Gateway to Science - North Dakota's Only Hands-on Science Center

Annular Solar Eclipse This Sunday!

Gateway to Science — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:42:31 +0000

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

Gateway to Science — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:09:10 +0000

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!

Gateway to Science — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:26:06 +0000

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

The Dragon Makes History

Gateway to Science — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:14:40 +0000

This Saturday, a historic event will take place. For the first time in space history, and after a few delays, a private built spaceship will dock with the International Space Station (ISS). The unmanned capsule, named Dragon, will be the first test to see if cargo can be successfully carried to and from the ISS. NASA has hired the company SpaceX, creator of Dragon, to be a part of their Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Program. Eventually the company wants to start carrying passengers into space. Read more here!

Arin, Education Outreach Coordinator

DIY Nano!

Gateway to Science — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:14:28 +0000

Have some big fun with small science at home! The Lawrence Hall of Science has developed a free app called DIY Nano. It is available from the iTunes App Store for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. The DIY Nano app allows families to experience and learn about nanoscale science, engineering, and technology at home or on the go. Each activity includes lists of widely available, inexpensive materials, step-by-step instructions, and detailed explanations. All DIY Nano activities are also available for download as PDFs from whatisnano.org under the DIY tab. Gateway to Science is also offering its first ever Nano Camp this July! So go ahead, explore this small, small world!

-Meredith, Programs

Operation Science

Gateway to Science — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:08:38 +0000

The Bismarck High School Science Olympiad team will present “Operation Science,” a fun-filled evening of hands-on activities and demonstrations, Saturday, May 12, 4:30-8:00 p.m. at Gateway to Science, 1810 Schafer Street, Bismarck. We invite you gather your friends and family for this fun event to support the team. Free will donations and concessions will be available. Proceeds to benefit the Bismarck High team in their efforts to attend the National Science Olympiad Tournament in Florida.

~Beth Demke, Executive Director

Butterflies are flying!

Gateway to Science — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:29:08 +0000

Gateway to Science’s butterfly exhibit has returned! The painted ladies have come out of their chrysalid’s and are flying around the habitat waiting to entertain you. Each week our butterfly population will grow as more butterflies emerge from chrysalid. Stop by to take a look.

Gerri – Communications

We have a pet!

Gateway to Science — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:27:09 +0000

Did you know that we have a LIVE Bearded Dragon living at Gateway to Science? He came to us over a year ago and is one of our most popular exhibits here at Gateway to Science. Bearded Dragons typically live in the desert regions of Australia, so you will see that our little guy, Krypto, lives in a home of sand and wood, to mimic a real habitat. What is making him extra special right now? He is shedding! While Bearded Dragons often shed, never have we been able to pick up large pieces of skin to inspect since he has been with us. We now have a few pieces here at Gateway for you to examine over a magnifying lens. Also when you stop in to visit him, ask us if he is ready to eat! We often can tempt him with some worms or vegetables. Watch the video here to see our little guy during his time “outside” of the tank.

First summer camps start May 29!

Gateway to Science — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:20:58 +0000

The last day of the school year may be quickly approaching, but Gateway to Science is looking forward to the start of summer camps on Tuesday, May 29! We are very excited about our first two camps, running May 29-31. Starting the morning right, Legos for Girls still has room for 4th through 6th grade girls who want to learn about buildings, structures, and more with other girls their age. Nature Camp, taking place in the afternoon, is especially for 1st through 3rd grade girls and boys who want to know more about the world around them. Check out more information about these and our other camps and register here. Some of the camps are already full, so don’t delay!

-Meredith, Programs

The SCIENCE of Mother’s Day!

Gateway to Science — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:40:15 +0000

Technology is just another aspect of Gateway to Science! Without it, what would science CREATE? With this in mind, why not use SCIENCE to give your Mom the ultimate GIFT this Mother’s Day. Click here for the Today’s Shows top list of TECH GIFTS for Mom this Sunday. Want to do something as a family? Get a membership here for Gateway to Science. All Gateway to Science members receive reciprocal privileges through the Association of Science Technology Centers (ASTC). This includes free admission to museums around the country, such as the Oregon Museum of Science in Industry (OMSI) in Portland, Oregon. With a Gateway to Science membership, ALL of your vacations throughout the year will always include Free Science Opportunities! Mother’s Day is all about celebrating the family, and the contributions that YOUR MOM gives to the world. Make it extra special this year with SCIENCE!