North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave., North Bend, OR. - Baby Play every Thursday at 10:30AM. Enjoy stories, music, & play designed to encourage the early literacy skills of children under 2.

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History is Coming to the North Bend Public Library

Join us on Thursday, July 31 at 2:00 PM at the North Bend Public Library to play games, solve puzzles, and tackle wacky challenges. Children of all ages and their families will enjoy exploring our planet, designing solutions for the environment, and imagining a brighter future. This program is free to attend and presented by the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, University of Oregon. For more information, please visit https://natural-history.uoregon.edu/library-and-community-outreach.

Gamers, Data Nerds, and Curious Minds—Science Needs You!

Ever wanted to be a scientist without the lab coat or PhD? Now’s your chance. The North Bend Public Library invites you to a fascinating lecture on Thursday, July 31 at 6:00 PM presented by Dr. Aaron Coyner, physicist and NASA Solar System Ambassador, on the Gamification of Science. In this thought-provoking talk, Dr. Coyner will explore the exciting world of citizen science—where anyone with a smartphone, a notebook, or a game controller can help solve real-world scientific problems. From tracking rainfall in your backyard, to helping AI learn how to identify cancer cells, to testing video games designed to slow the effects of dementia, everyday people are stepping into the world of science in fun and meaningful ways. Its science made social, hands-on, and sometimes even a little competitive. Come learn how gamification—the use of game-like elements in non-game settings—is being used to expand the boundaries of scientific research and engage new communities in discovery. Dr. Aaron Coyner is a solar physicist and faculty member at Southwestern Oregon Community College. He has research experience having spent graduate school at Rice University, and a 3-year post-doctoral research term at NASA/Goddard Spaceflight Center. Since 2019, he has been a NASA Solar System Ambassador with a goal to make space accessible to everyone. For more information about Dr. Coyner and his work as a NASA Ambassador, go to https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ambassadors/1863/.