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: December 19, 2003
Author: Pamela Emery

SCIENCE EXPLORING DOES NOT GO ON VACATION

Tired of spending too much money this holiday season? How about giving the gift that counts and spend some time with your family! Create some special memories at Explorit where there is lots to do this week!

Tomorrow take a wintertime nature walk and investigate the many clues, tracks and bones that animals have left behind. Then examine animal bones, beaks and skulls. The program is from 1-4:30. The walking component of "Backyard Clues" is 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Do you and your youngsters like to tinker and build? If so, use your imagination and engineering creativity to design and construct simple machines and models of bridges with ingenious building materials. "Construction Craze" combines fun with the learning of the science concepts of pushes and pulls, forces, and work. This program is offered on two separate days. Participate on December 26th or 27th from 1 to 4 p.m.

"Backyard Clues" and "Construction Craze" are sponsored by Davis Waste Removal and are free to members or with paid admission to the exhibition, "Get a Clue! Solving Mysteries with Science." The exhibition offers hands-on activities exploring forensic science by exploring fingerprints, analyzing hair, and performing chromatography... all to find out "Who done it?"

In addition to these drop-in programs, there are still some spaces in two of the Winter Science Classes offered the first week of winter break. While you take a bit of time for yourself, your child can learn a little science and then bring home something for the family.

Mackenzie Tysell, Program Director added, "If you'd rather, you are welcome to stay and participate in the class. Parents are always welcome." Tysell wants everyone to know that there are "limited spaces in the morning Winter Vacation Classes but still plenty of room in the afternoon sessions."

On Monday, children will have the opportunity to make fragrances, marbled gift-cards and other surprises in "Science Savvy Gift Workshop."

"Holiday House Construction," a science twist to the traditional gingerbread house making activity, is offered Tuesday, Dec. 23.

Both classes are offered from 10 until noon and again from 1 to 3 p.m. Classes are a cost of $12 per Explorit member or $15 for non-members. Advance registration is required.

Take time to learn look, smell, touch, listen and taste the science around you this winter vacation!

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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "Get a Clue! Solving Mysteries with Science," which continues through Mar. 7. 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.