By: Laura Bassein

VENTURE CLUB FUNDS GIRLS IN SCIENCE

Girls and science -- what a great combination!! And there's a lot of that combination happening at Explorit during the month of May.

Explorit Science Center and the Tierra del Oro Girl Scout Council partner each year to provide several exciting science programs for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts. Every year the science emphasis changes; this year girls enjoy "The Real Toy Story: The Science of Fun." From yo-yos and tops, to kites and bubbles, girls learn the science behind their favorite toys while having loads of fun.

To extend the girls and science combination another step, Explorit trains Cadette Girl Scouts (junior high girls) to facilitate fun educational science learning experiences for younger girls. The Cadettes then return to Explorit to participate as program aides for the Brownie and Junior Girl Scout programs.

Joining Explorit this year is an additional partner, the Venture Club of Davis. The Venture Club provides both financial support and women volunteers to act as mentors for the young scientists participating in the Girl Scout programs. The Venture Club of Davis makes the continued success of Explorit's Girl Scout programs possible. Thank you, Venture Club!

Thanks also to the many other volunteers who make Explorit's Girl Scout programs possible.

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Does the title "Human Ancestors" grab your attention? If so, you'll want to attend the FREE Cutting Edge of Science Lecture on May 18 at 7:30pm at the Davis Senior Center. Join Dr. Henry McHenry, UC Davis Anthropology professor, for a fascinating exploration of the latest scientific discoveries and the incredible history associated with human evolution. Don't miss this last program in Explorit's 1998-99 Lecture Series. Enjoy this unique opportunity to learn about cutting edge science.

Explorit thanks Novo Nordisk Biotech, Inc. for its financial support of the 1998-99 Cutting Edge of Science Lecture Series. Their generous contribution has allowed this lecture series to remain free and open to the general public. Additionally, thanks go to the Davis Senior Center which has continued to provide space to house the lectures each month.

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Parents move at the speed of light! It must be "true" even though it's scientifically impossible. The "proof" is in how fast kids have registered for Summer Science Classes. If you are interested in signing your children up for Summer Science Classes, act now. Just under 25 spaces remain in all the classes combined. Never before have classes filled so quickly.

New this year, Explorit offers scholarships for Summer Science Classes to those experiencing extreme financial hardship. For more information on these scholarships, please call (530)756-0191.

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For the diehard science fanatics who read every word of this weekly column, here's a taste of what else is happening at Explorit during May. On May 8 and 9 the Yolo Amateur Radio Society will hold Amateur Radio Classes at Explorit. For more information on radio classes only call (530) 756-6375 or (530) 756-4462.

On May 15, join Jean and Chaz Franklin for incredible investigations of insects between 2pm and 4pm at a Meet the Scientist program at Explorit. To complete your Arthropod adventure, visit Explorit's current exhibition "A Fly on the Wall and Other Amazing Arthropods" where the bigger world of Arthropods (not just insects) can be explored.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is A Fly on the Wall and Other Amazing Arthropods. 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.