the
library offers programs like
this for free.”
The Mr. Freeze Cryogenics
Show was presented
in conjunction with the library’s
Summer Reading
Program which keeps kids
engaged with learning while
they are off from school.
“We’re focusing on
STEAM programs right
now – Science, Technology,
Engineering, Art and Math –
and we thought this program
would fit in nicely and provide
a fun experience for our
patrons,” said youth service
assistant, Carolyn Boyer
Along with a variety of fun
and educational programs,
the library also hosts several
clubs including groups focused
on science, art, coding
and more as well as the dropin
program Mini Makers
which is held every Thursday
morning throughout the summer.
Later this month, it will
be presenting Ben’s Bubble
Show on July 29 to highlight
the subjects of art and science,
respectfully.
Zimmerman is always excited
to share the Mr. Freeze
program with young people
in hopes to inspire future
scientific and technological
leaders. “We are all going to
have to understand this stuff,
and it’s only going to get
more and more prevalent,”
he said.