EXPLORIT SCIENCE CENTER - What's Happening?

MAY

Through June 9, "Go With the Flow:"in the Gumerlock Gallery
“Go With the Flow – from Delta to Sea” Explore the physics of floating and sinking, the biology of aquatic life forms, and the geology of streams and oceans. Discover the fascinating features of our nearby waterways and how the choices we make can affect us locally and globally.”

"Move It! Science in Action:" Long-Term Exhibition in the Jonsson Gallery:
What affects an object's spin? How do still images in a movie combine to create the illusion of motion? Race two types of cycles, test shapes in a wind tunnel, experiment with sound waves and watch objects fall. In this dynamic exhibition, you'll discover that motion is everywhere!

Thursday, May 1: Open registration begins for our Summer Science Camps. Available slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday, May 10: "Tidepools coming to Explorit - touch a starfish!"
Join us as the UC Davis Marine Ecology Department brings some of its invertebrate animals in touch tanks for Explorit visitors to observe and touch. This Family Exploration runs from 1-4 p.m. at Explorit's main site. Free with paid admission to the museum.

Explorit Science Center will resemble the California coastline on Saturday, May 10, when UC Davis students bring touch-tanks full of invertebrate animals to learn about and touch. "Hands-on Invertebrates," a Family Exploration program, will run from 1-4 p.m. at ExploritÕs main site, 2801 Second St. Drop in anytime during those hours. The program is free with paid admission to the center ($4 general, free for ages 3 and under). What kind of animals might you see and touch? HereÕs a list: sea anemones, strawberry anemones, crabs, mussels, clams, sand dollars, sea stars (popularly called starfish), sea cucumbers, and various types of snails, limpets and chitons. (A chiton, by the way, is a type of mollusk that can resemble a rock in its native habitat.) Pat Randolph, Thien Mai and Pano Santos of the UCD Department of Evolution and Ecology will present the program.

Saturday, May 17: " Watery Weather"
If hurricanes and weather phenomena interest you, youÕll want to attend a May 17 Family Exploration called "Watery Weather."
Representatives of the National Weather Service will bring several activities related to weather and water. TheyÕre designed to complement Explorit's current Changing Exhibition, "Go With the Flow: From Delta to Sea."
The drop-in program will run from 1-4 p.m. at Explorit's main site, 2801 Second St., Davis. ItÕs free with paid admission to the museum ($4 general, free for ages 3 and under.) One of the meteorologists, a hurricane expert, will share his knowledge and present a slide show. Another activity will be a demonstration of orographic precipitation, which has to do with the way precipitation interacts with mountains. It's the reason that oceanic islands, such as the Hawaiian Islands, receive most of their rainfall on the windward side, while the leeward side tends to be very dry.

Saturday, May 17 Club Meeting: Topic: Summer Night Sky
Davis Astronomy Club at Explorit
All are invited to a May 17 meeting of the Davis Astronomy Club at Explorit. You neednÕt be a member or pay any dues. Ð if you are interested in the astronomy, you are welcome to attend.

On the agenda: a presentation of what you can see in the night sky this summer. Club members will explain how to recognize the summer constellations in the night sky, and how to use this knowledge to enhance your summer viewing pleasure.

Stargazing will follow the indoor program, weather permitting. First up for viewing, Saturn and its wildest moon Titan which will be three or four ring-lengths to Saturn's west at the time of the meeting.

The free meeting, suitable for all ages, will begin at 7 p.m. at ExploritÕs Mace Park Branch, 3141 Fifth St., Davis, 95618.

Sunday, May 25: Free Admission Sunday

Wednesday, May 28: Explorit will hold a training session for individuals ages 12 or older who want to volunteer at our Summer Science Camps. Registration is required; email Volunteer Coordinator Kristin Sizemore, kristin@explorit.org. The two-hour training starts at 4:30 p.m. at Explorit's Mace Park Branch, 3141 Fifth St.

Explorit is now accepting volunteer applications for these Summer Science Camp teaching assistants along with a letter of recommendation.
Teaching assistants aid ExploritÕs educators as they work directly with children to develop an understanding and appreciation of science through hands-on activities. Weeklong camps run June 16-Aug. 22.
We need individuals who can commit to volunteering at least 20 hours a week for at least two weeks (not necessarily in a row). Shifts available are Mondays-Fridays from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. or 1:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Attendance at a volunteer training session is asked of first-time volunteers. Sessions will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. May 28 and again June 4. You only need to attend one session. Please sign up to be a camp assistant or register for a training session by contacting Kristin Sizemore, ExploritÕs volunteer coordinator, at (530) 756-0191 or kristin@explorit.org. She can also answer any questions you may have about the job.