What's Up at the Discovery Center?
Anne Church
Teacher News from the Discovery Center of Idaho
March 2014
March at DCI: “Electricity & Magnetism” take center stage this month, during DCI’s free science demonstrations, weekdays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. – and on weekends at 2 p.m. It’s a great month to schedule a field trip that incorporates this exciting, educational demonstration as well as DCI CLASSICS, exhibits that delighted students 25 years ago when DCI was new. (But don’t worry – your students will still find perennial favorites like the Air Brake Chair, Bubble Wall, and Bed of Nails in their usual places!)
End-of-the-Year Field Trip? If your class plans to celebrate with a field trip to DCI, this is a super time to make that reservation, before the calendar fills up. With an advanced reservation, school field trip admission is just $3 per student, and students from all Title 1 schools are admitted free (thanks to the generous donors to our Good Neighbor program). For every five students in a group, one chaperone will be admitted free. To set up your field trip, or for more details, call Anne Church at 208-287-4236 –or email a.ch...@dcidaho.org.
Upcoming Monthly Themes: Add a free 20-minute “demo” to your visit this spring. Presented at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays, and on weekends at 2 p.m., April demos focus on Air & Vacuums, and May’s focus is Biology. Summer visitors will enjoy shorter table-top shows and demonstrations featuring these themes: in June: Medieval Battle Machines; July: Transportation (Air/Land/Water/Space); August: Genius, Polymath, Mathematical Relationships. Fall themes include Invention & Making (September); Perception & Light (October); and Mechanics (November).
Science AT Your School: DCI Educator, Shelley Best, is eager to bring entertaining, educational science to your school event. Whether you want a full-day science fair for hundreds of folks or an exciting science show for your class, call DCI Outreach at 208-287-4235. Fees range from $200 for a single, hands-on science activity to $700 for a full-day science festival, and there’s no charge for travel.
Science AFTER School: This dynamic program brings Discovery Center staff to your school once a week for six weeks, with hands-on experiments and interactive fun for one hour immediately after school. Parents cover the cost ($60) for students who choose to participate, DCI handles the paperwork and supplies, and all your school provides is a classroom. Current series include Physics Phun and Crazy Chem! To arrange for Science After School at your building, call 287-4236.
DCI Teacher Updates: To receive DCI Teacher Updates by email each month of the school year, just call 287-4236, or email a.ch...@dcidaho.org.
Wishing you all a restful, relaxing Spring Break!