Members of the Space Science Institute, based in Colorado, visited Guam to conduct its second science workshop for the Guam Department of Education librarians.

Hosted at the Guam Public Library in Hagatna, the workshop aimed to provide valuable resources and help local libraries foster an interest in science.

Brooks Mitchell, an Education Associate at the Space Science Institute, led the training, building on the success of the previous year's solar science workshop.

Mitchell expressed, “We were very lucky to come in December of 2022 and workshop about solar science with the Guam library staff and the Guam Department of Education libraries staff. So we decided that it was so much fun last year and we had such a good time that we really wanted to come back.”

The Institute has held workshops in all 50 states, including the Marianas Islands. Mitchell shared his views on holding these workshops.

“We want to help libraries staff and educators that they don’t have to be an expert in this content to be able to learn with their patrons. So we focused last year on the eclipse that happened in April this past year. This year since there’s not going to be another eclipse on Guam until I think 2030, we’re talking about solar science hands on activities and different strategies and techniques they can do to engage their community, stem learning and other types of learning as well.”

Using this opportunity, participants took back the knowledge shared with them and made science fun at each of their respective schools.

Price Elementary School librarian, Tim Fedenko, shared how excited students at the Mangilao campus were after the previous workshop in 2022.

“The first time, they sent up solar eclipse glasses to all the students at Price Elementary School, over 600 of them. We all watched the solar eclipse at the end of the school day. And then the students took the glasses home. They still talk about it today. They still ask ‘Can we watch the solar eclipse and get more glasses?’ So this is the second part of that.”

In the second workshop, Fedenko and others dove into the mysteries of the Marianas Trench. Fedenko said, “Right now, we’re talking about solar systems but we are delving into oceans. My favorite part about the experience here is the excitement this guy brings to his presentation. Everyone is engaged, excited, and asking questions.”

As a librarian himself, Guam Public Library System Director, Chris Serengan, shared with us why this training is so important.

“In the olden day, librarians only had to deal with books. Now we have technology, other resources like science. And the librarians take this training and share it with the teachers. Then the teachers share it with the students.”

Meantime, Mitchell is on his way to the next island, hoping more local libraries can keep their patrons curious about science.