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Article for: The Davis Enterprise
Date: August 29, 2003
Author: Jessica Ruskin
Contact: Tom Wickersham

TAKE THE CHALLENGE FOR SCIENCE

If you were advised to consume great quantities of theobromine and phenylethylamine, what would you bring home from the supermarket? A gallon of wine? A gross of chocolate bars? Hundreds of cough drops? Or dozens of strips of chewing gum?

If you answered chocolate bars, you should consider competing in Explorit Science Center's 12th annual Corporate Science Challenge. Whether you play "Just for Fun" or take on the "Serious Scientists," you're sure to have a blast helping raise funds for Explorit Science Center.

The 12th Annual Corporate Science Challenge is a fast-paced quiz game with teams competing to answer science and science fiction questions in the style of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." This year, the Corporate Science Challenge will take place on Thursday, September 25 from 5:30 - 9:30p.m. at Freeborn Hall on the University of California, Davis campus.

More than 40 teams, consisting of eight players each, will enjoy dinner, cocktails, and a silent auction before competing in one of two divisions: "Just for Fun" or "Serious Scientists." Two trophies, one for each division, will be awarded at the end of the game.

The game consists of seven rounds of multiple choice questions in categories such as "Science Fiction," and "Why Didn't I Think of That?". Teams can even bid on science consultants to join their table for a couple rounds.

"Each year, this event gets bigger and better," says Suzanne Ullensvang, executive director of Explorit Science Center. "As a fun new twist for 2003, we'll be awarding team spirit prizes in addition to trophies in the Just for Fun and Serious Scientist categories,"

Teams can compete in the Science Challenge for $1,000 per table. Teams can also become a Gold or Silver sponsor for $5,000 or $2,500 respectively. Gold sponsors can enter two teams into the competition. They also receive $300 in "bid bucks" for the science consultant auction. Silver sponsors can enter one team into the competition and will receive $150 in "bid bucks."

This year's Gold sponsors are the Jonsson Family Foundation and Kaiser Permanente. Silver sponsors include: Stephen C. Bick, CPA, CFP & Jill P. Slater; Intel Corporation; Jones & Stokes; Mars Incorporated; McDonough, Holland & Allen; Monsanto, Calgene Campus; Novozymes Biotech; PGP International; Renessen; Sacramento Business Journal; UC Davis Office of Research; and Wells Fargo.

"We're appreciative of the many longtime Explorit supporters returning with teams," says Ullensvang. "Their participation in the Science Challenge enables us to sustain and grow our education programs throughout the year. We're also delighted to welcome a number of first time teams and are working hard to make sure everyone has a great evening."

All proceeds from the Corporate Science Challenge will benefit Explorit Science Center. Explorit is a non-profit science center that has been providing hands-on science education opportunities to children for the past 21 years. Formed as a grassroots, volunteer-based organization, Explorit now reaches over 47,000 people a year in a 14-county area including and surrounding Yolo County.

Explorit offers field trips and outreach programs for schools as well as interactive exhibitions and special programs for families. This past year, Explorit delivered after school programs to over 500 children attending seven low-income schools in West Sacramento, North Sacramento and Meadowview. All of Explorit's programs engage children in science learning by asking them to touch, question, experiment, and inquire.

This September, awaken the scientist inside yourself by putting a team together and participating in Explorit's Corporate Science Challenge. Not only might your team walk away with a trophy but your money will help awaken the scientist in thousands of children throughout the greater Sacramento region.

A handful of tables still remain for teams interested in signing up... but hurry, space is limited! To become a sponsor or to learn more, call (530) 756-0191 or visit www.explorit.org/events/corporate_challenge.html.
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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "Count on It: Numbers in Nature," which continues through Sept. 27. 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. For more information, visit www.explorit.org or call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.