By: Tom Wickersham

This weekend -- from 11:00 to 4:30 on Saturday and from 1:00 to 4:30 on Sunday -- marks your last chance to visit the popular exhibition, "The Way the Ball Bounces: The Science of Toys and Games," at Explorit Science Center.

Activities featured in "The Science of Toys and Games" include Explor-ick exploring (what is it? solid, liquid, or something else?), ball bouncing (how do different balls perform on diffent bounce surfaces?), and car rolling (how high can those roller coaster hills be?). If you've ever wondered what's really behind how that favorite toy works, here's your chance to experiment.

Exhibitions at Explorit typically run eight weeks, although the summer exhibition runs longer. So, now, after three months (the exhibition opened June 20), you must ask yourself, "Why haven't I been to Explorit yet?" Hurry in before the exhibition closes for good.

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Monday, October 5 through Friday, October 9 Explorit Science Center will be closed to visitors. Then, on Saturday the 10th, the doors swing wide open for all to visit "From Redbud to Redwood: Native Plant Science." You'll have the chance to explore California's native plants through both the eyes of modern science and the practices of Native Americans.

What happens between exhibitions? The five days from October 5th through the 9th are considered "change week" at Explorit. And wow do things change.

In the span of these five days (and many long nights), the old exhibition is taken down, walls are spackled and painted, and new exhibits and activity centers are set up. Sounds easy doesn't it?

Hardly. With a materials budget smaller than your average car payment, Explorit staff designs, builds, tests, (sometimes rebuilds and retests), and sets up an entire exhibition, much of which is done during change week. This constant changing of exhibitions is in part what makes Explorit Science Center unique.

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Hard work alone is not enough. Explorit's programs also require generous financial support, some of which comes from local businesses. Explorit Science Center would like to thank the businesses who have pledged their support for science education through the Business Alliance for Science program.

Joining or renewing so far in the 1998-99 year are Cable Car Wash; Cunningham Engineering; Drs. Joann & Mark Helmus; JEG Enterprises; McGee, Thielen & Purves Insurance Brokers, Inc.; Sutter West Medical Group/Sutter Davis Hospital; Tandem Properties; and Yolo Lodge #169 I.O.O.F. To learn more about Business Alliance for Science, call (530) 756-0191.

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In addition to financial support, Explorit Science Center relies on the dedication, commitment and generosity of its many volunteers. From assisting with exhibition building to envelope stuffing, volunteers help make it happen at Explorit.

Currently, Explorit needs volunteer teaching assistants to help with visiting elementary school groups. Teaching assistants work with Explorit's teachers to help guide students through fun-filled hands-on science lessons. Teaching assistants must commit to a regular schedule of two hours a week (weekdays only) between 8:45 am to 2:00 pm. If working with kids and science interests you, call Explorit for application information.

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is The Way the Ball Bounces: The Science of Toys and Games. 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.