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Nature Tots
Spring stories, crafts and songs join animals and guided investigation in this series made for tot/adult partners. This is as great way to make science a part of your active week. Choose a six or eight punch card out of our ten sessions and come when you and your nature tot decide. Click here for weekly topics.

NT1: Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8; 10:00-11:00 a.m.

NT2: Thursdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9; 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Six class punch card: $30 Member adult/child pair/$40 Non-member adult/child pair.
Eight class punch card: $40 Member adult/child pair/$50 Non-member adult/child pair.

Pint-Sized Professors:

To the Stars!

Kick off the International Year of Astronomy with this look at planets and stars. We’ll check out constellations and moon phases, model the planets and take a space hike to judge distance. We’ll also blast off with a day of simple rocket fun!
PS1: Tuesdays, March 3, 17, 31; 3:30-4:45 pm
$36 Members/$45 Non-members

Animals in Winter

How do whales stay warm in icy water, what happens during hibernation, and which birds stay put in our backyards? Explore animal survival strategies, meet a few wide awake animals and make a bird feeder tailored for winter residents.
AW2: Thursday, February 19; 3:30-4:45 pm
$12 Members/$18 Non-members

Let it Snow!

We’ll study water in its three forms – gas, liquid and solid. We’ll even make some fun fake snow and taste some snowballs!
LS1: Thursday, February 26; 3:30-4:45 pm
$12 Members/$18 Non-members

Science Explorers:  Space Adventures

2009 celebrates the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s use of a telescope with the International Year of Astronomy. Your stargazers will learn about different telescopes and make their own, make a spectroscope to study light, and take a planetary hike as we learn about space. We’ll also safely observe our own star, the sun.
SE1: Tuesdays, March 10, 24, April 7: 3:30-4:45 pm
$36 Members/$45 Non-members

Owls, Inside Out

Biologists study owl diets through pellets – balls of undigested fur and bones that are regurgitated (coughed back out). Our pellets are dried and sterilized before dissection. You’ll learn to identify the skulls and bones found within. We’ll also look at how owls are so successful, from feathers to feet and meet an owl.
OW1: Thursday, February 12; 3:30-4:45 pm
$12 Members/$18 Non-members

For the Birds

Spring is here and so are backyard birds, from migrants to year-round residents. We’ll learn how to observe birds and discuss binoculars, set up nesting materials for your yard and walk through the zoo’s backyard bird habitats. Finish with an up-close look at some of our Science Center birds.
FB1: Thursday, March 26; 3:30-4:45 pm
$12 Members/$18 Non-members

Take a Hike

We’ll compare the last of winter with signs of spring as we investigate woods, streams and ponds at the Science Center and Country Park. Then we’ll return to the lab to look at some of the small critters and pond life we find. Wear sturdy shoes and prepare to dig into science for this hands-on hike!
TH1: Saturday, April 18; 10:00 am-noon.
$15 Members/$20 Non-members

Plan a great spring break full of hands-on science and exploration for your child! The Science Center’s Spring Break Camps offer a wide range of activities across our indoor/outdoor campus.

Grades K-2: Animal Expeditions

From amphibians to mammals, we’ll look at a different animal group each day. Find out about them through activities, crafts and visits from animal ambassadors from every group. We’ll explore the zoo and neighboring woods and water as we learn, so be prepared with sturdy shoes and field clothes.

Grades 3-5: Outdoor Explorers

Wear your sneakers and get ready to explore the great outdoors! From streams to a pond, woods to field, we’ll check out the many varied habitats of Natural Science Center grounds, Country Park and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Science sleuths will be on the lookout for signs of spring and will also try cool outdoor experiments.  

Ages 11-16: LEGO Robotics

In this special weeklong session your engineering nut will take on a challenge from a past FIRST LEGO League mission game. We will build and program fully autonomous robots from LEGOs and RoboLab software. LEGO Robotics uses programmable NXT bricks. All robotic actions are programmed by the participants and operate autonomously. This class works best for students of a HIGH CONCENTRATION LEVEL with WELL-DEVELOPED ABSTRACT THINKING SKILLS. Please bring a snack and drink each day.
LR5: April 13-17; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
$95 Member/$125 Non-member

Beginner LEGOs
Ages 6-7
Our youngest engineers are introduced to building challenges, teamwork and creative innovation with their favorite building blocks. Classes have both directed assignments and creative free-building time to apply lessons with moving parts based on simple machines. No battery boxes or motors are involved. One session per child, please.
BL2: Tuesdays, January 27, February 3, 10, 17; 3:15-4:45 pm
BL4: Tuesdays, March 17, 24, 31, April 7; 3:15-4:45 pm
$40 Members/$60 Non-members

EARLY (Engineering And Robotics Learned Young) LEGOs
Ages 8-10 years
EARLY LEGO Explorations uses LEGO parts, motors and a battery box to learn the basics of sound mechanical engineering and good building techniques. The emphasis is on building sound structures and working moving creations. Motors and battery boxes are involved to help make things move. No computers or programming is involved.
One session per child, please.

EL2: Mondays, January 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2; 3:15 - 4:45 pm

EL3: Wednesdays, January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4; 3:15 - 4:45 pm

EL5: Mondays, March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 20, 27; 3:15 - 4:45 pm

EL6: Wednesdays, March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 22, 29; 3:15 - 4:45 pm
$70 members/$85 non-members

LEGO Robotics
Ages 11-16
Experience LEGOs in a way you have never done before! We will build and program fully autonomous robots from LEGOs and RoboLab software. Everyone will have a hands-on opportunity to test his/her ability to solve an assortment of past FIRST LEGO League mission games. LEGO Robotics uses a combination of programmable RCX and NXT bricks. All robotic actions are programmed by the participants and operate autonomously.

LR2: Thursdays, January 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5; 3:15 – 4:45 pm

LR4: Thursdays, March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 23, 30; 3:15 – 4:45 pm
$70 members/$85 non-members

Bring math into your class in March as you celebrate Pi Day, March 14 (aka 3.141592 . . .).  Pi (π ) is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It has fun and useful applications everywhere, so treat your class to Pi! Some great Pi Day links:

http://www.piday.org/ - hear a Pi rap, Pi(ano) interpretation and more
http://unihedron.com/projects/pi/ - classroom poster to download
http://www.mobot.org/education/megsl/pi.html - activities for teachers 

The Natural Science Center also has a limited number of stand-alone Pi Day activities that are ready for the classroom. Each activity comes enclosed in a display box to make an instant math station suitable for upper elementary students. These are available for one-day loans March 9, 10, and 11, or for the weekend if you borrow on March 13. Call 336-288-3769 ext. 315 to schedule a pick-up.