What's Up at DCI?
Anne Church
Teacher News from the Discovery Center of Idaho
April 2014
Leonardo da Vinci: Man-Inventor-Genius: On June 14, this world-famous traveling exhibition will open at DCI. Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest geniuses the world has ever known. More than 500 years ago, he designed flying machines, robots, submarines, underwater breathing gear and solar powered industries; laid ground work for the artificial heart valve; and created artistic masterpieces. On display at DCI will be 60 invention models in scale, produced by the Italian artisan family who has been building the inventions to da Vinci specifications for two centuries. This exhibition includes interactive computer stations, an educational time room, and music composed by da Vinci, as well as a companion exhibition, Man-Artist-Genius. At DCI, the da Vinci exhibitions will occupy the Orange and Blue halls. DCI’s Exhibits Director has rated this exhibition – “Fascinating, even for active little boys!” And the Yellow Room (with the popular “Bubble Wall” and “Bed of Nails”) and miniature grocery store will be open as usual. The da Vinci exhibitions will remain at DCI until November 29. To include this amazing exhibition in a field trip, please call 287-4236.
April at DCI: DCI focuses on “Air & Vacuums” this month, with 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 favorites like the Air Brake Chair, Bubble Wall, and Bed of Nails in their usual places!)
There’s still time for that field Trip! If your end-of-the-year plans include a field trip to DCI, there are still great time slots available. With an advanced reservation, school field trip admission through May 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 adult will be admitted free. To set up your end-of-year field trip, or for more details, call Anne Church at 208-287-4236 –or email a.ch...@dcidaho.org.
Upcoming Monthly Themes: Presented at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays, and on weekends at 2 p.m., May demos focus on Biology. Summer visitors will enjoy shorter table-top demonstrations on these themes: 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: 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.
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.