June 11, 2010

Summer Camp Fun begins June 14!
By Megan Contreras

Explorit Summer Science Camp starts next week! Themes this year include ecology, oceanography, photography, inventions, and the senses. There are still a few spaces available in some of the sections. Interested parties can call Explorit Monday-Friday between 9:00am and 4:30pm.

Explorit's camp is made possible by a dynamic team of staff and volunteers-and the generous support of Explorit members and local organizations, including ScholarShare and Intel. For the second year in a row, families will have the opportunity to learn about ScholarShare (California's official 529 college savings plan) and the plan's benefits. Also a second time sponsor of camp, Intel has given support towards a robotics component of camp that will later be infused into Explorit's 2010-2011 outreach programs, such as the Young Scientist Series and Family Science Nights.

Each year Explorit offers scholarships for camps, based on financial need. This year, thanks to the support of community members donating to Explorit's Sassenrath Fund, Explorit was able to award at least one scholarship to all the families who applied. Donations to the Sassenrath Fund are also accepted year-round to award scholarships to schools in need.

Explorit's camps emphasize active learning through age-appropriate experiments, hands-on activities, and problem-solving. Here's an activity-related to the "Good Senses" section of camp- to get you warmed up for summer time:

Think It: Your muscles, bones, joints, and nervous system control your limbs.

Try It: While sitting in a chair, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand.

Explorit: What happened to your foot? Did it change direction? In most cases, the answer is yes. If you cannot keep your foot rotating clockwise, no matter how hard you try, you are not alone.

Think about riding a bike, swinging a bat, walking, or folding clothes. Do your limbs move in conjunction with one another? or in contradiction to one another? The actions (although they are 'alternating' / mirror images) are in the same direction. Because most actions require coordinated muscle movements, the brain has more trouble coordinating movements that are in different directions, or non-isodirectional.

Try this other little muscle coordination test: Rotate the index fingers of both hands in the same direction, slowly at first, then faster and faster. Pretty soon, they will be going in opposite directions!

What other things can you think of that are seemingly easy to do but nearly impossible?

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Upcoming Explorit events:

Tonight: Explorit and Black Diamond Productions will be hosting "Science of Sound II," which will be teen-friendly and alcohol-free. The event features presentations, workshops, and a DJ competition. Tickets (for ages 12 and up) are available at http://www.sci-sound2.eventbrite.com and at the event ($5 for Explorit members, $10 for non-members, cash only).

Tomorrow: Explorit recently acquired an Aeolian Landscape. Come visit Explorit at 2801 2nd Street beginning Saturday at 10am to find out what it is.

Explorit is one of three finalists in the Yolo Federal Credit Union "Give A Click" Program. To vote, visit http://www.yolofcu.org/promotions.htm?yolotabs=2. You do not need to sign up for anything or provide personal information in order to vote. The organization that receives the most votes between now and June 15th will receive a $1,500 donation. Thank you for your support!

Tuesday, June 15: Free Admission Tuesday. This is the last free admission day in the series sponsored by the Kelly Foundation.

Wednesday, June 16: Explorit will be at the Davis Farmer's Market with a table sponsored by Woodland Healthcare. This week's event will feature activities about lungs highlighting the diaphragm, oxygen, the effects of smoking, and asthma.

Sunday, June 20: To celebrate Father's Day, Explorit will provide free admission to dads at 2801 2nd Street from 11am-5pm.

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Explorit Science Center, at 2801 Second Street, 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. - 5 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. For more information: (530) 756-0191 or http://www.explorit.org.