Inside this Section:
	» September 2007 » August 2007 » July 2007 » June 2007 » May 2007 » April 2007

Greetings, Science Factory Supporters!
There’s an abundance of energy at the Science Factory this month! We’re excited about our remodeled classroom, the Exploration Station, that had its ribbon-cutting party on April 26. Come and see the new room if you haven’t already. On May 17, the Flex Your Power energy exhibit and model train exhibit open in the Exhibit Hall. With hands-on activity stations including a new Van de Graaf generator that makes people’s hair stand on end, kids will get a charge out of this exhibit! With the energy exhibit will be a large-scale model train exhibit that will appeal to people of all ages. There’s also the new Different Light show at the Planetarium, and our first ever Kids’ Construction Day on May 19. Catch the energy at the Science Factory in May!

MAY EVENTS

- Fri 4 – TOT DISCOVERY DAY: BUBBLES, a casual drop-in program for hands-on learning for ages 5 and under, and BARNES AND NOBLE BOOK SALE, 10 am-12 noon. Discovery Day is $10 for parent/child, $2 for each additional child, free for members.

- Wed 9 – Magic School Bus (Series 5): Honey bees, first of three-part series, fun and learning for grades K-2, 2:30-4:30 pm, $12 members/$15 non-members per class or $30 members/$40 non-members per series.

- Thur 10 – Last Day for BONE UP ON BONES displays in the Exhibit Hall, 12 noon-4 pm

- Wed 16 – Magic School Bus (Series 5): CONSTRUCTION, second of three-part series, fun and learning for grades K-2, 2:30-4:30 pm, $12 members/$15 non-members per class or $30 members/$40 non-members per series.

- Thur 17 – Flex Your Power Exhibit on Electrical Energy opens in the Exhibit Hall, 12 noon-4 pm, along with the MODEL TRAIN EXHIBIT.

- Sat 19 – KIDS’ CONSTRUCTION DAY, 12 noon-4 pm, in cooperation with local area professionals in construction and engineering, we’re presenting a fun-filled day of activities, contests and lots of construction. Our mission is to explore the applied science behind planning and constructing buildings and bridges. Activities are included with regular admission.

- Wed 23 – Magic School Bus (Series 5):TEMPERATE RAIN FORESTS, third of three-part series, fun and learning for grades K-2, 2:30-4:30 pm, $12 members/$15 non-members per class or $30 members/$40 non-members per series.

IN THE MUSEUM 

Exhibit Hall:

Bone Up on Bones continues through May 10 –Visit our current exhibit, Bone Up on Bones, to find out what our bones do, why they’re important, and how to keep them healthy and strong. The Exhibit Hall will then be closed from May 11-16 to change exhibits.

Flex Your Power and Model Train Exhibit open on May 17 – Feel the cosmic and comic energy as the Van de Graaf generator makes your hair stand on end. Activity stations will involve electrical energy, solar and other alternative sources of energy, mechanical energy, magnetic energy, energy transformations, and energy conversions. A large-scale model train display will offer its own lesson about energy. Flex Your Power exhibit sponsored by the Eugene Water and Electric Board. 

Planetarium:

Saturdays and Sundays, 1 pm – Up in the Sky

Saturdays and Sundays, 2 pm – Different Light

THE NEWS SCOOP

BOOKS AND BUBBLES AT TOT DISCOVERY DAY
Children and their parents can blow bubbles, create bubble art and buy bubble books and more at Tot Discovery Day this Friday, May 4, from 10 am to noon. The event is being co-sponsored by Barnes and Noble Booksellers, who are donating a portion of the book sale proceeds to the museum.

This Friday’s bubble theme will allow visitors to investigate and learn about bubbles, build and test a wacky bubble wand, blow square bubbles and work with fantastic foam. In addition to bubble books, the Barnes and Noble book fair will include science books, science kits, reference books and summer reading.

Admission for Tot Bubble Day is $10 for each child and parent combo, $2 for each additional child, and free for all Science Factory members. Geared for children ages 5 and under, the Tot Discovery Day series allows parents and their children to take part in specially created hands-on activities created around a central theme.

In addition, the Science Factory is launching a new Tot Summer Camp series this year geared toward the same age group. 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 review the new summer program and register for summer camp sessions.

ENERGY EXHIBITS OPEN ON MAY 17
Kids can get energized about energy at a new exhibit called Flex Your Power. This electrifying new exhibit opens on May 17. This show will look at energy using an array of informative and interactive displays. The exhibit even has one display that will make hair stand on end: kids can see static electricity in action with a new Van de Graaf generator.

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.

The energy exhibit will also have:

--Activity stations that involve topics including electrical energy, solar and other alternative sources of energy, mechanical energy, magnetic energy, energy transformations, and energy conversions

--Among the activities will be circuit-building, exploration in microcircuitry using the Science Factory’s new digital microscope, electromagnet construction and more

In conjunction with the energy exhibit, a large-scale model train display will offer its own lesson about energy. The train exhibit will feature two 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 will be operating semaphore signals, and the large-size trains allow onboard sound systems, smoke 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.

KIDS’ CONSTRUCTION DAY
Build it, hammer it, and wheelbarrow it on Saturday, May 19 from 12 noon-4 pm at a fun-filled day of activities, contests and lots of construction. In cooperation with local area professionals in construction and engineering, kids can explore the applied science behind planning and constructing buildings and bridges.

Here are just some of the activities planned for Construction Day:

Tool Time—Learn about the tools used to build houses and bridges, clear away earth and rubble, lay foundations, and make roads.

Hard Hat I.D.—Identify tools while blindfolded to win prizes! 

Traffic Cone Zone—Try your hand at steering a wheelbarrow through an obstacle course of construction projects.

I Think I Can-struction—Bring canned food items and try to build the tallest monument ever built out of cans! After the big construction event, we’ll be contributing to a great cause by donating the cans to Food for Lane County.

Children and adults of all ages can learn about tools and excavation vehicles, and activities are included with regular admission. Many thanks to McKenzie Commercial General Contractors for their generous sponsorship of this event.

ALL ABOARD the Exploration Station
It’s official: Exploration Station is now available for camps, classes, special events and birthday parties. About 265 people attended the launch party last week – if you weren’t here, we missed you!  Visitors roamed the new classroom space, made paper butterflies, released our real butterflies, discovered the new digital microscope, and saw static electricity in action with the museum’s new Van de Graaf generator. Celtic music from Tonn Nua lifted the party and a spectacular spread of food and refreshments was generously provided by Secret Garden Bed and Breakfast and Hometown Buffet. Speakers included Kari Westlund of CVALCO, U.S District Court Judge Ann Aiken, Harry Thornton of Eastside School, Lesley Carrell from SELCO, and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, who joined with many children at the event to cut the ribbon and formally open the new room. Thanks also to Datalogic for providing a sound system, Doug Wilson for a last minute microphone stand, and the Chamber of Commerce for toting those big scissors and having their roaming ambassadors greet the crowd. For all the folks who came, we hope you had as much fun as we did.

The party was only the beginning of the many exciting activities to come in the remodeled classroom.  We look forward to initiating it with our Tot Discovery Day this Friday, our Kids’ Construction Day, and we hope that you’ll book a birthday party here soon. Exploration Station is now a great new asset – we hope you will use it as often as possible! Again, thank you to all those who contributed funding, supplies or labor in order to build the Exploration Station.

UPGRADES TO THE COMPUTER LAB
Thanks to Peter Davis, a member of our Board of Directors, and his techies who drove in from Washington --Doug Nordwall, Aaron Thronas, and Bryce Kaspar--for upgrading equipment in the computer lab classroom with expertise and sensitivity to the summer camp program needs. They were thorough in reformatting the computers for better management, consistent security and maximum student use. The 10 student stations and one teacher console now have updated software and easy access to program information and introductions to what programs do. You guys did an incredible job!
 

Seeking Volunteers for the train exhibit
We are planning possible events down the line, and the set-up of the model train exhibit will be evolving over time. If you have an interest in model trains and helping out with the train exhibit, please let us know. Initial installation will be happening on May 13-15.

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!


BIKE DAY 2007
The Science Factory, Willamette Resources and Educational Network (WREN), and the City of Eugene are hosting the 3rd Annual Bike Day event on Saturday, June 2. Join in the fun in the morning, the afternoon, or do it all for the best chance to win raffled prizes.

MORNING: Start your day by biking or walking 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. Visit: www.wewetlands.org

AFTERNOON: Visit the Science Factory from 12 noon-4 p.m. for bike safety demonstrations, marimba music, free Ben and Jerry's ice cream, free bike service, unicyclists, racing demos and other fun examples of human powered transportation. Inside the museum, there will be planetarium plenaries with 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 Climate Masters. Learn more: www.sciencefactory.org

DO IT ALL: Visit both the West Eugene Wetlands and the Science Factory to increase your chances of winning raffled prizes by getting the most “stamps” on your Bike Day passport. 

Thank you to all 2007 Bike Day sponsors: City of Eugene , Commuter Solutions, Coyote Creek Environmental Services, Eugene Weekly, Northwest Community Credit Union, Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life, Timber Products Company, and the West Eugene Wetlands Partnership.

It only happens once in a blue moon
—and it’s happening in the sky this month
Skywatchers can see a blue moon this month—it’s happening on May 31. What is a blue moon? Well, there are various definitions, and the most common meaning refers to the second full moon in a calendar month. How often does something that happens once in a blue moon occur? With this definition, about every 2 years or so on average. The period between full moons equals 29.5 days, so that’s why it’s possible to have more than one full moon in a month.

The other common definition of a blue moon refers to the third full moon within a season having four full moons. This type of blue moon occurs less often than with the other definition. This type of blue moon will next occur in this part of the world on May 19, 2008.

SEEK YOUR MUSE
The Museums of Springfield/Eugene, or MUSE, have a brand new marketing brochure. The full-color brochure highlights the 14 member organizations of the museum consortium and is being distributed throughout the Eugene/Springfield area and beyond. The brochure contains maps, member museum contact information, web addresses, and a special coupon page. The Science Factory is a member of MUSE, so you can pick up the informative new brochure in our lobby.

New Members FOR April
More and more visitors are realizing the benefits of becoming members. Here are the newest members of the Science Factory: Kristine and Jeffery Fuller, Joanna and Steve Jung, Michelle and Blake Poulton, Shannon and Gary Collins, Debbie Edwards and Shanna Brey, Ruben and Monique Moreno, Stacey and Rod Elledge, Nicole and Micah Brown, Anna Hults and Cary Madden, Jessica Morrell, Paola and Richard Hardt, Amy and Jared Wolfsen, Eunjeong Yu and Hongsung Yoon, Emma Whitchurch and Greg Ivy, Mary Carson and Dan Brock, Susan and Eric White, Christine Arbow and Skip Young, Garrett and Kricket Barnum, Sharlean and Mark Lerfald, Stacey and Marc Cogswell, Yorick and Khammy Wahaus, Kristin and Robert Anderson, Andrea and Michael Mabe, Jeff and Heidi Vinsonhalek, Naomi DePuy, Elizabeth and Alan Rogers.

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:

--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.

SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SHARE DURING DAY OF CARING
We were lucky to have a large group of Springfield High School students come in to aid the Science Factory in clean-up and organization both indoors and outdoors. One group got to work immediately on weeding the front beds that so many people walk by each day. They thinned out the day lily bulbs and moved yard debris (and they did it the hard way with a tarp instead of a wheelbarrow). Inside, we were busy unpacking the industrial storage pod that held all of our education materials needing to be moved into the newly remodeled classroom. There were several smaller tasks that ranged from testing batteries to filling and labeling storage tubs and breaking down boxes. They were flexible with whatever we had them do and had a good attitude. Fabulous job from the whole crew!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Elisa Halemeier is our volunteer of the month. Elise has been an aide and co-presenter in the Magic School Bus classes starting on April 11. She develops curriculum and adapts it to student leaning styles. She preps class materials and stays for clean-up. Elise has worked several outreach events at children’s festivals and high school volunteer fairs where she shares her excitement about the Science Factory with others and gets people interested in attending or contributing volunteer effort to the museum. She is on an internship from the U of O, and Elisa has already exceeded our expectations in ability and commitment. Thanks, Elisa! 

It's BERRY TIME AGAIN!

The Emerald Empire Kiwanis, who do many good deeds with the money they make from selling berries, are now taking orders for the 15th Annual Berry Sale. The Science Factory has been one of the benefactors of the Kiwanis. Here are the mouthwatering details. The costs this year will be $41 for the 30 lb. bucket of fresh strawberries, $27 for the 15 lb. bucket of fresh strawberries, $33 for a 9 lb. bucket of frozen blueberries, and $25 for a 9 lb. bucket of frozen marionberries or strawberries. The planned delivery date for the fresh strawberries is June 14 in the parking lot behind the office buildings at Valley River Center . The frozen berries will be delivered August 9 at the same place. To be accepted, all orders must be postmarked by June 4 and contain the payment for the order. Buy Kiwanis berries, and eat well while doing good.

SCIENCE WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
Here’s a sight that will get a giggle: http://www.grossology.org/

COMING IN JUNE 
- Fri 1 – TOT DISCOVERY DAY: SHAPES, 10 am-12 noon, geared for children ages 5 and under, the Tot Discovery Day series allows parents and their children to take part in specially created hands-on activities created around a central theme.

- Sat 2 – BIKE DAY – 12 noon-4 pm, a colorful variety of bike-related events—see announcement above for more info.