By: Tom Wickersham

MEET THE SCIENTIST AT EXPLORIT

While you're planning your weekend adventures, perhaps you might want to know about a special program on Saturday, December 5. Bring the whole family to Explorit Science Center anytime between 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. to "Meet the Scientist."

You'll have the chance to explore interactive exhibits designed and built by UC Davis graduate and undergraduate students in the Science Education/Outreach Training course. This "Environmental Explorations" program will feature topics ranging from fish to foodwebs, plants to pesticides and habitats to our human body. Regular Explorit admission covers this special event.

Already have plans on Saturday? Then you might want to visit Explorit on Sunday before the current exhibition ends. It will be your last chance to explore some of the characteristics, types and uses of native California plants in From Redbud to Redwood: Native Plant Science .

Why not take advantage of the tree recycling station and make your own paper? If you wish, you can strengthen your observation skills by taking the leaf scavenger hunt. Can you identify which plants Native Californians would have used as a remedy for toothaches? Insomnia? Bronchitis?

Remember, Native Plant Science ends its run this Sunday, December 6. Explorit will be closed the week of December 7 and will reopen on Saturday, December 12 with What's the Matter? Solids, Liquids and Gases.

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Explorit Science Center announces the schedule for their 1998 Winter Vacation Science Classes. In addition to the classes typically offered for children in grades K through 5, Explorit is also offering some classes for children in grades 6, 7 and 8.

But space is limited so enroll soon.

Children in kindergarten can enroll in "Science Magic" (Dec. 22) to explore magnets, static, color and other magical aspects of our world, and "Animal Adventures" (Dec. 29) to discover all types of animals big and small.

Classes for children in grades 1-5 include "Magnificent Machines" (Dec. 21) with lever, pulley and gear testing, "Chemistry Matters" (Dec. 22) with investigations of solids, liquids and gases, and "Science Art" (Dec. 23) where students explore the art of science and the science of art.

Also for grades 1-5, students will study snakes, turtles and dinosaurs in "Reptile Relatives" (Dec. 28), explore crystals and other wonders in the rock world in "Earth Treasures" (Dec. 29), focus on optical illusions in "Illusion Investigation" (Dec. 30), and explore clouds, snowflakes and rainbows in "Weather Wonders" (Dec. 31).

Children in grades 5-8 in can develop secret codes and other "secret" methods of communication in "Secret Science" (Dec. 22). Also offered for these students is "Weather Watch" (Dec. 29) where they can investigate tornadoes and other forces of nature.

Classes last an hour and a half and are $14 per student per class for non-members and $11 per student per class for members. Call Explorit at (530) 756-0191 for more information or to register.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is From Redbud to Redwood: Native Plant Science. 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.