Archive Index ... Column Index
By: Selena Littrell
Have your summer energy bills made you hot under the collar? Explorit's "Summer Science Sampler" gives you the opportunity to investigate energy and energy efficiency.
Test light bulbs to find out their efficiency. Discover which type of bulb gives off the most light for the amount of energy it uses. Explorit provides the tools to measure a bulbs brightness, which, when divided by the wattage of the bulb, lets you compare bulbs for efficiency.
Which bulbs are ahead of the pack? Fluorescent bulbs deliver greater brightness per watt than incandescent bulbs. When you use fluorescent bulbs, you save energy by using 1/5 - 1/3 as much electricity as incandescent lighting of the same brightness.
Investigate the conversion of light to electrical energy at several of Explorit's activity tables.
You also use the sun's energy directly. How is the sun a clothes dryer? How does the sun give plants the energy they need to grow?
Explorit will be closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday. Normal public hours are Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Explorit is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis.
Regular admission is $3. Members, teachers and children under 4 are always free. For more information, call Explorit at 756-0191 or visit Explorit's web site at http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/GO/EXPLORIT/.
Explorit needs you for Dinner at the Dump, to be held Thursday, September 12, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Davis Waste Removal recycling center on East 2nd Street. This all-you-can-eat dinner will feature a variety of food and drinks from local businesses as well as live music.
This is an annual fund-raiser for local non-profit organizations. Proceeds from this year's event will be awarded to Explorit for purchase of a portable classroom. Have a great time at this annual social event and show your support for Explorit's science education programs.
Explorit also needs help from about 100 volunteers. Volunteers will serve food, manage entertainment areas and clean up.
Individuals and groups are urged to help. This is the perfect opportunity for your service organization to earn volunteer hours and have a great time as well. Volunteers must purchase tickets, but will be able to enjoy the festivities before or after shifts.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children under 12. Tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call Explorit at 756-0191.
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It's once again time to save your Nugget Market grocery receipts. Explorit is collecting your receipts dated September 1, 1996-June 15, 1997.
As participants of the "Friendship Club," Explorit will receive a donation equivalent to 1% of the total of all Nugget register receipts (minus the tax) collected. Unfortunately, receipts of purchases made using a Visa or Master Card are not eligible. Please deposit your receipts in the box in Explorit's foyer or send them to: Explorit Science Center, P.O. Box 1288, Davis, CA 95617-1288.
Even receipts for small purchases will add up over the up-coming year. Supporting Explorit through the "Friendship Club" is easy and, because you may shop at neighboring Nugget Market anyway, costs you nothing. Last year's donation from Nugget Market was almost $100 and the donation from 1994-95 was over $300. Thank you!
The new Entertainment Books have arrived. This popular coupon book offers discounts on hundreds of restaurants, recreation places (including Explorit Science Center) and stores.
Entertainment Books sell for $40. Explorit will receive $8 for each book sold, so please get yours from the Center.
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On Sunday, September 15th, Webelos will open their eyes to a world of wonder when they participate in Explorit's special Webelo Science Day. From 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Webelos will investigate several science topics including air pressure, the physics of motion, optical illusions and simple machines. Participants will earn the Webelo science pin.
Space is limited, but still available, so sign up early. Sign up by Friday, September 6 and pay only $5 per participant. Later applicants will pay $7. For more information, call Suzanne Emerson at 756-2889.
Explorit Science Center and the Webelo Scouts of Yolo County are looking for underwriters of this new, exciting program. To completely cover the costs of producing it, local businesses are asked to donate $100-$300. If you can help, please call Explorit at 756-0191.