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Explorit Science Center opens the door to discovery for visitors. You may have visited on the weekend or on weekday afternoons, but do you know how schools and special groups use Explorit? Explorit's on-site changing exhibition program is for both the general public and for visiting school groups.
On weekday mornings from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., schools and other special groups visit Explorit for Discovery Lessons. Essentially, Discovery Lessons are focused, 75-minute investigations of the current exhibition.
Groups who reserve Discovery Lessons are greeted by a highly qualified and enthusiastic Explorit teacher who treats them to a stimulating introduction to the current topic. For "More Than Eye Can See," the current exhibition which explores microscopes and magnification, Explorit's education specialist Heather guides students through a closer look at how microscopes work and why we use them. This is especially helpful for very young children.
As you may know from your visits during general public hours, exhibitions are set up for self-led explorations in hands-on science. Children become investigators--Explorit merely provides the tools. They move from station to station where they discover, for themselves, where science is and how it works in our daily lives.
Before or after a Discovery Lesson, teachers may use Explorit's specially designed Teacher's Enrichment Resource Packet (TERP) to bridge and extend the learning experience in the classroom. During a Discovery Lesson students may also use a passport or lab notebook designed by Explorit to guide their visit.
Each Discovery Lesson topic is developed with an average of 200 hours of research, fabrication and writing by staff who collectively have expertise in zoology, biology, geology, mathematics, chemistry and microbiology. This great collaboration produces exceptional learning experiences that support the California Science Framework.
Of course, science is not all work and no play. Science can be fun! Explorit shows visitors how with its "please do touch" setting.
The Discovery Lesson program is not just for public schools. Private schools, home schools, daycare centers, recreation groups and other groups of up to 35 students use Explorit's Discovery Lessons for education and entertainment.
An added bonus for this program is its price. Groups are charged just $3 per student, the same price the general public pays in afternoons, for this specialized exhibition exploration. This also means that Explorit relies on donations from individuals and corporations to completely cover the costs involved in presenting this program to classes and to you.
Explorit is taking reservations for the 1996-97 school year. Discovery Lessons are offered Monday-Friday at 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and other times for special situations. For reservations or information about this or other Explorit programs call Explorit at 756-0191 or visit the web site at http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/GO/EXPLORIT/.
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Everyone is invited to visit Explorit this weekend for the last two days of "More Than Eye Can See."
On Saturday, July 27, adults and children in 4th grade and up are invited to join Explorit for a special Paleontology Workshop. David Lawler, a paleontologist and the executive director of FarWest Geoscience Foundation, will present talks and hands-on investigations in fossil excavation and identification of real fossilized bone segments.
This free program has two workshops. Introductory talks will be given at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Each introduction will be followed by a 20-30 minute hands-on fossil sorting session. Session size is limited.
FarWest Geoscience Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to scientific research and public education in the geosciences. Explorit is pleased to have this opportunity to collaborate and offer the services of this foundation to Explorit visitors.
This Saturday is a free admission day. "More Than Eye Can See" ends July 28. Explorit will be closed July 29 through August 2. On Saturday, August 3, a new exhibition, "Summer Science Sampler," will open.
Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. Public hours are Saturday 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday 2-4:30 p.m. 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/.
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The Usborne book fair, hosted by Explorit, was a success! During the week of July 15-19, visitors showed their support for science education by purchasing Usborne educational children's books. 25% of purchases was donated to Explorit to benefit its science education programs. An additional 5% of proceeds will be donated in the form of free books for Explorit's resource library.
Explorit thanks Carin Pilon, who was on hand to chat with Explorit visitors about Usborne Books products, and also thanks Usborne Books for their donation.