Summer’s end launches season of science fun at Explorit

With fall just around the corner, here’s a glimpse into some of what’s in store at Explorit:

• First, our new Stream Table will be officially unveiled at 2 p.m. Wednesday at our main site, 2801 Second St. The table is actually a trough, filled with 200 pounds of sand and flowing water. Visitors can get their hands wet exploring water flow, erosion and soil deposits, slope changes and how dams work. We purchased it with a $2,500 grant from California American Water. It is permanently installed in our Yocha-de-He Community Fund Wet Lab.

• We’ll celebrate the end of summer with a free outdoor concert for families. On Aug. 27 at our Mace Park Branch (3141 Fifth St.), Music Matt will perform from of his family-friendly repertoire. Expect songs about science, the environment and other educational – and fun – topics. The concert will he hosted by Merryhill Elementary School from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Jamba Juice will offer refreshments; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the science center.

• As September approaches, we’ll clean up after a busy 10 weeks of Summer Science Camp and turn our attention to school programs. Our 2009-10 Program Guide is available in print and online, so teachers and PTA leaders can peruse our offerings and choose from four field trips and four traveling programs. Learn more at http://www.explorit.org.

• Our fall Changing Exhibition opens on Sept. 19. In “Communication! Coming in Loud and Clear,” visitors will learn that communication is critical for survival for all living creates. Examine animal colors and sounds, the history of human communication and the technology that is changing the way we connect.

• September is College Savings Month. We’ll have a special Free Admission Day on Sunday, Sept. 20, sponsored by ScholarShare College Savings Plan. ScholarShare is California’s tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan.  Learn more at www.scholarshare.com.

• Explorit will participate in the Smithsonian Museum Day 2009 on Saturday, Sept. 26. You can enjoy Explorit at no charge if you present a Smithsonian Free Admission Day card, which is available for download and printing at www.smithsonian.com. Hundreds of museums and cultural institution participate in this annual event. By the way, admission is always free at Explorit on the fourth Friday of the month.

• If you’ve heard about Explorit’s Science Challenge for years and always wanted to attend, this is your opportunity. For the first time, individual tickets will be sold to the event, which includes dinner, wine and a multimedia science game in which tables of eight compete as teams. The 18th annual Challenge will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Freeborn Hall on the UC Davis campus. It is Explorit’s only major fund-raising event of the year. Individual tickets are at $125; $100 of that is tax-deductible. For more information, visit www.explorit.org or call Kimberly Cox, development director, at (530) 756-0191 or kcox@explorit.org.

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Explorit Science Center is at 2801 Second St., Davis. Public hours: 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission is $4 general, free for ages 3 and under. For more information: (530) 756-0191 or www.explorit.org.