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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.

December 17, 1999

By: Tom Wickersham


FEW SPACES REMAIN IN EXPLORIT’S WINTER SCIENCE CLASSES

Explorit Science Center’s popular science classes begin next week. These hands-on classes are a great way to encourage active learning experiences during the holidays.

“Explorit’s teachers are working diligently, putting together fun, educational classes,” said Jeanine Robb, Explorit’s program director.

Class topics range from flight to food, from marine biology to outer space. There are even classes featuring our favorite carbonated beverage: soda pop.

Classes take place at Explorit from December 20 to December 30 and are for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Each class is an hour and a half and costs only $14 (or $11 for Explorit members).

Classes began filling quickly this year. Robb encourages people to register early because some classes are already full.
“This is a great opportunity to be involved in science that’s not your typical classroom subject,” stated Robb. For example, on December 21, kids in grades 1-5 can enroll in “Crafty Scientists.”

Explorit teacher Leslie Berry says students in “Crafty Scientists” will have several projects which may make great holiday gifts. “It’s always exciting to see the kids discover science while creating unique works of art,” said Berry.

On December 23, teacher John Gallagher will have a room full of cartographers in “Map it Out!” for kids in grades 1-5. These young scientists will have the chance to explore our world through the examination of all kinds of maps: road, physical, topographical, etc.

Next week kindergartners can enroll in “Habits & Habitats” (Dec. 20), a class focusing on the animal kingdom. Rumor has it that a unique visitor--a llama--will make an appearance during class. Also available for kindergartners next week is “Fizzy Fun” (Dec. 22) where students will explore the dynamic properties of soda pop.

For more information, or for a complete list of Winter Vacation Science Classes, call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.
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Three astronomical events will concur next week.
- Close to midnight on December 21 will be this year’s winter solstice. In astronomical terms, that means that our planet Earth will be at its closest point to the sun.
Traveling an elliptical orbit, Earth moves around the sun and is closest in the winter, furthest away in the summer.
- Experiencing a similar point on its elliptical path, our moon will be at its closest point to Earth. This is known as the perigee.
- This will mark a great opportunity to go out and see the moon because not only will it be closer than usual, but it will also be a full moon.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "Inventors and Inventions Through the Centuries.” Public hours are Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Regular admission is $3; members, teachers (with school ID) and children under 4 are free. For more information, visit Explorit’s web site at www.dcn.davis.ca.us/GO/EXPLORIT/ or call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.