1. “A Penny Plain and Twopence Colored” Robert Louis Stevenson essay on Penny Theater, 1887 A project to adapt Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Halley Came to Jackson” to the Penny Theater format for 4-8 Year Olds Jan, Dan, Matthew, & Peter Jablonski; Maureen & Charlie Green; Megan Wyble; Margaret Ardillo Noyes Children’s Library Foundation, Kensington, MD www.NoyesLibraryFoundation.org Presented at the 2014 March Meeting of the American Physical Society, Denver, CO

2. Halley Came to Jackson Mary Chapin Carpenter, illus. by Dan Andreasen (HarperCollins, 1992) March 4, 2014Noyes Children's Library Foundation2 A song and picturebook about the coming of Halley’s Comet in 1910 and 1986 Based on the life of author Eudora Welty Springboard for discussing the stars, planets, and Halley’s Comet with children An especially effective way to build understanding of time.

3. Penny Theater March 4, 2014Noyes Children's Library Foundation3 Tabletop size theater Has lights, scenery, props, characters, and other elements characteristic of live theater Is an art form based on handheld toy theaters enjoyed by children during England’s Victorian era, used to bring children’s stories to life.

4. Project Notes March 4, 2014Noyes Children's Library Foundation4 Existing tabletop Penny Theaters were more than 40 years old, and used dated technology Project funded construction of three state-of-the-art Penny Theaters with computer-controlled LED color lighting Decisions in set design for “Halley” based on both science and learning style of young children.

5. “Halley” showings are presented in ways that enhance young children’s learning March 4, 2014Noyes Children's Library Foundation5 Children are encouraged to bring and wear homemade “space helmets” to the performance. A brief orientation is given at the beginning of the show. Children can watch multiple performances. There are related activities (crafts, Alka Seltzer rockets, etc.) Lists of museums, planetariums, books, and other activities are provided.

6. Outcome March 4, 2014Noyes Children's Library Foundation6 “Halley” has been presented to 1200 viewers to date. The “Halley” penny theater sets (there are multiple copies) and the three new stages will be used for decades to come.

7. The Video March 4, 2014Noyes Children's Library Foundation7 Note changes in scenery between 1910 and 1986 Growth of trees Style of cars and bikes Clothing Aging of Eudora Welty Unchanged features Houses and street Comet