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Article for: The Davis Enterprise
Date: May 30, 2003
Author: Mackenzie Tysell
Contact: Tom Wickersham

A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERY "BODY"

From insects to humans, every organism has unique physical features to sense the outside world, find nourishment, and seek shelter. While some species' bodies may seem simple, all have layers of complexity. Monarch butterflies, for example, use BOTH a biological clock and the sun to navigate a 2,000-mile trek to Mexico each fall.

How does this seemingly fragile creature accomplish such a feat? Unlike bees, who learn their routes, the monarchs that migrate south have never been to Mexico before. The changing patterns of the sun trigger a specific gene to release chemicals, which aid in the navigation.

If, in the laboratory, the pattern of day and night is shifted, so is the release of the chemicals. A monarch that would fly southwest under normal circumstances will fly southeast if the sun pattern is shifted six hours earlier.

Every creature, large or small, contains amazingly complex biological mechanisms, such as that of the monarch navigation prowess.

"Part of the complexity arises from the fact that the body has different levels of organization. We must study the body on the molecular, cellular, and organ-system level to understand how the body works," says David Tellalian, a student of neurobiology, physiology, and behavior (NPB) at UC Davis. The NPB major is the study of the basic functions common to all animal life.

Tomorrow, Explorit will provide several opportunities for visitors to explore a variety of animal life, including behaviors of both insects and humans.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Tellalian and other members of the NPB Club will be at Explorit to help visitors understand how their own bodies function. This student-run event will be a "drop-in" program and will run for the entire two hours. Participation in this program is free of charge. The club will have both demonstrations as well as hands-on activities for kids and families to enjoy. Find out how long the human digestive tract is, discover blind spots, and explore the sense of balance.

At Explorit's latest exhibition - "What's the Buzz? Insects Around Us" - visitors can enact the waggle dance of a honeybee and simulate the migration of a monarch. Visitors will also be able to observe live insects. Of particular interest are the walking sticks, which have graduated to a new, larger enclosure.

Said Tellalian, "The human body is a very complex machine. It's fascinating to study how all the elements of that machine work together to create a living, breathing human being."

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Explorit welcomes community members to attend a free workshop conducted by artist Sam Tubiolo, the artist tapped to develop the Neighborhood Art Project in Mace Ranch Community Park.

The workshop is from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 at Explorit. Participants will explore the proposed art site, take notes about the experience of the natural environment, and make on-location drawings. Students will then return to the workshop room to discuss their discoveries and then transform their images and ideas into clay tiles for inclusion in the permanent public art pieces.

The workshop is appropriate for all ages. Children under six are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Drop in at any time to participate or observe. Field trips to the site will take place at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Admission to the workshop is free of charge.

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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "What's the Buzz? Insects around Us," which continues through June 8. 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.