This summer, scientific learning will be accessible to youths at Warren County Public Library’s Main Branch in Bowling Green.

The Kentucky Science Center is packing up its “Science in Play” program and bringing it to the downtown library from June 8 through Sept. 1.

The Louisville-based children’s center created the interactive program to improve the state’s often poor early education outcomes. Due to the program’s success, the center partnered with the Kentucky Department of Library and Archives about two years ago to mobilize the exhibit and bus it across the state to libraries for three-month residencies, according to the center’s website.

“The goal is to spread the love of science through play,” said Veronica Rainwater, WCPL’s youth services manager. “Libraries are on the board of that mission.”

This will be Warren County’s first time to host the exhibit.

The program was designed for children ages 8 and younger, but all ages can participate.

“It’s fully interactive, and it’s an incredible amount of fun,” said Rainwater, who tested the exhibit when it was stationed at the McLean and Logan county libraries. “That’s how I know adults have fun with it, too.”

There will be stations with large blue foam blocks, a mutable roller coaster with balls, a “shop” of shapes, a board with light-up colored pegs and a Velcro wall of tubular tracks with wheels and balls.

The “science depot” will feature weekly changing topics, such as looking at fossils under the microscope or creating crafts with paper and glue, according to Rainwater.

The interactive play models supplement the traditional learning environment of classrooms, and each station inspires some use of the scientific process, according to Rainwater.

“It makes science accessible,” she said.

The exhibit will be split between the cafe and children’s program room, and will be staffed by an education specialist to help facilitate the play and conversation.

Rainwater expects the science exhibit will pair well with the summer reading program, which tends to attract the biggest crowds each year.

“I’m excited. I have no idea how we’re going to top this year,” Rainwater said.

– For more information, visit warrenpl.org/sip2go.