EXPLORIT Science Center - Weekly Column

Can it be December all ready? It seems like it was just yesterday when we were preparing for the year 2000.

Well no, it wasn’t yesterday, and the year 2000 is coming to an end soon. Just like the calendar year comes to an end, Explorit Science Center will be wrapping up certain things in December.

This fall’s exhibition, a popular one with kids and adults ends sooner than you might think. Meanwhile, Explorit’s annual membership drive will end December 21.

The membership drive is a great opportunity for anyone who has considered becoming a member. The reason? If you join before December 21, you’ll be eligible to win one of many tasty, fun-filled or educational prizes.

Consider this year’s grand prize, a weekend getaway exploring science and having fun in San Jose. The prize package includes an overnight stay and breakfast at the Quality Suites-Silicon Valley, free admission to The Tech Museum of Innovation, two tickets to the Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater, and dinner for two at The Faultline Brewing Company.

Other prizes include a half case of selected, award-winning wines from Guenoc Winery, passes for two families aboard the Yolo Shortline Railroad, and tickets to a Sacramento Kings game.

Sarah Hrdy, author of the acclaimed book, Mother Nature, has donated two autographed copies to the Membership Drive.

There are lots of prize passes offered as well. UC Davis Present tickets, Sacramento Theatre Company tickets and passes to Tower Theater are all going to be given away.

Gift certificates to The Naturalist, The Next Chapter, The Pottery Place, and Redwood Barn Nursery are also prizes as well as lunch at Morrison’s Upstairs Restaurant, four-pack samplers from Brew It Up!, delicious goodies from Konditorei Austrian Pastry Cafe, a climbing package from Rocknasium, membership in TREE Davis, and a subscription to The Humor Times, a publication of The Comic Press News.

Each tax-deductible membership contribution makes a difference in helping Explorit provide the unique, hands-on science programs they’ve been offering since 1982.

Although Explorit’s membership drive doesn’t end until December 21, the current exhibition ends tomorrow.

That’s right, the popular “Figure it Out! Puzzles and Challenges” ends Saturday. Visiting hours on Saturday are from 11 to 4:30 p.m.

That means only one more day to tease your brain as you try to wiggle out of conundrums, puzzles and mazes. Bring a friend and try some of the challenging two player games.

If you become a member, you’ll be able to visit this unique exhibition (before it closes) and all our upcoming exhibitions for free! Upcoming exhibitions include “Hey, What’s that Sound? The Science of Music,” which opens Dec. 9 and runs through Feb. 3; “2001: A Space Adventure,” from Feb. 10 to Apr. 7; “Creature Features: Exploring Wetlands Wildlife,” from Apr. 14 to June 10; and “Picture This! Math and Science in the Arts,” from June 23 through Sept. 29, 2001.

Explorit Science Center is at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is “Figure it Out! Puzzles and Challenges.” Public hours are Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Explorit Science Center Weekly Column