This page contains the material submitted to the local paper - The Davis Enterprise - for Explorit Science Center's news column published in that paper on Fridays.

Article for: The Davis Enterprise
Date: April 30, 2004
Author: Pamela Emery

SPACES REMAIN IN EXPLORIT'S SUMMER CLASSES

Summertime is upon us. It is a time for unique experiences, adventure, and exploration.

One doesn't need to travel far for memorable experiences. Informal education opportunities that provide time for exploring as well as reflecting are available at Davis's Explorit Science Center. This non-profit science center provides just what youth enjoy: a place to tinker, a place to learn, and a place to think about the science and math that makes it all happen.

There is still some room in select Summer Science Classes at Explorit. Although the first round of class selection is complete, walk-in registrations will begin Monday, May 3 at 9 a.m. Many of the classes, especially the full-day programs, have spaces remaining. But it is on a first come-first served basis, so families that are still interested in participating should visit Explorit as soon as they can.

The classes are weeklong and are available to children going into preschool through grade 5. There are morning and full day options available.

For many years, the Summer Science Classes filled quickly due to space limitations; however, partnerships with the Davis Joint Unified School District and Fairytale Town in Sacramento, have enabled Explorit to expand its programs the past few summers. Explorit's schedule of Summer Science Classes can be viewed on Explorit's Web site <www.explorit.org>. Schedules are also available at Explorit.

At the end of the summer, hundreds of local youth will know more about the plants and animals in their backyard, the stars in the night sky, and the unique characteristics of electricity, magnetism and more all because of their experiences at Explorit.

To see the world through the eyes of a youngster is fascinating and stimulating. Many of the summer classes involve a family night component. Are the markings on a seashell in a pattern? Where does the electricity come from that cools buildings? What makes a spinning top stay upright? And why are rocks the colors they are? All people, young and old, should take some time this summer to think about the world around them-science and mathematics style.

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Explorit's new program, the Dennis Smith Family Astronomy series begins tomorrow evening.

Venus and other planets - Mars, Saturn and Jupiter - are all currently visible in the evening sky. With the help of members of the Astronomy Club, visitors to Explorit on Saturday evening will be able to view the planets through various telescopes. There will also be some fascinating up-close looks at the moon.

The free program begins at 7:00 p.m. with lots of hands-on activities appropriate for children and adults. Program coordinator Tara Barbier says that many of the activities demonstrate the differences between the planets in our solar system. "Kids can also make their own miniature space rockets," Barbier added.

As the evening gets darker, the program will move to the out-of-doors where viewings of the planets, the moon and other celestial bodies will take place. There will be good views of the planets, in particular, the rings of Saturn.

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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition "Networks in Nature: The Original World Wide Web" runs through June 6. Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.explorit.org or call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.