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Explorit Science Center Weekly Column
This page contains the material submitted to the local paper - The Davis Enterprise - for Explorit Science Center's news column published in
that paper on Fridays.
Date: March 30, 2007
Author: Suzanne Ullensvang Spring bursts out at Explorit's Mace Park Branch Spring is in full swing at Explorit! During this busy school field trip season, hundreds of children, teachers and chaperones are visiting for hands-on science field trips each week. A highlight this spring is the re-emergence of Explorit’s site in Mace Ranch Community Park after a winter dormancy. Now dubbed Explorit’s Mace Park Branch, the site serves as the hub for the center’s expanding nature programs. New this year are the Nature Safari and Nature Lab programs for visiting school groups. During Safaris, Explorit educators take groups on guided outdoor explorations around the park. While at first glance Mace Ranch Park might appear to be simply a carefully groomed park, groups quickly discover there’s a surprising variety of wildlife and nature to observe. When Korematsu Elementary School teacher Mike Taylor took a Nature Safari with his group of first graders last week, he noted that while his students are lucky to be able to visit the park frequently, “It was awesome to see the kids learn about and appreciate nature in the park in a completely new way – they loved the whole experience.” A popular stop on the safari tour is the habitat area where many groups get a glimpse of the resident burrowing owls. Even without an owl spotting, the classes love to learn about the non-polluting lawn mowers (goats) that are visiting to keep the grass clipped to an owl-friendly height. Complementary Nature Lab programs take place indoors at the Mace Park Branch and offer equally exciting experiences with critters and plants. Groups meet some of Explorit’s resident live animals up close as they explore adaptations, life cycles and more. One of the favorite Nature Lab experiences for many kids is finding bugs and observing them under the magnifiers. Jashauna Benavente, a student at Loomis Grammar School who visited with her class Thursday, reported that “I like the station where we sorted through the dirt. We found rollie-pollies, ants, worms and lots of other bugs.” Along the way students learn about the role insects and other animals play in the park ecosystem. About 90 groups have already signed up for Nature Lab and Nature Safari programs this spring. That’s more than 2,000 children plus their teachers and chaperones! Many groups from Davis elementary schools have visits scheduled; other groups are traveling from as far away as Stockton and Vallejo to participate. Public visitors are invited to come experience some of these fun nature activities during Explorit’s 25th anniversary festival on April 28. The Mace Park Branch will be equally busy this summer as the central site for Explorit’s science camps. Explorit is accepting enrollment applications for its random-drawing process through April 16. Open enrollment of any remaining spots begins May 1. And mark your calendars for the Thursday Family Science Programs that will also take place at the Mace Park Branch. Every Thursday evening between June 18 and Aug. 24, kids and adults can come try out some exciting hands-on experiments. Each event is free, open to the public and fun for all ages. ______________ On Saturday, discover the nature of sound at a Family Exploration called “Sound Off.” Explorit will have waves of hands-on sound activities for your exploration of the topic from 1-4 p.m. The program is free with paid admission to the museum. |