Be a party animal at Explorit in 2007

Planet Earth has nearly completed its orbit around the Sun to mark the end of another year, and because of it we’re all a little older if not a little wiser. 2007 is just around the corner and with it comes an entire new year full birthdays to plan and to celebrate. Fortunately, Explorit Science Center can help ease some of the stress that comes with party planning and let you enjoy more of the celebration with the launch of the new Birthday Party program in January.

Explorit Birthday Party packages offer hands-on and minds-on science fun for children ages 4-11. Parties take place in the Explorer Room in the new main public site at 2801 Second St. in Davis. Parties take place on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. Prices start at $90 for 10 children. For more information, call Explorit at (530) 756-0191 or visit www.explorit.org.

There are two party packages to choose from. The Basic Party, a 90-minute celebration, offers your group use of the Explorer Room for your own activities and food plus time in the museum exhibit hall to explore all of the science activities in the Changing Exhibition.

The Super Party includes use of the Explorer Room for two hours, time in the exhibit hall and an hour of educator-led group activities of a chosen theme with a make-'n'-take item for every party guest. The six themes include:

• Slither, Leap and Hop
Learn about animals from around the world, the classes they fit into and how their special adaptations help them survive. Experience how a walking stick insect walks, discover how snakes move without legs, and touch some live animals (snakes, cockroaches, millipedes and more).

• Fascinating Fossils
Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago, but we can still learn about them today. Discover how paleontologists learn about these ancient reptiles by investigating real fossils and replicas. Investigate reptiles that live today and what links them to the dinosaurs of the past. Meet and hold a live reptile, too.

• Magical Chem-Mysteries
Magic is more than just illusions and card tricks. It’s science! Use a purple “potion” to make liquids change color, watch as a powder expands by adding water, and blow out a candle without using your breath. Understand why these magic tricks can actually be explained by science.

• Scientastic Sleuthing (best for ages 6 and older)
Use scientific principles to investigate a mock crime scene. Get out your magnifying glass and put on your thinking cap in this mystery program where you collect clues just like a detective. Chemical tests and fingerprint examination are two of several activities that will lead to the mystery’s solution.

• Starry Science
From planets to stars and beyond, this out-of-this-world program is sure to be a gas as you use the tools of astronomers to detect what makes up a nebula, discover the interesting properties of Mars sand, and count down to launch a simple rocket that you design. You’ll never look at the night sky the same way again.

• Inventor’s Challenge
Explore concepts of design and architecture through the use of a variety of building materials. Assemble various parts to construct a creation that you can walk into or connect pieces to create bridges that span the length of the room. The only limit is your imagination.

Both party packages include acknowledgment of birthday child at the entrance to Explorit, a certificate and an announcement of the child’s name over Explorit’s public address system. Additionally, each party guest receives a nametag plus a $1 coupon to purchase an item in the Explorit store. To make sure your guests arrive on time to the party location, we’ll even provide a map with the date and time of the party for your invitations. Last, both parties can be designed to include skating at the adjoining DISC rink.

Let Explorit provide the location and activities for your child’s party next year. We’ll serve up a memorable event for your child and a group of friends. They might even learn a few things that will help them along in their upcoming trips around the Sun.

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Explorit Science Center is open at its new site, 2801 Second St., Davis. Through March 11, you can visit the exhibition “From Codes to Crystals: Patterns all Around.” 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: www.explorit.org or (530) 756-0191.