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.

Date: October 8, 2004
Author: Sharon Navarro
Contact: Tom Wickersham
(530) 756-0191

OUTREACH AND EVENT SPONSORS MAKE SCIENCE PROGRAMS POSSIBLE

"The family science night that was put on by Explorit Science Center and completely funded by the Oracle Corporation was fantastic! The students were excited by all of the hands on materials and the parents were very appreciative. I highly recommend this worthwhile event. Thank you Oracle Corporation," said Bob Capp, Principal at Sierra Elementary School, after his school was the recipient of a free Science in Your World program, courtesy of Oracle Corporation.

Explorit's "Science in Your World" traveling outreach program transforms schools into science museums for the ultimate family science night. The program offers dynamic and stimulating science experiences for all - solving math puzzles, marveling at the microscopic world, building bridge models, assembling a disarticulated human skeleton and much more

Oracle Corporation sponsored three Science in Your World programs this year that took place in Rocklin at Sierra Elementary, Cobblestone Elementary, and Twin Oaks Elementary schools.

Siemens is another new corporate partner this year, generously supporting Explorit's traveling outreach programs. Siemens will be sponsoring eight Science in Your World programs per school year for three years throughout the Sacramento region. In addition, Siemens will be the exclusive sponsor of Explorit's summer 2005 exhibition, "Construction Zone: Can You Build It?"

First Northern Bank has also launched a multi-year partnership with Explorit to bring Science in Your World to children and families in underserved, low and moderate-income communities that might not otherwise have access to museum quality science programs. 

First Northern Bank will be sponsoring five Science in Your World programs a year for five years for Yolo and Solano county schools that have at least 50% of students enrolled in the free or reduced meal program. 

Over 70% of Explorit's audience is reached through traveling outreach and these corporate outreach partners help make Explorit science programs accessible to a wider audience. "Science in Your World brings schools, families and community groups together through science" says Mackenzie Tysell, Explorit's Program Director.

Explorit also recognizes the contributions of recent event sponsors. The thirteenth annual Corporate Science Challenge, a fast paced "Jeopardy-like" science quiz, was held on Thursday, September 30. All proceeds from the event help make science-learning opportunities available to over 58,000 children and adults each year in the Greater Sacramento region.

Local and regional businesses sponsored the Corporate Science Challenge either by purchasing tables or by becoming Silver or Gold sponsors of the event.

Explorit extends special thanks to Gold sponsors Jonsson Family Foundation and Kaiser Permanente. Silver Sponsors were: Stephen C. Bick & Jill P. Slater; Comstock Johnson Architects; Jones & Stokes; Intel; Kelsch Consulting; Mars Incorporated; McDonough, Holland & Allen; Monsanto, Calgene Campus; Novozymes Biotech; PGP International; Siemens; and Wells Fargo.

"By participating in Explorit's Corporate Science Challenge, sponsors invest in quality science education programs, have fun and make a difference. We thank our donors for their essential support of our educational services to the region," said Suzanne Ullensvang, Executive Director for Explorit Science Center.

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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 5th St. in East Davis. The current exhibition "Inner Earth to Outer Space: Origins of Life and the Universe" 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.