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The microscopic world is yours to explore during Explorit's current exhibition "More Than Eye Can See," which runs June 22 through July 28. Use microscopes and other special lenses to aid your investigations.
Come discover what tiny organisms live in local Putah Creek. Explorit has a fresh supply of pond water filled with life for you to investigate with a dissecting or compound microscope.
Each day, Jennifer the staff Exhibit Assistant monitors the water and posts "Today's Catch." Jennifer is an aquatic biologist who spent years observing and researching rotifers, tiny animals that you may see in the Putah Creek pond water.
Currently, Daphnia spp., or water fleas, are prolific. Daphnia are exciting to watch jet around the microscope's field of view.
Your sightings are important to Explorit. Log your discoveries on the chart so that organism populations can be tracked over the month of July.
Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. Explorit is open Saturday 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday 1-4:30 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday 2:00-4:30 p.m. Admission is $3. Members, teachers and children under 4 are free. For more information call 756-0191.
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Summer vacation classes are underway and students are getting settled in. This summer's classes are popular and many filled quickly. All first- through third-grade classes are full, but there is still room in a few fourth- through sixth-grade and preschool level classes.
On August 6, preschoolers will discover "What's Special About Sand" and on August 8 will delve into a "Backyard Safari for Shapes and Colors." Fourth- through sixth-graders will investigate "Crystals: Snow, Sugar, Salt and Quartz" on July 22 and "Metals, Plastics and Products of Chemistry" on July 26. To reserve classes over the phone, use your Visa or Mastercard and call 756-0191.
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This summer, Explorit will have the support of many eager and dedicated volunteers. For two weeks, Neal and Sid have been lending Explorit teachers a much needed hand with summer vacation classes. Visit during weekday afternoon public hours to meet Samantha, who will assist Explorit staff and visitors with the exhibition. Thanks to these volunteers for their help.
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Warm summer months are the perfect time for a PARTY! Explorit can provide an exciting birthday for your three to ten year old child. Themes include Bubbles, Reptiles, Dinosaurs and Animals. New to Explorit birthday parties are the Science Magic and Rocks themes. Two newly hired teachers also bring a fresh slant to your special day.
All parties offer hands-on and minds-on science. For one hour, kids can explore the chosen theme with fun activities lead by one of Explorit's teachers. Afterwards, the Explorit resource room and outdoor patio are yours for celebration activities.
Birthday parties are generally available Saturdays 10:00 a.m.-12 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m., Sundays 12:00-2:00 p.m., and weekdays 4:30-6:30 p.m. Call Explorit at 756-0191 for more information.
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The 1996-1997 schedule of exhibition topics is prepared! Check out the late summer and fall topics: "Summer Science Sampler", "Tools to Live By: Patwin Hunting & Gathering" and "Bigger Than a Breadbox: Estimation and Measurement." Each lasts approximately seven weeks.
Get a taste for science with the "Summer Science Sampler," open from August 3-September 29. This exhibition will be an exciting sampling of favorite activities and experiments that span the spectrum of science. Activities will come from Explorit's premier outreach program, "Science In Your World."
Usually, "Science In Your World" is provided for families at school science nights. The "Summer Science Sampler" exhibition brings the fun on site for you.
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This summer, Explorit has initiated a special fund drive with the slogan, "Buy August." For this campaign, businesses are asked to match the donations of others. When schools are closed, Explorit program reservations are reduced in number, resulting in a significant decrease in cash flow. The support of local businesses and individuals is vital during this period.