The public is invited to the free kick-off of the Dearborn Public Library’s Big Read, a two-month celebration of the memoir Lab Girl, with activities centered on science and other associated themes.
This is the fourth time that Dearborn has received a NEA Big Read grant to encourage citywide reading and participation in interesting, educational, and fun events for all ages.
The Saturday, March 7 kick-off is at The Henry Ford, Anderson Theater (20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn) and runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow this link for the kick off flyer.
There will be crafts for children, speakers talking about different aspects of science and agriculture, and free copies of the book for guests. More details are expected soon.
Lab Girl is an award-winning memoir written by Hope Jahren, a geobiologist who focuses on soil, plants, and trees. Her story is about a woman’s journey in the world of science, her friendship with her longtime lab partner, and her experience dealing with mental illness.
It is an eloquent depiction of navigating the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). By selecting this book, the 2020 Big Read-Dearborn committee is hoping to inspire young students to explore STEM opportunities.
At the March 7 kick-off, Dr. Selena Smith, a professor from the University of Michigan with her own science lab, will be giving a presentation on Lab Girl and talking about her career.
And because Jahren encourages readers to plant an oak tree, guests at the March 7 event will be asked to take cups of dirt and acorns with them to plant at home.
An extensive wrap up event is planned for Saturday, April 25. Learn more about the Big Read and all the scheduled events at www.bigreaddearborn.org.
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.