Archive for May, 2012
A Fond Farewell
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Gateway to Science bids a fond farewell to Nick Hornbacher, who has served as a center guide since May 2009. Nick is a graduate of Bismarck High School and has completed his first year at Bismarck State College. He will continue his studies at Moorehead State University and is planning to major in social studies education with minors in music technology and media. Nick is the son of Perry and Cammy Hornbacher.
Most recently, Nick has applied his expertise in video production to help launch the Gateway to Science YouTube channel. He filmed and edited many of the videos posted. Our visitors and staff will miss Nick’s friendly willingness to help in the gallery and at special events. We wish Nick the greatest success!
~Beth Demke, Executive Director
Lego Robotics 2
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Gateway to Science proudly announces that we will be hosting another session of Lego Robotics this summer, titled Lego Robotics 2. The new Lego Robotics 2 will run from AUG 7th through AUG 9th from 1pm-4pm. We had such a large waiting list and wanted everyone to participate, so we created an additional camp for participants! The camp will consist of participants creating a Lego robot that can do many commands, depending on what is programmed. Campers will also get to do some free-building, and discuss the importance of robots. Space is limited and the second session is already filling up! Click HERE to sign up. A prerequisite of a Gateway to Science Lego camp in the past is required.
Arin, Educational Outreach Coordinator
Blue Star Museum Program Beginning at Gateway to Science
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Gateway to Science, North Dakota’s only hands-on science center, is taking part in the Blue Star Museums program. This program offers free admission to all active duty military personnel and their immediate family members Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Please Note: Gateway to Science will be closed on Monday, May 28, to observe Memorial Day but will reopen on Tuesday, May 29, at their regular hours.
Gateway to Science proudly invites our North Dakota Active and Reserve Force families, Minot Air Force Base families, Grand Forks Air Force Base families and other military families as well to visit us this summer. Blue Star Museums is a partnership among Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts, and more than 1,300 museums across America.
Gateway to Science is open Monday-Thursday, 12PM-7PM and Friday-Saturday, 12PM-5PM. We are located in the Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex at 1810 Schafer Street, Bismarck, ND. The free admission is available to active-duty military and their immediate members (military ID holder and up to five immediate family members).
Memorial Day Hours
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Gateway to Science will be closed on Monday, May 28 to observe Memorial Day. The science center will reopen at it’s regular hours of 12PM-7PM on Tuesday, May 29. Have a fun and safe weekend!
Gerri – Communications
The Science Above Us
Posted by: | CommentsOn Tuesday the Bismarck-Mandan area, as well as more than half the state of North Dakota, was under a Tornado Watch. This prediction of tornadoes requires someone with a large science background. Meteorology (the scientific study of the atmosphere) is just one branch of the atmospheric sciences and requires specific knowledge to help predict potentially dangerous conditions that could become harmful. Hence, science becomes the factor when helping predict potentially harmful storms. Please visit NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory information page on tornadoes to learn about the science behind nature’s most violent storm. On Tuesday a supercell in Divide County, only 3/4 mile from the Canadian border, was filmed using TVNWeather.com’s Dominator 2. They will be using this footage on their webisode series, as soon as it is up and running. Watch it now!
Arin, Educational Outreach Coordinator
Congratulations 2012 Graduate!
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Gateway to Science celebrates the graduation of one high school employee this weekend as Kyle Hornbacher graduates from Bismarck High School with Highest Distinction. Kyle is the son of Perry and Cammy Hornbacher. He has played trumpet in the BHS Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band 1 for all three years of high school. Kyle has won numerous honors at regional and state music festivals and was selected for the All-State High School Jazz Band for three years in a row. He also was on the BHS Academic Team this year. He has worked as a Center Guide for nearly two years and will continue to greet our visitors as he attends Bismarck State College. Congratulations, Kyle!
~ Beth Demke, Executive Director
Field Trip Season
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Field Trips are in full swing here at the Gallery. Groups as large as 75 kids at a time have been learning and exploring all the hands-on exhibits that we feature, with ages ranging from preschool up to pre-service teachers from the different local colleges. We have seen groups from Minot, including their Science Olympiad Team, to New Rockford, Wilton, and even several large groups from different areas of South Dakota, including McIntosch and McLaughlin. Students have travelled many hours just to visit our gallery, and they love the experience!
Some of our favorite quotes this spring from the students:
“Thank you for the visit. I liked the heart vs. hand!!!!!” -Abbigail
“I liked the shadow thing, the heart vs. hand, and the electric ball. Thank you for letting us come.” -Jason
“My favorite part was when I got to see the brains and feel what it would feel like.” -Zelda
“Thank you for teaching me about science.” -Robynn
At Gateway, we LOVE seeing children exploring in our gallery. We would love to see more groups in here through the summer. Even if you are not a classroom, we offer great GROUP RATES. Don’t miss out on the excellent learning experience this summer. Call us at 258-1975 to set up your appointment today!
Arin, Educational Outreach Coordinator
Annular Solar Eclipse This Sunday!
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An annular solar eclipse will take place on Sunday, May 20. Most of North Dakota will be able to view the eclipse or part of the eclipse at around 7:00PM CDT. Sunday’s eclipse will not be your normal eclipse because the moon is farther away from the earth than usual. The angular size of the lunar disc isn’t quite wide enough to cover up the sun completely. So, at the peak of the eclipse, a very thin ring of the sun’s photospehere will be exposed around the moon’s dark circle. This is what is known as an annular eclipse! If you are planning on viewing the eclipse you will need to take some special precautions. Do NOT use sunglasses, polaroid filters, smoked glass, exposed color film, x-ray film, or photographic neutral density filters. You can purchase special eclipse glasses, or you can use #14 or darker welder’s glass, or if you’re feeling crafty you can make a pinhole camera. Several webcasts are also being planned, so you can view the eclipse from inside as well.
Gerri – Communications
Last week to register for Legos for Girls, Nature Camp
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Gateway to Science Summer Camps are filling fast. The registration deadline for two exciting new camps is quickly approaching! The registration deadline is Wednesday, May 23, for our first two camps of the season that will be held May 29-31.
Girls and boys who will be in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade next fall and who want to participate in our first Nature Camp should sign up soon.
For girls who will be in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade next fall and who want to build all kinds of interesting structures with Legos, check out Legos for Girls – but register by May 23!
There are plenty of other camps being offered in June, July and August. Check your calendars and register online today!
-Meredith, Programs
Final Preschool Discovery Hour!
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Final Preschool Discovery Hour this Saturday at 10:30 A.M. The students will learn about the cycle of butterflies and also a little about frogs and their metamorphosis. Through exploration of how webbed feet work, exploring what it is like inside a chrysalis, and a few more activities, we will wrap up our Preschool Discovery Hour for this 2011-2012 term. For families looking for preschool science activities this summer, we recommend our family day events, including the Sound of Science, on June 9th. We look forward to starting up Preschool Discovery Hour again next fall and thank everyone for attending!
Arin, Education Outreach Coordinator
