By: Tom Wickersham

IT'S A FREE-FOR-ALL DAY AT EXPLORIT

There are always plenty of free opportunities for science enrichment provided by Explorit Science Center. That's right, FREE!

Since its beginning, Explorit has always operated under the principle that science learning should be accessible to all folks including those facing financial challenges. Tomorrow's free admission Saturday is just one of many examples.

Every fourth Saturday of the month, Explorit waives the admission charge and opens its doors to all. "Explorit is not the only science center or museum to have a free day, but we're one of only a few that has free days on Saturdays," notes Suzanne Ullensvang, Explorit's Executive Director.

But that's not all. In addition to free admission Saturdays, Explorit offers a host of free (or nearly free) science learning opportunities. Don't miss the monthly Astronomy Club meetings. Experts and amateurs, young and old all gather to watch, discuss and decipher the heavens above.

In September, the eighth season of Explorit's Cutting Edge of Science Lecture Series begins. These popular monthly lectures on topics as diverse as gorilla conservation to alternative fuel vehicles to the big bang bring cutting edge science to general audiences for free.

New this year, thanks to the hard work of longtime supporter and Trustee, Ethel Sassenrath, Explorit has been able to provide free science learning opportunities to individuals and school groups with the Sassenrath Fee Assistance and Scholarship Fund. Through this fund, Explorit was able to offer parents or guardians experiencing financial need the chance to enroll children in the popular Summer Science Classes.

Yet free science learning opportunities at Explorit don't end there. There's the Meet the Scientist program at Explorit where, many times a year, visitors have the chance to visit with area scientists and science groups to explore and investigate unique aspects of the world around us in an up-close and personal setting.

In addition to on-site free programs, Explorit takes hands-on science into the community at a number of free public events each year. Over the past couple years there have been Explorit booths at Picnic Day on the UC Davis campus, at the County Fair Mall in Woodland, at the Davis Farmer's Market, and at other parks and community centers throughout the region. You may never know where Explorit will pop up.

Explorit believes in the importance of open-ended, hands-on science experiences and stands firmly behind this belief by providing plenty of these opportunities for free. If you support this belief and wish to assist Explorit in their pursuit to provide plenty of free learning opportunities, contact Explorit and ask how you can become a supporter.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is "How Does My Garden Grow?" 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. /i>