Archive for February, 2011
Preschool Science – New Session in March!
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Learning about the senses with a pinata!
If you and your preschooler are missing out on the February session, don’t fret! A March session has just opened up, filled with new and exciting science activities and games. Arin, the leader of this fun group, is planning some explorations with water, the weather, and more. Learn more and register today!
- Christie, Program Coordinator
Employment Opportunity
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Gateway to Science is currently seeking applicants to fill the part-time position of Communications Specialist. Liliana Norby, who has done an outstanding job for us, has been hired as the new Executive Director of Theo Art School, one of our partners in the Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Science Complex. We will miss working with Liliana, but we know that she will excel in her new position and wish her the very best!
The Communications Specialist is responsible for maintaining communications with all constituents, including members, donors, teachers, parents, volunteers and the general public. Duties to include producing quarterly newsletter and other publications, updating website and other forms of electronic communication, issuing media releases, placing information into various directories.
This is a great opportunity to become part of the team at Gateway to Science and make a difference in the lives of children! For more information about this exciting opportunity, visit our employment page and download the job description. Application deadline is February 28. Send resume’ with salary requirements to Beth Demke, Gateway to Science, 1810 Schafer Street, Suite 1, Bismarck, ND 58501-1218.
~Beth Demke, Executive Director
Register for ‘da Genius daVinci!
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‘da Genius daVinci!
~~ a SUPER hands on arts and science day camp
February 22, 2011 – 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Note: It’s a day off for Bismarck Public School students.)
Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Science Complex has an exciting SUPER day camp on Tuesday, February 22 for kids kindergarten to third grade. Bring a brown bag lunch and join us for ‘da Genius daVinci! This hands-on, action-filled day features the life, times, and brilliant work of Leonardo daVinci. Cost is $45 for members of any High Prairie partner organization and $55 for nonmembers. Download the registration form.
OR
Register online today!
OR
Stop at High Prairie for a registration form.
Deadline is Friday, February 18.
The day starts with a welcoming introduction by an actor-historian Leonardo himself, followed by seven lively arts and science activities through which participants will rotate. Highlights of the day include:
Gateway to Science presents Renaissance Science – an investigation of daVinci’s scientific interests during which kids make a rotocopter, witness the power of steam, and explore their own depth perception.
Suzuki School of Music presents daVinci’s Lutes -an opportunity to build a lute, experiment with how sounds are created on each lute and listening to Renaissance music of daVinci’s time.
Central Dakota Children’s Choir presents Shape It, Draw It, Play It – an activity for kids to create a group sculpture with moving parts followed by sketching the sculpture and setting it to rhythm.
Shade Tree Players presents Transporting to daVinci’s Day – an experience in dramatic ‘play’ with simple costume drapings, centuries-old etiquette and simple Italian phrases that transforms each child into a mini-daVinci.
Theo Art School presents Smile for Leonardo – a focus on fascinating faces, where daVinci’s famed Mona Lisa portrait launches each child’s own creation or a portrait, learning to draw simple expressions and a face.
and more…
For more information, call 258.1975.
Engineering Events – a Huge Success!
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Team Jersey
Greater than Average
Smurfs
We saw about 150 people at the “Widget Contest” and “Explore Engineering” events on Tuesday, Feb. 8. A fun time was had by contest participants, audience members, and young engineers-to-be at this combo event for all ages. Our partnership with the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers, Chapter 3 is very valued by us at Gateway to Science, and we hope to continue working together to bring you these engineering events again next year.
The teams that competed in the “Widget Contest” all displayed an amazing amount of teamwork and ingenuity to accomplish this year’s goal: to get roll of toilet paper to unroll exactly 50 centimeters. “Team Jersey” (Armeka H, Dylan T, Tanner H, and Justin J from Century High School) earned 1st Place, taking home not only $200, but also an invitation to the NDSPE Engineering Banquet. “Greater than Average” (Samuel H, Andrew T, Jordon H, and Sadie B from Horizon Middle School) earned 2nd place and $100. The “Smurfs” (Kathryn M, Rachel L, Rylee K, and Mikaela M from Horizon Middle School) earned 3rd place and $100. Congratulations to all 8 teams who competed – you all showed amazing ability and creativity!
“Explore Engineering” was also great fun for all who attended. Children and their families participated in hands-on engineering activities. Some of the activities included designing, building, and test-flying Hoop Gliders, determining which liquids are best at shining pennies, and a free-build station with household items to give the children time to let their imagination run wild. It was really fun to see all the creative inventions the children came up with!
A special thanks to our event sponsors: the BPS Career Academy, Target, and Ron Henke!
- Christie, Program Coordinator
Preschool Science! A Great Time
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Last Saturday, February 5th, was the first day that our group of preschool parents met for the February session of Preschool Science! We received such a great response that we are now accepting registrations for the March Session!
The kids learned about Exploring Measurements! Parents traced their children on a large piece of paper (tracing their bodies) and measured the length of the room by laying down the piece of paper (their bodies traced) once, then again. The goal? To find out how many “kids” long is the room! This activity helped them to begin to build a sense of about how long something is before they measure it.
Enjoy a time of science exploration with your preschooler. Hands-on activities will help your preschooler discover more about the world around them.
Dates: Saturdays, March 5-26.
Times: 10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Cost: Members $35 Nonmembers $40*
For more information, go to PRESCHOOL SCIENCE
Liliana M. Norby, Communications Specialist
We’re Taking Our Brains to the ND Capitol!
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Gateway to Science was invited by the American Heart Association to participate in an informational event for state legislators. We will display several stations of our “Use Your Brain” exhibition, including the real brain specimens. If you happen to be working at or visiting the ND State Capitol on Friday, February 4, between 7:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., stop in the Great Hall to experience this awesome exhibition.
This is a great opportunity for the lawmakers in our state to learn more about Gateway to Science, the only hands-on science center in North Dakota!
~Beth Demke, Executive Director
Leonardo daVinci Visits Students
Posted by: | CommentsSix classes of second graders had the chance to meet Leonardo daVinci and learn more about his life and interests yesterday at “‘da Genius daVinci,” a joint program offered by the partners at Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex. Leonardo daVinci, as portrayed by actor Paul Murphy, shared his story of curiosity and exploration in an opening monologue. Students then rotated through six different sessions of art, music, theatre and science.
Gateway to Science presented “Renaissance Science,” an exploration of daVinci’s scientific discoveries, and “The Magic of Mirrors,” where students practiced mirror writing and explored our “Mirror Images” exhibition. This exciting program will be repeated today for six more classes, mostly first graders, and is also offered as a full-day adventure for grades K-3 on February 22 (a teacher in-service day for Bismarck Public Schools). ‘da Genius daVinci is funded by individual teacher incentive grants through the North Dakota Council on the Arts.
Online registration for the ‘da Genius daVinci on February 22 is now open.
