Dr. Suess comes to MCC
Ryan Garner
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go,” were the familiar words spoken by a young bilingual second-grader named Ashley, as she read from a famous Dr. Seuss book Wednesday morning in the center courtyard.
“The whole purpose of this event is to encourage reading in young children,” said Christin Franco, Program Specialist at MCC’s Center for Service Learning.
“206 young students, some younger than second grade, were broken up into small groups and then guided through five different educational stations”, according to Franco.
“In Studio 180, students get to stand up against a green screen with Dr. Seuss images in the background so they’ll get a chance to see what it’s like to be in the Seuss world.”
“This is intended to show children reading is fun, so 4 of the volunteer MCC students are dressed up as traditional Dr. Seuss characters; Cat in the Hat, Yertle the Turtle, Thing One, and also Geronimo Stilton, so they can interact with and read to the children.”
“In the planetarium we’re playing a brief show while the two other rooms (Kiva and Navajo) are providing activities. The kids are coloring a giant poster that they’ll be able take back to their school.”
“Though we’re not sure which astronomy show will be playing since the kids are a little young to hear Pink Floyd,” Franco said with a smile.
Life science rounded out the educational contribution with a collection of live animals which were on display in the amphitheater area.
This was largely a volunteer driven event and MCC’s Service Learning department had to bar volunteers once they reached their max. “We had more than we were anticipating, so we are utilizing everyone, but we had to stop accepting when we reached 54,” said Franco.
As for behind the scenes volunteers, chef Bill Collins’ class baked cupcakes which were donated to the event. “We are really grateful for him and his Culinary 111 class,” said Franco.
The Dairy Council provided the milk, both chocolate and regular, for the children to wash the cupcakes down.
“We’ve got kid-loving covered,” said Franco. “We have costumes, activities, cupcakes, milk, books, and reading. Having children here on college campus really encourages them to open their minds to what could be in their future, like a real life ‘oh the places they’ll go.'”
