Over 130 people attended this year’s Family Rocket Day! Adults, children, volunteers, and staff really had a wonderful time building and launching rockets from basic air pressure rockets, water rockets, and alka-seltzer rockets, to also having the opportunity to purchase, build, and launch their own engine propelled rocket!
Drawings for FREE rocket kits were held throughout the afternoon! This year’s winners were: Chase Thorenson, Angela Freeman, Jen Zastoupil, Myah Bouman, Haley Dahl, & Christopher Leingang.
From launching rockets, to the “Johnson Space Center” presentation by our Program Coordinator, we were all busy, having a great time! Pat Riepl was on hand to help launch the engine propelled rockets; Mike Whorley brought his personal collection of rockets and video footage of past launches. Thank you to both for their great help!
The Bismarck Tribune was on hand to cover this year’s event! KFYR-TV, KXMB-TV were there too!
Family Rocket Day increases awareness of rocketry. It also gives families time to enjoy learning together. We will see you next year at Family Rocket Day 2011!
Appearance on KXMB noon show with host Marci Narum aired 7/16/2010.
KFYR-TV-Young Scientists Have a Blast! video aired 7/17/2010
Liliana Norby, Communications Specialist
PREMIER MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE COMPETITION ANNOUNCES STUDENT
SEMIFINALISTS
– 47 Students Across the Nation Competing to Win $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds and
Title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” –
Discovery Education and 3M has announced the top 47 middle school students from across the country as semifinalists in the 12th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Christopher Riedman from Bismarck has won the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge semifinalist honor for the state of North Dakota. Chris, a Science Club alum, learned about the Young Scientist Challenge from Gateway to Science, where he has been involved as a member, program participant and volunteer for many years. Chris parents are Michael and Karol Riedman. Gateway to Science Executive Director Beth Demke commented, “Chris is a remarkable young man and well-deserving of this honor. His enthusiasm for science discovery is contagious!”
The semifinalists were selected based on their science communication skills exhibited in a short video explaining the science behind issues millions of Americans face in everyday life, including preventing the spread of germs, ensuring food safety and sun protection. All video entries were evaluated by a panel of judges and assessed on creativity, persuasiveness, classroom suitability and overall presentation—not on video production skills.
Here’s Chris’ video entry on Gateway to Science’s YouTube channel:
Each semifinalist will receive $250 and a prize package including a plaque honoring their science teacher or mentor. Judges will announce the top ten finalists in August, each of whom will be awarded an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to compete in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge finals on October 5, 2010. The winner will receive $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds ($25,000 cash value), the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” and a trip to St. Paul, Minnesota to work alongside 3M’s top scientists and visit the 3M Innovation Center. What an inspiration for our Young Scientists!
A press release was sent out to local media on July 17.
Liliana M. Norby, Communications Specialist
Family Rocket Day on KXMB TV
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Marci Narum, reporter for KXMB TV, stopped by to interview us about Family Rocket Day, which is tomorrow, Saturday, July 17, 2010. View the report here.
Pat Riepl, our returning rocket expert, was also interviewed. He launched a plastic spool during the broadcast, which he’ll repeat at the event tomorrow.
At Family Rocket Day, visitors will be able to build and launch several types of rockets for free, as well as view Mike Whorley’s amazing rocket display and see a photograph presentation of my trip to the Johnson Space Center. We’ll even have several drawings for free rocket kits to take home. In addition, “Estes Generic” rocket kits will be for sale, which volunteers can help you build and launch.
Come prepared to have a blast!
- Christie, Program Coordinator
Gateway to Science Astronaut Camp Featured on KFYR News
By · CommentsKFYR Reporter Jody Kerzman visited the first day of “Astronaut Camp” at Gateway to Science. Her story was featured on the 6 p.m. newscast. Camp instructor Arin Edmundson is using materials directly from NASA to demonstrate life in space for budding young astronauts. This camp continues through Thursday.
If you are interested in space but missed Astronaut Camp, you won’t want to miss Family Rocket Day on Saturday, July 17. The event starts at 12:30 p.m. and runs until 3:30 p.m. at the Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex located at 1810 Schafer Street, Bismarck.
The event is free, open to the public, and no registration required. Families are invited to join us in building and launching a variety of rockets, including water rockets, air pressure rockets, and alka-seltzer rockets.
If you choose to build an engine propelled rocket the cost for the kit is $10.00 for Gateway to Science members and $12.00 for the general public. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pat Riepl, builder of his famous Patriot Rocket, is returning to help launch your rocket and display a few of his own rockets. Mike Whorley, will have his personal collection of Rockets on display and video footage of past launches.
We hope to see you at Family Rocket Day!
~Beth Demke, Executive Director
See Us at Urban Harvest
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Stop by Urban Harvest tomorrow (Thursday, July 8, 2010) and say hello to our Gateway to Science staff. We’ve got some fun hands-on science activities planned for “Children’s Hour”, between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Urban Harvest is in downtown Bismarck, specfically on the corner of 4th Street and Broadway. Hope to see you there!
- Christie, Program Coordinator
Learning New Skills and Teamwork, One Lego® at a Time
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Gateway to Science just completed the first week of Lego Camp, and we are looking forward to the next couple of weeks!
Parents looking for summer camp fun for their children need look no further than Gateway to Science. Our three-day camps began this past Monday and featured two of our five Lego® Summer Science Camps. 
Lego® Camp Coach Pat Phillips encouraged team work, through Lego® building, so the students can develop social skills and learn how to work together. Campers are also learning about engineering, how to design and troubleshoot, make it work and to find an alternative solution to a problem. These are skills that will help them build a successful future.
At Gateway to Science Lego® Camps – Campers are learning about structures by building towers, bridges, cars, catapults and more! Legos® are one of the most popular toys ever created and make excellent tools for children to develop new skills.
On Tuesday, June 29th, Reporter Jody Kerzman stopped by Gateway to Science to visit with our campers. Next is a small blurb of the segment aired on KFYR-TV of her visit.
Conan Blair mentioned how much he enjoys making anything out of Legos®, “taking a bunch of random Legos® and just putting them into any sort of mish mash.” He also built tripods, and robots that will live on a space station. It`s a project he and several other campers were working on one day.
Another group of campers was building a small model of the Empire State Building. Teddy Hardmeyer said, “It`s really cool because it`s going to be really big, maybe a foot tall. We`re going to make it really special.”
KFYR-TV segment on Lego Camps 2010
To enroll a camper, call 701.258.1975, stop by the gallery, or register your camper here online under CAMPS AND PROGRAMS.
Liliana Norby, Communications Specialist
Celebrate the 4th of July at the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra’s annual 4th of July Spectacular at the North Dakota State Capitol Mall! Gateway to Science Board members and volunteers will be selling hot dogs, brats, chips and beverages as a fundraiser to support our exhibits and educational programs.
The event begins at 7:00 p.m. and will feature great food, patriotic music with the BMSO, and awe-inspiring fireworks for an exciting evening with fun for the whole family! The event is completely FREE thanks to generous sponsors and a free-will offering.
We hope you come hungry – you’ll find our concession stand at the north end of the ND State Capitol Mall. We’re looking forward to the celebration!
~Beth Demke, Executive Director
Calling all Rocket Scientists!
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Okay, you don’t really need to be a rocket scientist to help with “Family Rocket Day” on Saturday, July 17. Most “Family Rocket Day” volunteers simply share a love of rockets.
We are currently looking for volunteers for this exciting event. Even if you’ve never launched a rocket before… if rockets ignite your imagination, you can make a difference. Because of you, families who attend Family Rocket Day will be inspired, informed, and amazed about rocketry.
Interested in making a difference and having fun at the same time? Apply to be a volunteer! Or give me a call (701-258-1975) for more information.
- Christie, Program Coordinator
Don’t Miss Arts & Science Camp
By · CommentsThe partners of the Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex have once again joined forces to offer an exciting week-long daycamp for students going into grades K-6.
Register today! Here are the details:
Dates: August 9-13, 2010
Times: 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Where: Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex, 1810 Schafer Street, Bismarck
Cost: Registration fees vary depending on how many classes students take.
Frances Leach Arts & Science Camp will offer activities from High Prairie organizations, including Central Dakota Children’s Choir, Gateway to Science, Shade Tree Players, and Theo Art School. Students will have the opportunity to register for individual classes, half-day or full-day schedules of hands-on art and science learning and fun. Science options offered by Gateway to Science include: Smells Like Fun!, Water Wonders, Move It!, Electrifying Experience, Acids & Bases, and Don’t Drink the Water!
You can check out the full schedule of fun art, music, science and theatre classes and register online at www.highprairiecomplex.com or stop at the Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Science Complex. It’s a great way for students to try out several different disciplines all in one camp!
~Beth Demke, Executive Director
Vote for “The Best of The Best”
By · CommentsThe Bismarck Tribune is holding their annual Reader’s Choice Awards to find “The Best of the Best” in a variety of categories. There are a few categories in which Gateway to Science would be an excellent choice. I encourage you to visit the Tribune website and complete the online ballot and cast your votes for your favorites places. (Note: You must be 12 years of age or older to play. At least 50% of the categories must be completed in order for your votes to be valid.)
Might I suggest…
60. Best Charity Event: Einstein on Wine
62. Best City Attraction: Gateway to Science
67. Best Kids Birthday Party Place: Gateway to Science
79. Best Local News Story: Student to See Space Shuttle Launch
If you think Gateway to Science is a fun place, cast your votes today!
~Beth Demke, Executive Director
