By: Jennifer Haskell

Are you still looking for something fun to do during winter vacation? Grab a friend and sign-up for Explorit's vacation science classes. Starting Monday, December 21, 1998 children in Grades K-8 will enjoy exciting interactive science fun in a wide variety of classes. Classes are filling quickly, so register now to claim your space.

Among this winter's classes are: Animal Adventures, Magnificent Machines, Chemistry Matters, Science Art, Illusion Investigations, Reptile Relatives, Earth Treasures, and Weather Wonders.

Classes cost $11.00 each for members and $14.00 each for non-members. You can register by calling Explorit at 756-0191 or by stopping by to visit us.

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Don't miss the deadline for Explorit's 1998 Membership Drive and Science Adventure Drawing. To be eligible to win exciting prizes your entry must be in by noon on December 21, 1998.

In case you hadn't heard, this year's prizes include: the grand prize of a seven-night rental of a 29-ft Motor Home donated by Travel Time RV Center in Vacaville, a gift certificate to the Mustard Seed restaurant in Davis, a hardcover copy of Art & Physics by Leonard Shlain, a membership in the Sacramento Zoological Society, two tickets to see UC Davis Presents Beakman's World on January 24, 1999, an original pastry creation from Konditorei Austrian Pastry Cafe in Davis, admission for two children to one of Explorit's spring or winter vacation classes, a free haircut at David's Hair Cutting of Davis and a set of four astronomy-themed coffee mugs.

The drawing will be held on December 21, 1998 and you need not be present to win. The winners will be notified by phone.

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Saving your Nugget Market receipts helps Explorit. Until June 15, 1999 receipts from purchases made with cash or ATM cards can be brought to Explorit and Nugget Market will donate 1% of the receipt total to Explorit. Please remember to bring your receipts when you come to visit us and drop them into the specially marked box in the lobby or drop them in the mail to us. Explorit appreciates your support.

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Explorit's current exhibition What's the Matter? Solids, Liquids & Gases includes many fun activities for people of all ages. So exactly how many states (or forms) of matter are there? Three, right? Sounds good. That's what you remember from school: solids, liquids and gases. But wait a minute, what about plasma? That's right! Many scientists consider plasma the fourth state of matter.

Plasma is a mixture of free electrons and charged ions existing in a hot gas. For example, did you know that part of a comet's tail is plasma? Since plasma mostly exists in the atmosphere you don't get to see it everyday. So why not come check out Explorit's plasma ball while you can?

And while you're at Explorit explore all the other fun activities available to investigate matter. For example, a terrarium demonstrates a self-contained water cycle with plants that never need you to water them. Isn't that a neat idea? Because the terrarium is completely enclosed and is heated and cooled throughout each day, the liquid and gas states of water exist within the system. Check out Explorit's terrarium and then maybe you'll want to make one of your own at home.

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Explorit is open to the public regular hours throughout December except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is What's the Matter? Solids, Liquids & Gases. 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.