Blowing things up in the name of science

Who hasn't wanted to drop a pack of Mentos into Diet Coke to see what kind of carnage it wreaks?

Pretty much anyone who has ever heard about it in their middle school science class or seen Wreck-It Ralph, right?

Well, we took it a step farther during our inaugural Weird Science Wednesday. Teens who came to our program tested to see what soda-Mentos pairing caused the biggest explosion. (You win if you guessed lemon-lime.)

But our Weird Science experiments have just begun. On June 18, we’ll use Sun Paper to show how pre-digital photography worked. (Yes, there is such a thing as pre-digital photography.)

Finally, on June 25, we’ll experiment with the science of weather, which means you can help us make miniature versions of tornadoes, volcanoes and tsunamis.

Teens can sign up for both these programs on our website or by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 215.

And, while you're here, why not sign up for our summer reading program? Every teen who participates in Spark a Reaction, either by reading or coming to Mentor Library programs, has a chance to win prizes. Those include gift certificates from Retroland Toys, Zoup, Great Lakes Game Emporium, Tryst Salon & Spa and our grand prize, a Nook eReader from Barnes & Noble.

And the more you read, the better chance you have of winning.

Teens can Spark a Reaction this summer at Mentor Library

Teens throw colored dye at one another during our Holi celebration last summer.

Summer reading isn't just for kids. Anyone can learn something new and have fun while doing it this summer.

That's why we have a summer reading program specifically for teens, Spark a Reaction. You can sign up for it at any of our branches. It's dedicated to weird science and fun experiments.

Starting June 11, we'll be having Weird Science Wednesdays every week in June outside of our Main Branch. We're kicking it off with their own version of Mythbusters. We'll see if we can make a Coke-Mentos volcano, if toast always lands butter-side down and test other popular myths.

The week after that, we'll use Sun Paper to show how pre-digital photography worked. (Yes, there is a such thing as pre-digital photography.)

Finally, on June 25, we'll experiment with the science of weather, which means you can help us make miniature versions of tornadoes, volcanoes and tsunamis.

You can sign up for any and all of these programs on our website or by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 215.

Every teen who participates in our Spark a Reaction, either by reading or coming to Mentor Library programs, has a chance to win prizes. Those include gift certificates from Retroland Toys, Zoup, Great Lakes Game Emporium, Tryst Salon & Spa and our grand prize, a Nook eReader from Barnes & Noble.

And the more you read, the better chance you have of winning.

So come to the library. Read something new. Learn something fun. Spark a reaction.