Moneyville at CSX

Children’s Science Explorium’s new exhibit now open!

The new traveling exhibit Moneyville is now open! Moneyville uses the fascinating subject of money to build math skills and promote economic literacy in a fun and immersive urban landscape. Moneyville is open through January 13 during regular Explorium hours. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person www.ScienceExplorium.org.

FAU Owls host 2012 Engineering Week Expo

Seminole Ridge SECME was welcomed to Florida Atlantic University by Dean Mohammad Ilyas, head of the College of Engineering and Computer Science on Tuesday, February 21. High students from Palm Beach and Broward counties were on the Boca campus for a pre-college presentation for National Engineering Week.
Engineers Make a World of Difference: (l to r) Ronit Liberman, Kris Cousins, and Summer Roque with our winning banner.
The event began with a parade of banners the students had created on the theme “Engineers Make a World of Difference,” followed by speakers from the US Air Force on new technologies and the Australian outback, and the US Navy on nuclear energy and submarines. Students toured the campus laboratories, with demonstrations on the different types of engineering classes and research projects conducted at FAU, including electrical, civil, mechanical and ocean engineering and computer science on the cloud.
2nd place banner winners (l. to r.) Ronit Liberman, Kris Cousins, and Seminole SECME Captain Caitlin Miller with Jessica Lewis and Brenda Simmons from the FAU Deparment of Engineering Students Services
The day ended with Seminole SECME winning second place in the banner competition. The Hawks then explored the exhibits at Science Explorium in Boca Raton.

(Click on the first picture to flip through the Seminole SECME team at Florida Atlantic University for National Engineering Week 2012 and the Children's Science Explorium on Tuesday, February 21, 2012)

20120221 FAU E-Week

Blue Man Group: Making Waves at the Explorium

Blue Man Group—Making Waves. The 1,500 square foot exhibit features a playful and accessible approach to the science of sound. Colors, shadows and luminescent objects create an exciting visual setting where we see, feel, hear and create in the fun-filled signature Blue Man style that encourages exploration and discovery of the wonder and joy of sound!

Dates: January 27—April 29, 2012
Cost: Suggestion donation $5.00
For information (561) 347-3912,
or http://www.scienceexplorium.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.details&ArticleId=20&returnTo=upcoming-exhibits-1

Seeing Sound
What does sound look like? Here visitors can play a Theremin organ—an eerie sounding instrument played by moving closer or farther away. An oscilloscope shows the sound waves created and kids can watch the distinctive patterns of harmonies and dissonance while they play.

Slide/Build-u-lum
In this area visitors put together PVC tubes – a signature Blue Man experience – to create instruments. At the Build-u-lum bins of color coded pipe provide the raw materials and different tube lengths result in different pitch. Song books with color-coded “notes” are attached making it possible to build and play a song. At the Slide-u-lum, percussion meets the slide trombone. Visitors slide PVC tubes into long or short configurations then strike their new instrument to produce the note they’re looking for.

Sand Drum
We all know that sound is a physical vibration in the air. But we rarely think about the physicality of sound. Here we’ll see, and feel that sound is a physical force with the ability to move things. Speakers mounted under drum heads will produce aural vibrations that form resonance patterns in sand. As we control the pitch and volume, the patterns respond giving a physical form to the aural experience.

PVC’s
Play PVC instruments just like Blue Man Group. Three sets of pipes let kids experiment separately – or join together in their own Blue Man performance. A pulsing black-light produces brilliant colors and the PVCs are positioned in front of a dramatic stage photograph from the show. A great place for collaboration between visitors, kids can follow a flashing light to play pre-set tunes or compose their own creations.

Belly Drum
No more pots and pans after visitors experience the Belly Drum wall. Learn from the Blue Men how to use the human body as a percussion instrument. Once the art of belly drumming is perfected visitors can play along as the Blue Men perform the Belly Drum Song.

Surround Sound Theater
The whole experience comes together in the intimate surround sound theatre. The Blue Men perform a song created specifically for this exhibit maximizing the use of surround sound technology while putting together the elements of sound showcased throughout the interactive exhibit .The musical crescendo like the Blue Man show itself, will leave visitors asking for more.

Edventure Alert: Egg Drop Challenge

September: Egg Drop Challenge

Use a variety of recyclable materials to design and build a raw egg protector. We will test the designs by dropping them from heights of 6,12, and 20 feet.

Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 17, 10:30am - 12:00pm

Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian

Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

See more family programs here:

http://www.scienceexplorium.org/family-programs

Vesta Fiesta: Dawn Spacecraft Snaps Close-up Image of Asteroid Vesta

NASA's Dawn spacecraft, which over the weekend became the first spacecraft to orbit a main-belt asteroid, has just returned a close-up image of Vesta.
FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/18jul_dawn4/

Vesta Fiesta: Dawn Set to Orbit Giant Asteroid on July 15th

On July 15, NASA's ion-propelled Dawn spacecraft will become the first mission to enter orbit around a main-belt asteroid.
FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/15jul_dawn2/

Eyes to Skies Friday, August 12th at 7:00 pm.
Celebrate the beginning of Dawn's year-long exploration of new worlds. After close to four years cruising at stunning speeds, the robotic spacecraft is catching up to the object of its first destination in the main asteroid belt: Vesta. Don't Dawn and Vesta deserve a fiesta?
- Come hear talks from local Solar System Educator
- Enjoy kids’ activities like the Dawn Relay Race, Is the Asteroid like a Grape or a Raisin? and Vegetable Light Curves.

The Children's Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton, FL, 300 South Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33486 (Recommended for Ages 8+)

- All children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
- No registration required - just show up! The telescope will be out for at least one hour after the scheduled start time.
http://www.scienceexplorium.org/family-programs
phone: (561) 347-3912
email: Explorium@myboca.us

Explorium engineerin​g challenges this fall

The Children's Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park in Boca has family programs this fall which I think will be interesting for SECME coordinators. The October bridge and the December glider are on Sunday mornings.

Monthly Family Challenges
http://www.scienceexplorium.org/family-programs
Are you tired of the same old weekend routine? Is your family ready for a challenge? Each month the CSE will be hosting a friendly competition where families can put their skills to the test and work as a team to build, create, test and change up your weekend fun!
* Pre-registration is required and will begin four (4) weeks prior to challenge dates.
* Register in person at the front desk of the Sugar Sand Park Community Center or online through Webtrac. *NOTE: You will have to register in person the first time in order to set up a Webtrac account.
* All program materials will be provided.

September: Egg Drop Challenge
Use a variety of recyclable materials to design and build a raw egg protector. We will test the designs by dropping them from heights of 6,12, and 20 feet.
Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 17, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

October: Bridge Building Competition
Test your engineering skills by building a model bridge out of simple materials. Test your structure by adding weight.
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct. 16, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

November: Crash Test Challenge
Can your team build a car using K'nex that will survive the crash wall?
Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 19, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

December: Glider Competition
How high can you fly? Construct a glider and test its ability to fly through a set of obstacles.
Date & Time: Sunday, Dec. 11, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 5+ with parent/guardian
Cost: $15.00 adult/child pair, $5.00 each additional person

Brain Teasers at the Explorium

BRAIN TEASERS 2

Gain new appreciation for your brain and what it can do with Brain Teasers 2. This exhibit offers 20 challenges for puzzle enthusiasts of all ages. The exhibit is designed to sharpen problem-solving skills and provide plenty of fun.

Visitors must use creative thinking and problem solving strategies such as looking for patterns, thinking ahead, setting aside preconceived ideas, and looking at problems from different perspectives.

Can you separate two linked metal hearts and then reassemble them? Arrange standard geometric shapes to create startling new ones? Solve a maze that is apparently unsolvable? Those who can't the first time have been known to come back and try again!

Solutions after the jump!

SOLUTIONS
Brain Teasers 2: disorder (challenge 2 solution)



Brain Teasers 2: Color Match (solution)




Brain Teasers 2: ten pegs in each row (24 peg solution)

Brain Teasers 2: ten pegs in each row (26 peg solution)





Brain Teasers 2: Color Match (solution)

Explorium Edventure Day

EXPLORIUM EDVENTURE DAY
Saturday, March 19th, 12 noon - 4 PM
Are you curious about how and why things work the way they do? The Children’s Science Explorium invites you to investigate, dares you to dig, and promises to peer into the excitement of science as we celebrate the wonders of our world! Join us as we celebrate a day of hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, and activities meant to stir our natural curiosities.

FAU Owls host 2011 E-Week Expo

Our SECME group attended Florida Atlantic University’s Engineering Week pre-college presentation February 22 to hear speakers Karl Stevens (dean of FAU’s college of engineering and computer science) and Larry Port (co-founder and chief software architect of Rocket Matter, which provides online legal practice management software). During lunch, SRHS competed against other high schools from Broward and Palm Beach counties in the banner, pop fly launcher, and touchdown lander design challenges.

Our students won first place for their banner artwork, third place for their foot-powered mini-catapult launcher, and first place again for their lander, which cushioned their ping-pong payload during a five-foot freefall. The Hawks also showcased their VEX robot playing ‘Round Up’ during a robotic demonstration and explored the Science Explorium in Boca Raton.

1st place banner
2010 SECME Student of the Year for Palm Beach County, FL: Shelby Weininger

FAU College of Engineering

Science Explorium

April at the Explorium

Here is what’s happening this month at the CHILDREN'S SCIENCE EXPLORIUM at Sugar Sand Park

Hours: M-F, 9a- 6p; Saturday/Sunday, 10a-5p
Phone# (561) 347-3912
http://www.scienceexplorium.org/

Traveling Exhibit: Toy Time

Science, history, and culture come together in this exhibit that uses no electricity – all movement is through simple machines and guest actions. More than 15 components with over 30 activity stations will keep you and your kids active, stimulated, and experimenting. Toy Time was developed by Museum Productions, LLC.
Those Fabulous Folk Toys
Lunging Lumberjacks: balancing toys are designed with the center of mass below the pivot point
Lily Landstrom and the "Dancing Duo"
Lily and Erich Landstrom explore the giant Jacob's Ladder at the Toy Time exhibit
Date: Through April
Time: Children’s Science Explorium hours
Cost: $5.00 suggested donation

Fun and Games @ the Children's Science Explorium

The Children’s Science Explorium in Boca Raton, FL, invites visitors of all ages for fun and games during Spring 2010.

TOY TIME

Science, history, and culture come together in this exhibit that uses no electricity – all movement is through simple machines and guest actions. More than 15 components with over 30 activity stations will keep you and your kids active, stimulated, and experimenting. Toy Time was developed by Museum Productions, LLC and will be open February 4 – April 30, 2010.
http://www.toytimeexhibit.com/

TEAM UP
Explore the science of sports through 15 interactive stations and learn about science and math!

Team Up! Explore Science & Sports examines the science of sports through 15 interactive components. Visitors can test their own skills in sports such as basketball, tennis, soccer, and football while learning about math and physics.

In this exhibition, visitors are invited to do such things as:
- Discover their pitching speed in a radar-equipped booth;
- Experiment with balance using pommel-horse and balance beam interactives;
- Make a perfect bounce pass to a "teammate" located on the other side of a barrier;
- Shoot a marble-sized basketball through a tiny hoop while learning about trajectory angles.

Team Up! was developed by Discovery Center Museum, as part of the TEAMS Collaborative, with major funding from the National Science Foundation. Team Up! will be open Memorial Day – Labor Day, 2010.
http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/exhibits/sports.php
http://www.astc.org/exhibitions/teamup/dteamup.htm

Be an engineer at the Explorium's exhibit "Tech City"

The Children’s Science Explorium in Boca Raton allows visitors to invent, design and create in Tech City for Fall 2009.

Tech City is a traveling exhibition that includes fun, interactive stations where visitors solve the kind of real-world problems that engineers face. The exhibits present an engineering approach with opportunities for designing, building, testing, and modifying.

Dam the Creek

Visitors prevent the creek from flooding Tech City by building a gravity dam using metal blocks.

Earthquake!!!

Visitors design and build structures, then test the results against earthquake forces on the shake table.

Build a Bridge


Visitors experiment with model bridges at the build and test station. They can also walk across three 2.4 meter-long bridges with different levels of sag.


Seperation Station

This component features a hydraulic system of clear pipes where visitors can experiment with different filters to separate out plastic beads.

Design the Plaza

Visitors can experiment with the trade-offs between aesthetics and cost while designing patterns using tiles on a city plaza model.