My Nonprofit Reviews
cgoldstein
Review for Catch The Science Bug Foundation, Inc., Holden, MA, USA
As a children's librarian at the Woonsocket Harris Public Library I have known Kim Bent and Catch the Science Bug Foundation for a very long time. One photo attached is from this year. The other is about 10 years old. Catch the Science Bug has provided science education programs to our library for nearly 18 years. In 2018, Catch the Science Bug was our grant supporter for a program, Explore Earth: Our Changing Planet is a traveling exhibition for libraries. Explore Earth is part of the STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net) led by the National Center for Interactive learning at the Space Science Institute. Exhibit partners include the American Library Association, The Lunar and Planetary Institute, and Afterschool Alliance. Explore earth is supported through a grant from the National Science Foundation. We look forward to continuing our STEAM library program with Catch the Science Bug for years to come.
Chris Wallace Goldstein
Chief of Children's and Youth Services Librarian
Woonsocket Harris Public Library
303 Clinton Street
Woonsocket RI 02895
401-769-9044 x2
Review for Catch The Science Bug Foundation, Inc., Holden, MA, USA
My name is Chris Wallace Goldstein. I am the Chief of Children Services for the Woonsocket Harris Public Library. I have known Kim Bent of Catch the Science Bug for nearly 10 years. Catch the Science bug has performed numerous styles of science programs for school age children including Tap Water, Water Cycle, Science Smorgasbord, What Floats Your Boat? Kim Bent is one of my favorite educators to invite back year after year. Why? Because she is entertaining not only for children but their parents as well. Kim is energetic and informative and knows the importance of hands-on experiments. She can handle a crowd of 100 kids or more just as easily as 20. As an educator for many years, she can easily gage the knowledge level of the audience of the day and adapt her program accordingly. Catch the Science bus educates us all on the wonders of science. The Woonsocket Harris Public Library has already put her on the schedule for 2018 programming as part of a unique grant and traveling exhibit August- October 2018. The grant through the American Library Association is called STAR_Net Explore Earth: Our Changing Planet. Catch the Science Bug is one of our agency partners for this grant. More information about this grant including the schedule of when it will be at our library is available at http://www.ala.org/tools/programming/STARNet-Explore
Review for Catch The Science Bug Foundation, Inc., Holden, MA, USA
Our library had just opened a Branch in the most impovished section of Woonsocket, RI. Nearly all the kids qualified for school lunch and breakfast and were termed "at risk." We were looking for a program that was educational and curriculum based. But the program really had to appeal to the kids. It couldn't be dry lecture style because these kids would not sit for a program like that. We were looking for something hands on that would get the kids directly involved and keep their attention. Kim Bent sent me a flyer and I booked it right away. Kim came in with enthusiasm, energy and the experience of a classroom teacher. That was in 2003 and we have had her traveling program nearly every year since.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The kids at the Branch raved about the program. One told me how she helped by holding something and adding colored dye in the Water Pollution program. Then she told me why water pollution was bad! This was the success we needed!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If I were to make any changes it would be to give the show funding to develop more new educational programs. I would also invest funding in promotional items to kids and families & advertising. The more success the more funders will invest!
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
working with the incredible Kim Bent! She makes you interested in whatever topic she is teaching.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
the kids and volunteers that join in the tv program and help with her live shows that get so involved and enthusiastic that you cannot help but want to learn more about the science topic of the day.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
produce many more national educational television programs. It will become a thriving educational program like Mr. Wizard.
Ways to make it better...
we had her come to our library every week. Kim is a bit too busy to visit us every week. Every experience with Catch the Science Bug has been well attended.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the need for more exposure. More programs are needed. More funding is needed to produce the programs. More awareness of the traveling and TV program is needed for the greatest success.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Catch the Science Bug appeals to all ages. Kids with learning impairments and autism expecially need programs like this that are engaging on a variety of levels including visual, auditory, and tactile.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
