Article by Suzette Smiley

What do you see when you look at an old, old oak tree? A source of shade on a hot afternoon. A home for squirrels, woodpeckers, and other animals. A complex and amazing living organism. Trees and plants are many things to many people.

Old oak trees and other native plants that grow here are an integral part of the human history of this region. For thousands of years, native plants have been providing the basis of life for people of this area. With traditional, respectful techniques that have been passed through generations, native residents of this region have developed, and continue to practice, ways of using plants to provide necessities, amenities, and spiritual connections.

A new exhibition, "Native Plants and Native People," opening this Saturday, September 30, will explore some of the rich connections between native plans and their traditional uses by people in this region. Visitors to the exhibition will have an opportunity to identify plants using the senses of sight, touch and smell, and to get to know living native plants in a small outdoor garden. Other exhibits will include materials for testing the properties of some common native plants such as tule and willows and for experimenting with plant processing techniques that are based on traditional practices.

The "Native Plants and Native People" exhibition will run from September 30 to November 26.

Explorit is located at 3141 Fifth Street in East Davis. Public hours are Saturday from ll am to 4:30 pm, Sunday l-4:30 pm, and Tuesday through Friday from 2-4:30 pm.

Admission is $3. Explorit members, teachers, and children under 4 are always admitted free.

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Get ready, folks. Explorit is about to host its fourth annual Corporate Science Challenge. With over 30 teams participating this year at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento, the competition night of Thursday, October 19 is sure to be memorable. Participants can look forward to no-host cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, and, the main event of the evening - the competition.

Corporate teams will square off against one another to play a lively, fast-paced quiz game with science questions ranging in difficulty from elementary level to the "school of hard knocks." The Challenge is designed to encourage science literacy and promote team fun as well. All proceeds will benefit the Explorit Science Center. It's not too late to join the fun. You can reserve your table by calling Explorit at 756-0191. RSVP by October 12. ----------

It's the end of summer and perhaps you are looking for a new home for that old picnic table of yours. If you are, Explorit will gladly accept any donations. The tables will be well used at their new home under the trees at Explorit for classes, experiments, crafts, and, naturally, picnics by visitors and staff. If you would like to donate a table, please contact Explorit at 756-0191.

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A special thanks to PG&E for their recent contribution to Explorit. PG&E is one of the many local businesses that have generously supported Explorit this year. We greatly appreciate these corporate gifts and use them to help sustain our many educational services.

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The new theme of Science Magic has been added to the regular birthday party themes of reptiles, bubbles, and dinosaurs. Designed for children ages 3-10, Explorit offers a unique and entertaining site for a birthday party. Party guests can engage in hands-on and minds-on explorations in the fun, festive themes and can even explore the current exhibition. Call for details.