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JUNE EVENTS

- Fri 1 - TOT DISCOVERY DAY: SHAPES, 10 am-12 noon, children 5 and under. $$.

- Sat 2 - BIKE DAY, 12 noon-4 pm, a colorful variety of bike-related events. Planetarium Show,, 1 PM, $4. Exhibit Hall, $4. All Bike Day outside events, FREE.

- Sat 9 - CAMP FAIR AT GATEWAY MALL, Springfield 10:00 am-5:00 pm. FREE.

- Thurs 14 - SCIENCE PUB, 7:00-8:30 pm at LUNA, 30 E. Broadway, Eugene, FREE.

IN THE MUSEUM

Exhibit Hall:
Flex Your Power and Model Train Exhibit - Bike your way to produce electricity or put a train set in gear. Examine energy conservation, transformation. A large-scale model train display offers its own lesson about energy. Flex Your Power is sponsored by the Eugene Water and Electric Board.

Planetarium:
Saturdays and Sundays, 1 pm - Up in the Sky, $4
Saturdays and Sundays, 2 pm - Different Light, $4



THE NEWS SCOOP

TAKE A RIDE WITH BIKE DAY 2007
It's a Bike-a-palooza! Visit the Science Factory from 12 noon-4 p.m. for bike safety demonstrations, marimba music, free Ben and Jerry's ice cream (first 300 visitors), free bike service, a bike safety course, unicyclists, racing demos and other fun examples of human-powered transportation. Inside the museum, the planetarium will have cool sustainability speakers including Secretary of State Bill Bradbury. Many of the day's participants will be recognized by Mayor Kitty Piercy, including Eugene's Sustainable Business of the Month and the University of Oregon Climate Masters. Don't miss the bike parade at 1:45 (decorate your bike on premises), the rocket launch at 3, and two bike raffles to cap off the day! To learn more, visit http://www.sciencefactory.org

For those who want to make an entire day of it, start your day off prior to your visit at the Science Factory, with a trail ride at the Fern Ridge Bike Path through the scenic West Eugene Wetlands between Beltline and Greenhill Road. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., several local organizations will have booths set up along the path with information on wetland wildlife, restoration projects, and the future education center. At noon, a team from Paul's Bicycle Way of Life will lead the hardy cyclists over to Science Factory on a pre-determined route which will be posted on our website as well. These "extreme" bikers will be rewarded handily upon arrival at the museum with additional tickets for our raffle and small prizes. For more info on the wetland event, visit http://www.wewetlands.org.

Thank you to all 2007 Bike Day sponsors: City of Eugene, Commuter Solutions, Coyote Creek Environmental Services, Eugene Weekly, Northwest Community Credit Union, PacificSource Health Plans, Paul's Bicycle Way of Life, Timber Products Company, West Eugene Wetlands Partnership, Siuslaw Bank and the Associated Students of Lane Community College.


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PLAY WITH SHAPES AT TOT DISCOVERY DAY
Tots and their escorts will cookie-cut a shape and decorate it to take home this Friday, June 1, 10 a.m.-12 Noon. Dissect different shapes to make new ones, explore 3-D with geometry at the water table and more! Admission for Tot Discovery Day is $10 for each child and parent combo, $2 for each additional child, and free for all Science Factory members.

While you are both here with your little one, take a look at our wonderful new Tot Summer Camp sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The new summer camps will take place twice a week with special science-based activities, snacks and instructor-led activities. Parents attending the Tot Discovery Day will have the chance to learn about the new summer program and register for summer camp sessions.

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SUMMER CAMPS - REGISTER TODAY!
New Tot Camps, a new aftercare program, some wonderful new instructional materials and even a brand new classroom await Science Factory summer campers for 2007! We know it's going to be another fun year with great new camps and some sure-fire winners, so please register early before our spaces fill up!

Among our choice offerings are: Splishin' 'n' Splashin', Cool Colors, Dino-Mites, Computer Kids, More Power to Ya, and Let's Experiment! Please plan on attending our Summer Camp Fair on June 9 from 10 am - 4 pm. at Gateway Mall. We'll be showing off a few of our exciting new activities, along with many other camp providers, including the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire and more! Registration forms available on site.

For more information and a full schedule of all of our summer camps, see our printed schedule or our website at http://www.sciencefactory.org/.

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THIRSTY FOR KNOWLEDGE?
Science Factory is collaborating with OMSI and University of Oregon to help sponsor a new Science Pub monthly event at Luna, a local watering hole/restaurant in downtown Eugene. Find out about advances in science and technology from leading researchers and scientists, all while enjoying food and beverages. Don't expect a remote speaker behind a distant podium. Instead, experience an informal atmosphere where you can interact with our designated expert and where there are no silly questions. No scientific background is required: just bring your curiosity, sense of humor, and appetite for food, drinks, and knowledge!

Our inaugural event kicks off on June 14 at 7:00 pm with Dr. Jim Hutchison, U-O Professor of Chemistry. Speaking on "Nanotechnology: New Science for Society and the Environment," Dr. Hutchison will examine how nanotechnology can benefit society and how scientists are dealing with potential and real risks. The incredibly exciting and promising new nanotechnology field, arising from the design and manipulation of matter at the molecular and atomic level, certainly poses new challenges and opportunities.

For more info about Jim, visit http://www.uoregon.edu/~chem/hutchison.html.

For a list and description of upcoming Science Pubs, please visit:
http://www.omsi.edu/sciencepub

The Science Pub is brought to you by OMSI http://www.omsi.edu/, University of Oregon http://www.uoregon.edu/, and Science Factory http://www.sciencefactory.org/.

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ENERGY AND TRAIN EXHIBITS NOW OPEN
Kids can get energized about energy at the Flex Your Power exhibit that opened on May 17. This show looks at energy using an array of informative and interactive displays.

The central feature of the Electrical Energy exhibit is the energy conservation kiosk that was generously purchased for the Science Factory by the Eugene Water and Electric Board. The exhibit's features emphasize the dual benefits of energy conservation to preserve limited natural resources and as a way to save money.

In addition, our own in-house volunteer exhibit builder Wendell Gray created a Bike-a-Motion exhibit, which pushes pedal power to its limit. Ride a bike and start a model train on its journey around the track. Tons of fun and sure to put a smile on any kid's face.

In conjunction with the energy exhibit, a large-scale model train display offers its own lesson about energy. The train exhibit features multiple trains taking turns powering over a bridge and through a town. The two large-scale trains are roughly twice the size of the Lionel trains that many people have seen. There are operating semaphore signals, and the large-size trains allow onboard sound systems and other operating details not usually found on smaller scale models. The display will evolve over time as scenic elements to the set-up are added by members of the Emerald Empire Garden Railway Society, who we would like to thank for this display.


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PLANETARIUM SHOWS AVAILABLE DURING SUMMER WEEKS NOW, TOO!
This summer you might decide to attend a planetarium show after picking up your child at camp or just because you want to! From June 27-August 19, we'll be offering public shows Wednesday - Friday, in addition to our weekend shows at 1 pm and 2 pm. The 1 pm show, Up in the Sky, will show you how to find the visible planets, bright stars and major constellations that you can see in the sky at night. The 2 pm show will change each month. The current 2 pm show is Different Light, an exploration of what we have learned by looking at our universe in types of light such as infrared and ultraviolet that our eyes cannot see. Starting on July 7 and running through the end of July is Ice and Iron, a look at comets and asteroids and the danger they pose for Earth. In August, the Galaxies program will explore the wonders of galaxies and find out what they are, what types of galaxies exist, and even what happens when galaxies collide. Get starry eyed and enjoy a summer planetarium show mid-week!

Please note that the Planetarium will be closed for its annual maintenance, June 18 - 22.


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GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW -- 2007 SEASON PARKING SPOTS CAN BE YOURS
Be prepared, and get a jump on the crowd. Our season football parking pass is the best spot in town with the closest access to Autzen Stadium. Plus, your funds help generate funds for all Science Factory programs. Full information about the parking program is available on our website at www.sciencefactory.org. Spread the word with your friends, neighbors and colleagues to ensure that Science Factory programs can continue. Register today and, of course, GO DUCKS!


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THANK YOU TO DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS
The generous donations of time and funding to the Science Factory from our supporters enable the museum to do everything that we do, and we are very thankful for that support. This month we would like to thank the following supporters:

McKenzie Commercial generously sponsored Construction Day.

Kiwanis members and volunteers from Umpqua Bank helped pack up and move out the Bone Up on Bones exhibit that finished its run in the Exhibit Hall in May.

Thompson Landscape continues to provide grass cutting service to the museum.

Nearby Nature's staff pooled their charitable dollars and provided funds to the museum.

Don Lown built the museum a new roaming cart that can be used for hands-on exhibit activities.

Elks Lodge #357 donated funds for scholarships for camps and classes.

The Lutz Family donated a Brio train set to be used in connection with the train exhibit in our Tot Room.

Thank you all for your generosity and care for the Science Factory.

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NEW STAFF: KIM MILLER
Our newest staff member is Kim Miller, who will be assisting with Visitor Services and Administration. Kim moved to Eugene to attend graduate school at the University of Oregon and earned her Master's degree in Environmental Studies. She has worked and volunteered for various environmental groups in the Eugene area and enjoys spending time outdoors. Welcome, Kim, and we're mighty glad to have your talents and knowledge here at the Science Factory!


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WISH LIST OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
There are some common and not so common items that we could put to good use to improve our activities and facility. Here are some of them:

--vacuum cleaner
--adjustable office chairs
--conference table and chairs
--commercial garbage can for outdoor use
--pavilion tent
--locking walk-in storage unit
--anti-virus computer software

If you have any of these items and would like to donate them to the museum, please contact Joyce Berman at 682-7887.


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VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
LeeAnn Hansen has been assisting instructors in our Magic School Bus classes, special events and providing story reading and an extra pair of hands for all. She has also worked very hard to ensure that every activity ends up with no mess left behind. Thanks, LeeAnn, for making a difference!

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BINGO, ANYONE?
Longtime supporters of the Science Factory and stalwart parking lot volunteers, the Elks are dear to our hearts. We've recently discovered that their club has a great weekly Bingo game every Tuesday at 6:30 PM, 2470 W. 11th Avenue. Come early and eat in their lovely restaurant, then pick up your Bingo card and have at it. Free popcorn offered the night we attended, and lots of fun in a non-smoking, friendly atmosphere.

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IT'S BERRY TIME AGAIN!
Those luscious red, ripe strawberries are almost ready, and the Emerald Empire Kiwanis, also committed supporters of the Science Factory, are here to serve all of your berry needs. Order forms for the 15th Annual Berry Sale are available in our lobby, or contact the Kiwanis. Planned delivery date: June 14.


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SCIENCE WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
http://www.exploringtime.org/

According to our educator, Jenn Shelton, this groovy new educational site offers time-lapse and high-speed video clips, 3D scientific animations, and other visually stunning features that reveal how events unfold on different time scales.


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COMING IN JULY

- Mon 2 - OUR SUMMER CAMPS FOR 2007 BEGIN!

- Sat 7 - ICE AND IRON show opens at the Planetarium, shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm.

- Thurs 12 - SCIENCE PUB, "Will the iPod Generation Be Deaf" 7:00-8:30 pm, Luna, features Dr. Billy Martin, Professor of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, OHSU. Although not intended for children, minors can attend.