Museum L-A education intern Erin Bond prompts students as they discover objects from local industries in the Mystery Box.

Museum L-A to host workshop

LEWISTON – Museum L-A invites curious minds to an after-school program of hands-on science activities titled “Whirling Water Wheels at Work” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19. The program is part of Museum L-A’s Science Discovery Workshops.

Erin Bond, museum education intern from Bates College, said, “We designed these science workshops to build student interest in and an understanding of science and technology.”

Since late June, Bond has worked in partnership with Museum L-A educator Annette Vance Dorey to create several youth programs that relate to the industrial history of Lewiston and Auburn.

During the 1800s, textile mills were built along rivers throughout New England. In Maine during that period, 91 water wheels powered textile mills such as those in downtown Lewiston.

The Nov. 19 program will include a discussion of the importance of water wheels along the Androscoggin River for emerging industries in the mid-1800s.

The workshops are geared toward students in grades four through seven where hands-on history is vital. Bond and Dorey bring their respective experiences with students to the education programs and workshops at Museum L-A.

Earlier this month, Bond delivered a workshop of hands-on physics of the human body, “Fibulas, Femurs and Fun,” for the “Girls Get It!” math and science fair at Bates. The day on campus was an effort to motivate girls to pursue math and science careers.

“Science discovery workshops such as these,” said Dorey, “are important and fun opportunities that allow participants to experiment and make their own discoveries.”

Wednesday after school, students will build and test their own model water wheels. They will explore the physics of water wheels, including how water wheel gears – powered by the canals off the Androscoggin – worked to drive the textile machinery.

Reservations are encouraged and will be accepted until Wednesday noon by calling Museum L-A at 333-3881. There is no fee to register.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 35 Canal St. in the Bates Mill Complex at the corner of Canal and Chestnut streets.