Explorit's new building is full of "Holes"

Kids just can't seem to resist hoisting themselves onto Explorit Science Center's new rock-climbing wall. They dash toward it as they enter the gallery, says Dave Roser, exhibit interpreter.

Of course, since the wall is at Explorit, there is science discovery to go with it. The wall is part of a newly opened exhibition called "Holes: An Opening Into the Sciences." About 150 people explored "Holes" last weekend and got a first glimpse of Explorit's new digs at 2801 Second St. in the former Davis Indoor Sports Center. The new site officially opened to the public on Saturday. Regular public hours are 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.   Saturday-Sunday and 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

"People seem to like the new space," says Suzanne Ullensvang, Explorit's executive director. "It's gratifying to have staff and volunteers put so much time into something and have something so exciting to show for it."

     Ullensvang was on hand Saturday to greet visitors, and she watched as they peered left into the former pro shop - now called the Discovery Room - and peered right the Explorit Store, stocked with science-related merchandise.

Then, visitors headed to the reception area and beyond, into the Exhibition Gallery, home of "Holes."

The 27 exhibits that make up "Holes" cross the science disciplines. There are holes made by nature and holes made by humans, even holes (begin italic) in (end italic) humans, such as an exhibit on ear canals.

" 'Holes' is a topic that tickles one's mental fancy," says exhibit co-creator Anna Grace. "Some of the exhibits are pretty intriguing, and they pull kids to them like magnets."

Besides the rock-climbing wall, which was installed with help from Rocknasium, young visitors seem especially drawn to an exhibit in which they can float a lightweight ball on an upright jet of air. What they can't see is a vacuum cleaner forcing the air up out of a hole in the base of a table.

The kids can try floating a whiffle ball and various solid balls, leading them to ask why whiffle balls have holes and golf balls have dimples. (You'll have to visit Explorit to discover the answer for yourself.)

Explorit's outdoor patio also holds some popular exhibits - an archeological dig and an exploration of gold-mining. Another kid-friendly exhibit is the Discovery Room's camera obscura.

"It's a big box - a giant pinhole camera," Grace says. "You sit inside and see the view from outside, upside down."

For the next week or so, Grace and other Explorit staff members will be tweaking the new exhibits to make them as user-friendly as possible. Meanwhile, other staff members are making plans for a Grand Opening Celebration at the new building.

The festivities will be held from 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Oct. 14, with a ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m. Various special activities will be scattered through the day, and there will be light refreshments and prizes.

All are invited.

  "This is a big moment in Explorit's 24-year history, and we want the community to share it with us," Ullensvang said.

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Explorit Science Center is open at its new site, 2801 Second St., Davis. Through Dec. 10, you can visit the exhibition "Holes: An Opening Into the Sciences." 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.