Rabbit hops into the spotlight at first 'Super Science Friday'

Torpedo, a mini-rex rabbit, was a star at the Marco Island Branch Library.

The rabbit and two chickens stole the show at the first of six "Super Science Fridays with 4-H" at the library.

As children straggled in and joined the circle, Trisha Aldridge, outreach coordinator for the 4-H Collier County university extension, asked the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

The children answered with such occupations as doctor, ballerina teacher, policeman, dancer and veterinarian.

Aldridge explained that there is a 4-H program for each person's interest. In the 4-H program, you learn by doing something, she said.

Nineteen children attended June 16 for the animals session.

The children listened as Aldridge explained what people get from animals on a farm.

She gave the examples that milk, meat and leather come from a cow, eggs come from a chicken and pork comes from a pig.

The children then dispersed to sit at the tables and color an animal and write down what comes from that animal.

"My grandma has sheep in Mexico City," said Brenda Perez, 7, as she colored yellow fur on her sheep. She wrote wool and meat as things people get.

The children then played animal bingo. Tyler Chute, 3, covered the animals on his card before they were announced.

His mother, Tricia Chute, brought him to the session even though he's young. She simply thought he would enjoy the animals.

"Interesting for him to learn and he likes to get out with other kids," she said.

Aldridge gave information about each animal as the children covered them on their play cards.

Next, the youngsters gathered in a circle as Aldridge introduced Torpedo and warned the children not to put their fingers in his face. She also showed them how to hold him as they passed him around the circle.

Laughter erupted in the room when one of the chickens tried to hop out of its container. Aldridge then brought out the two chickens to pass around the circle, too.

She told the children they didn't have to hold the animals if they didn't want to.

"I didn't hold a chicken for a long time because they have ugly feet," she said.

Lauren Camposano, 8, wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up and her favorite animal is a rabbit.

She was happy to hold Torpedo because she thinks rabbits are cute.

"He felt like velvet," she said about Torpedo.

Aldridge reminded the children to wash their hands because the animals carry germs.

This is the second year the library has done the 4-H program. There is a different topic at each of the six sessions. At the end of the program the children who attend all six sessions will receive a certificate and a ribbon.

On Friday, June 23, the topic will be insects. Aldridge told the children they could bring bugs dead or alive to examine under a microscope. There also is going to be a cricket Olympics.

Maxwell Kimball, 10, jokingly said he'd bring his iguana.