To start the New Year, Friends of the Library is offering you a unique learning experience. The Friends, through their Lifelong Learning program have offered the community a variety of experiences. They have offered music classes, language classes, and classes in political science and art. For 2026, they are introducing their first science course. A science background is not necessary to participate. All you need is curiosity!

The first issue of the New York Times Science section appeared in 1978. It has become a weekly reading for our instructor, Pat McKean. In this four week offering, Pat will lead us in reading and discussing four issues of the New York Times Science section. Each week will introduce new ideas and exciting discoveries.

Before each class, participants will be asked to read one science section of the Times from September 2025. Pat will then lead a lively conversation about our readings. Packets with each week's readings will be available for pickup at the Library or by emailing dboudreau@hopkintonma.gov.

About the Instructor:

Patricia McKean Pat has taught many courses at The Academy for Life Long Learning at Cape Cod Community College including: how to teach science and math using children’s literature, understanding climate change and, most recently, a history course. She is a manuscript reviewer for the NSTA journal Science and Children.