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Date: February 20, 2009
Author: Liz Shenaut

New exhibit explores energy and how we use it

Has energy touched your life lately? That’s a trick question – certainly, energy touches all of our lives every day. At Explorit Science Center, we are excited to give you ways to explore the topic in the Changing Exhibition “The Energy Story,” opening Saturday at our main site, 2801 Second St.

All sorts of hands-on activities await Explorit visitors through May 24 at the exhibition, which can be found upstairs in the Gumerlock Gallery. Here’s a sample:

• Investigate the nature and behavior of light using a laser in a special darkened area of the exhibit hall.
  
• Create a circuit with batteries and common household items.
  
• Generate electricity with a water wheel.
  
• Experiment with heat conduction through various materials.
  
• Set up dominoes to demonstrate a nuclear chain reaction.
  
• Observe how energy is generated by a wind turbine and a solar cell.
  
• Explore the many forms of electromagnetic energy, from radio waves to ultraviolet light.
  

 That’s not all, of course, but we don’t want to give everything away.
           
 "The Energy Story" exhibition was designed not only to stimulate people's curiosity about the broad topic of energy, but also to make them think about the ways in which they can conserve our precious energy resources.
 “Visitors will gain a better understanding of energy in general, but also will learn about the pros and cons of the types of energy we use – both renewable and non-renewable – so they can make informed choices about our energy future,” says Anna Grace, exhibits coordinator. “This is a really important issue right now.”
          
 As always, the exhibits are designed for all ages to enjoy and learn together.
 
“Families should come away from the exhibition with a new sense of wonder and a better understanding of how energy affects all our lives,” Grace says.

“The Energy Story” exhibition is sponsored by Pacific Gas & Electric and Davis Waste Removal. Admission to Explorit’s public hours ($4 general, free for ages 3 and under) includes this new exhibition and a long-term exhibition, “Move it! Science in Motion,” downstairs in the Jonsson Family Gallery.
Other attractions in the museum: The Discovery Room (which includes a Robotix table and Animation Station), the Challenge Center, the Wet Lab and the Closer Look Microscope Nook.
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Explorit Science Center is open 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday at 2801 Second St., Davis. Admission is $4 general, free for ages 3 and under. For more information: www.explorit.org or (530) 756-0191.