Archive for March, 2011
Come to NanoDays this Saturday!
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We’re wrapping up final preparations for NanoDays, which will be held this Saturday, April 2, 1:00-4:00.
The highlight this year will be the appearance of “Nano Expert” Carrie Leopold, who is visiting us from the ND State College of Science. She will give a presentation at 2:00 explaining the story behind nanotechnology. Ms. Leopold will be available after her presentation to answer your nano-questions. She will also be hosting a special nano-activity of her own amongst the many fun, hands-on nano-activities that Gateway to Science has planned.
Don’t miss this FREE family event. Come anytime to join the fun!
- Christie, Program Coordinator
Announcing the Next Visiting Scientist: Annie Carlson
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Mark your calendars! The Visiting Scientists Series is proud to announce our next speaker: Annie Carlson, Executive Director of FARRMS, “Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability”.
According to Mrs. Carlson, “agriculture is North Dakota’s leading industry, yet over 95% of the food in our grocery stores is imported into the state. We may feed the world, but we’re not feeding ourselves…but we can!” Come learn how!
Mrs. Carlson’s presentation, “Feeding Ourselves First – The Importance of Bioregional Food Sufficiencey”, will be held on Thursday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m. Her presentation will be held on the BSC campus, in the National Energy Center of Excellence auditorium, 1200 Schafer Street, in Bismarck.
Gateway to Science is proud to be part of the Visiting Scientists Series, whose vision it is to “inspire and educate our youth and the public about science, engineering, and mathematics.”
- Christie, Program Coordinator
Snow Day at Gateway to Science!
Posted by: | CommentsGateway to Science will be closed today, due to a major spring snow storm that began on Tuesday in Bismarck. Stay warm and safe!
~Beth Demke, Executive Director
Nano Nano NanoDays!
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I’m excited to announce our next family event: “NanoDays“! This free, family event will be held on Saturday, April 2, 1:00-4:00 p.m. No registration is required, and you can stop by anytime during the event to join in the fun.
“NanoDays” gives visitors a chance to learn about science and technology of the very small. How small is “nano”? A typical sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick! Science gets very strange and different when it’s that small. Are nanoparticles the answer for cancer, oil spills, spoiled food, and cheaper solar panels? Come to “NanoDays” to experience fun hands-on activities that will demonstrate this new area of science.
We are currently looking for volunteers for this fun event. If you are interested, please fill out a volunteer application and mail it in. We’ll contact you with further details.
- Christie, Program Coordinator
News from Gateway to Science this morning!
Posted by: | CommentsEnvironmental Festival at the Science Center! This morning we had 5th graders from Prairie Rose Elementary, Northridge Elementary, and Bob Callies Elementary from Garrison attending our 12th Annual Environmental Festival! At the BSC Jack Science Center, Christie is very busy as well, welcoming many more elementary schools! To our presenters, thankyou! The festival continues this afternoon with more 5th graders!
In another note, the Butterfly Exhibit is back! It’s Butterfly Time! Painted Lady butterflies have arrived to Gateway to Science and are enjoying the early sunshine in the exhibit gallery.
Staff–
One Day to Environmental Festival!
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There’s a great deal of anticipation in the air as Gateway to Science prepares to host our 12th annual Environmental Festival for 5th graders on Wednesday, March 16. After months of planning, our staff aided by over 60 volunteers will create a memorable experience for over 1,000 students and teachers from up to 100 miles from Bismarck.
Thanks to our sponsors, this festival is completely free! 2011 Sponsors are: AE2S, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Burleigh County Soil Conservation District, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation, The Coteau Properties, Great River Energy, Mercer County Soil Conservation District, MDU ECO Fund, ND Chapter of American Public Works Association, ND Forest Service, ND Chapter of American Water Works Association, ND Natural Resources Trust, ND Water Environment Association and South McLean County Soil Conservation District. We are grateful for their generous support!
~Beth Demke, Executive Director
NASA’s Shuttle Discovery Lands
Posted by: | CommentsSpace Shuttle Discovery landed today at 11:57 A.M. EST for the final time at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center after 202 orbits around Earth and a journey of 5,304,140 miles.
For more information, visit NASA’s website.
Less than a year ago, Gateway to Science member and volunteer Chris Riedman witnessed the launch of Discovery. Chris’ video can be found on our website. In a few weeks, Chris will travel to the Johnson Space Center in Houston to visit Dr. Jack Bacon, NASA Engineer. Dr. Bacon is eager to show Chris the behind-the-scenes operations that support the shuttle and the International Space Station missions, so that he can see what his planned future career in spacecraft engineering and operations will look like. What a fabulous opportunity!
Chris and Dr. Bacon met several years ago during a Visiting Scientists Series presentation. Dr. Bacon is planning another visit to Bismarck in 2012.
~ Beth Demke, Executive Director
Excited for the Environmental Festival!
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I can hardly believe that next week will be the 12th year that Gateway to Science has hosted the “Environmental Festival”. This event has grown from its small beginnings to be our biggest event (in audience) of the year. We’re expecting 46 fifth-grade teachers, along with their ~950 students to attend! Some of the teachers are coming from as far as McLean, Mercer, and Stutsman counties!
Students will learn about how humans impact the environment, both positively and negatively, from experts in their field. Just a few of the topics this year will be on water filtration, how electricity is made and how it gets to our homes, how weather works, and the steps that are taken in creating an airport or a mine. Each presentation includes a hands-on component to make the experience more memorable for the students. It’s a great time of fun learning!
The key to the success of this event is the generosity of our sponsors, volunteer presenters, and volunteer guides. Thank you so much!
- Christie, Program Coordinator
