July 9, 2010

Local Company "Gives Back" To Explorit
By Lindsay Poss

The week of June 14-18 was an exciting week at Explorit Science Center. We were lucky enough to be chosen as a local non-profit organization to participate in "Genentech Gives Back Week." The Vacaville-based company's motto for the week of service was "Work Hard, Play Hard, Give Back" ... and they certainly did that for us! Genentech has been a financial supporter of Explorit Science Center since 1998, so it was great to have them involved in other aspects of our organization as well!

A highlight of the week was a bin of donated items that was requested from Explorit Science Center. Genentech employees filled a 45 gallon bin with all sorts of new and used items for our hands-on science education programs, such as pencils, glue sticks, crayons, construction paper, Alka Seltzer tablets, wire hangers, empty yogurt containers/cups, empty egg cartons, toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, rope, and salt. If you have any of these items just sitting around your house, feel free to collect them for us as well and bring them by either one of our locations during business hours. You would be surprised what local schoolchildren can make out of these items!

On Wednesday, June 16th, over 25 local non-profit organizations were invited to the Genentech facility in Vacaville to take part in a non-profit showcase exposition over the employees' noon hour. Informational tables were set up and hundreds of employees were encouraged to stop by and learn more about the community they both live and work in.

As a part of the week, Genentech employees were able to choose a local non-profit to spend their day volunteering with. On Friday, June 18th, four volunteers assisted at Explorit's Science Center and Nature Center sites with landscaping, weeding, cleaning off picnic benches and bike pods, washing windows, assembling evaluation packets, assisting with Summer Science Camp classes, and assembling the new IKEA corner at our museum site.

Said one volunteer, Roshan Shrestha, "although I had heard about the Center before, this was the first time I actually went inside the building. I was impressed by the display of hands-on experimental models set up throughout museum. Walls and hallways had posters with scientific fun-facts and thought-provoking questions. The two-story museum also included classroom, bookshelves, stuffed and live creatures, and reading area."

Explorit Science Center had recently received some furniture and toys from IKEA. Shrestha commented "My project was to set them up at the toddler corner within the museum. Some items (like two wooden shelves, two round tables, and four chairs) needed to be set up from the box, while others (like the toys and two rugs) needed to be arranged within the corner area. Jon and Lindsay from Explorit Science Center helped me with the tools, clearing the area, and providing guidance while I set up the area. I am glad to have been able to volunteer at the Center. I enjoyed meeting the two friendly staff there and observing how the Center works towards providing hands-on science skills and knowledge to children and adults."

Explorit Science Center would like to thank Genentech for this opportunity and we look forward to participating again next year!

On a related note, make sure to come and check out the unveiling of the IKEA-West Sacramento Little Explorers' Corner and additional arts and crafts on our outdoor patio at our upcoming Toddler Tuesday party on Tuesday, July 13:

Open regular hours,10am-5pm. Unveiling ceremony at 11am

Music Matt and Dinger from the River Cats will both there to celebrate

Cookies and bottles of water for all guests

Come meet one of Explorit's resident reptiles!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Explorit Science Center, at 2801 Second St., has two exhibitions on display: "Move It! Science in Action" and "Take Matter Into Your Own Hands." Admission is $4 general, free for teachers, and ages 3 and under. The museum is open to school groups by reservation and to the general public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. For more information call (530) 756-0191 or visit http://www.explorit.org.