NASA contract employee Dave Reynolds explains the science behind rocket propulsion during the Eva Library Summer Reading Program Monday. | Clif Knight

A “Look at Space” through the eyes of two Marshall Space Flight Center contract employees was the featured topic for the sixth summer reading program at Eva Public Library on Monday.

Marcia Coburn spoke to the K-3 group about the life of an astronaut in space and showed a video of a rocket launch.

Dave Reynolds talked to fourth through seventh grade students about the relationship of Earth to the moon and sun and demonstrated how scientific principles are used to launch a rocket. He introduced them to the law of motion, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, by conducting experiments using balloons, 35mm film cartridges and Alka-Seltzer tablets.

He had students drop portions of an Alka–Seltzer tablet into a film cartridge filled with water, then had them close the lid, sit it down and watch the reaction. The caps immediately began popping off and reaching a height of 10 to 15 feet.

He also demonstrated the role hydrogen plays in rocket propulsion by placing a balloon over the top of a large soda bottle filled with metal chips and a mild acid. After the balloon enlarged to the size of volleyball, it was attached to a rod and he created an explosion by applying heat from a lighter.

Students involved in the experiments were Coy Puckett, Lilly Montgomery, Connor Lloyd, Raven Johnson, Jessica Wallace, Julie Beavers, Hagan Sharp and Zaelea Long.

“We made an effort to focus on science this year in keeping with the theme ‘Fizz, Boom, Read,’” said librarian Betty Golden, a retired Marshall Space Flight Center employee. “The sessions have been interesting and informative. They have given the children something they can take back to the classroom when school starts again.”

The seven-week program will come to a climax July 21 with a Jelly Beans Awards Day. Those attending will play fun games under the direction of Kenneth Golden. Winners will receive jelly beans as prizes.

“Our summer reading program is all about giving something back to the community,” Golden pointed out. The Friends of the Library always do a good job of helping out. We wouldn’t be able to have the program without their help.”

Students watch as the reaction of water and Alka-Seltzer tablets pop the tops off empty camera cartridges during an experiment at Eva Public Library’s reading program Monday. | Clif Knight

NASA contract employee Dave Reynolds, right, and Eva librarian Betty Golden conduct an experiment to show how a law of motion is used to launch a rocket. The experiment was part of a program for fourth to seventh grade students at Eva Public Library Monday. | Clif Knight

Marcia Coburn, a NASA contract employee, talks to a K-3 summer reading group at Eva Public Library Monday. | Clif Knight

Gracie Echols introduces the speaker for the K-3 summer reading program at Eva Public Library on Monday. | Clif Knight