A Sarah's Science E-news Publication
on the Wonderful World of Science and Nature

March 2008
In This Issue


Featured DVD
Planet Earth


Spring Camp 2008 Oceans

Mother/Daughter Science

Bug of the Month Club:
Mantis Mania

Mantis Mania Memories

 
Featured DVD

 
 
Planet Earth
The Complete BBC Series

Narrated by
David Attenborough 
 

Studio: BBC Warner

Released: April 24, 2007
Length: 550 minutes


available from
 

Planet Earth is an astonishing 11-part BBC series brilliantly narrated by Sir David Attenborough and sensibly organized so that each 50-minute episode covers a specific geographical region and/or wildlife habitat (mountains, caves, deserts, shallow seas, seasonal forests, etc.) until the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you'll ever experience from the comforts of home. Five years in production, over 2,000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, shot entirely in high definition, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this magnificent series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth's most extreme habitats. Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never experience anywhere else.

 

We recommend that parents watch Planet Earth with their children to help them through a few potentially sad parts.

 
_________________
 
Summer Camp
 
 

THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND Summer Day Camp blends the exciting science and nature studies developed by Sarah Shaffer, with art, music, hiking, swimming, and outdoor games. Our goal is for every child to have a summer filled with outrageous fun in a beautiful, wild, natural setting. We say, "No child left indoors!" 

 

Nature and science work together. The weird and wonderful world of nature provides a great way to "hook" kids on science. In turn hands-on science and art activities connect children to the natural world, increasing environmental awareness and instilling a deep caring for our world. 

 
WEEKLY THEMES

Each week your child will work on two hands-on projects per day related to our weekly themes.

Oakland and Berkeley themes include:

■ Catapults and Castles

- Medieval Science
■ Crazy Color Contraptions
■ Terrific Transformers
■ Batty about Bats
■ The Science of Snooping

San Ramon themes include:

■ All Wired Up!
■ Coyotes and their
Canine Kin
■ Crazy Contraptions
■ Rockin' Robots
■ Kaboom! Pop, Burst
& Bubble

CAMP DATES:
Oakland and Berkeley
June 16 - August 29, 2008
San Ramon
July 7 - August 15, 2008

HOURS:
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Extended care available
8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

LOCATIONS:
Roberts Regional Park
Our Oakland site is located in beautiful Roberts Regional Park off Skyline Boulevard in the Oakland Hills. This site is known for its lush second-growth redwood forest. It also has a pool, grassy playing fields, and play structures.

Tilden Park
Our Berkeley site is located at the Buckeye and Orchard Picnic Areas; lovely wooded sites below the Carousel. We are surrounded by great paths and streams, and we hike to Lake Anza to swim once a week.

Little Hills Ranch
San Ramon

Our newest site is located at beautiful Little Hills Ranch on Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon. Although it's a mere ten minute drive from the I-680 freeway, Little Hills Ranch is a secluded, peaceful oasis removed from the hectic everyday world. This lovely, rejuvenating location next to Las Trampas Regional Park features 100 acres of open grassy areas and large shade trees, a fenced swimming pool, play structures and hiking trails.

For more information call (510) 581-3739

or visit our website: www.sarahscience.com

______________
 
C
ool Links
 
An Exploration of Nature in the SF Bay Area
 
 
 
 
Year of the Frog
 
 
 
___________________
 

Shop Amazon.com
 
 

Shop at Amazon.com and support This Land Is Your Land Summer Day Camp scholarships. All purchases made at Amazon.com through the above link will generate 4%-10% referral fees, which will be used by Sarah's Science to provide scholarships to children who would otherwise be unable to attend. Thank you.

 
 
 
 
 
 

� 2008 Sarah's Science.
All Rights Reserved.

Greetings!
 
Welcome to Spring! We can't wait to start our Spring Camps next week in Oakland and our new site in Dublin, followed by Berkeley the week of March 31 - April 4. We have some fantastic projects focusing on our theme of Oceans, and we'll be taking a field trip to the Marin Headlands in Sausalito. We still have space available, so give us a call and sign up.
 
In addition to our new Dublin Spring Camp location, we are also opening a new Summer Camp in San Ramon at Little Hills Ranch. If you have friends in the Tri-Valley area who you feel would be interested in our programs, please pass the word.
 
One of my favorite programs, Mother/Daughter Science, is coming up on Saturday, April 5th. My daughter Riva and I look forward to this opportunity every year to allow girls to experience the joy of science and help mothers support their daughters' pursuit of science. This year we'll learn about electricity as we make battery-powered light-up jewelry. Don't miss this chance for some wonderful mother/daughter bonding and fun!
 
We had so much fun with Mantis Mania on March 8th in Oakland and March 15th in San Ramon that we're offering it again in Oakland on Saturday, April 26th. The program is expanded to two hours. We'll learn the life cyle and natural history of the fascinating praying mantis, and supply you with all the materials you'll need to raise your very own pet praying mantis.
 
Don't forget you can save $10/week if you register for Summer Camp by April 1st. Enrollments are pouring in, so now is a good time to check your schedule and get those registrations in before the end of March.
 
I look forward to seeing many of you at Spring Camp next week.
 
                                     Sincerely,
                               Sarah Shaffer
 
Photo of Sarah courtesy of SF Chronicle
 
 
 
At our Spring Camp 2008, Oceans, for children ages 5 - 15, we will be studying the amazing underwater world of oceans. Through a series of exciting, hands-on science lessons, we will explore the tides, currents, and the bizarre creatures and plants that inhabit the ocean. We will learn about the shoreline where land meets the sea. On Wednesday (Oakland) and Thursday (Dublin/San Ramon, Berkeley), we will take a field trip to the Marin Headlands.
 

In addition to studying California's oceans, we will do fun, creative art projects, play outdoors, take hikes, and watch science movies.

 

Featured Projects

Each child will make and take home:

  • Magnetic ocean aquarium
  • 3-D spouting whale
  • Octopus diving toy
  • Shark tooth necklaces
  • Ocean food chain
  • Balloon-powered boat
  • Ocean life matching game
  • Fish Prints
DATES
Oakland: March 24 - 28, 2008

Dublin/San Ramon: March 24 - 28, 2008

Berkeley: March 31 - April 4, 2008

HOURS
8:00 am - 5:30 pm

COST
$95/day; $80/day if you register for all 5 days

LOCATIONS
Lake Merritt United Methodist Church

1255 First Avenue, Oakland

Dublin Elementary School
7997 Vomac Road, Dublin

The Crowden Music Center
1475 Rose Street, Berkeley

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
or visit our website at www.sarahscience.com.
 

 
  
Mother/
Daughter Science
 
A Sarah Shaffer/
Riva Elliott Production
 

You bet girls love science!!!


This workshop is designed to let girls experience the joy of science and help mothers support their daughters' pursuit of science.

In this workshop we will learn about electricity as we each make battery-powered light-up jewelry. After lunch, while the daughters make a second exciting hands-on science project, the mothers will break off to share ideas and resources on ways to encourage our daughters in science.
 

Morning snack is provided. Please bring a dish to share for a potluck lunch.

Space is limited - register early!

 
Location:
Lake Merritt United Methodist Church
1255 First Avenue
Oakland

Date:

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Hours:

10:00 am - 2:30 pm

Cost:

$85 for two (parent/child)

 

 
         You meet the best bugs at-
 Bug of the 
   Month Club
 

"Calling all Bugsters!"
(Ages 4 - 12)

In monthly classes, children explore the bizarre and fascinating world of insects. Each class features a different insect, its habitat and its unique role in our world.

MANTIS MANIA EXTRAVAGANZA!
 
 
 

Two exciting classes in one! Learn the life cycle and natural history of this most fascinating insect and raise your own pet praying mantis. From breeding drosophila (baby mantis food) to watching mantids emerge from their egg cases-experience nature's wonders up close.

 

You will take home:

  • two vials of drosophila
  • growing medium
  • fruit fly booklets
  • two praying mantis egg cases (50-500 baby mantids will emerge)
  • two hatchery containers
  • praying mantis booklet
 
 
 
 
Date:
Saturday, April 26
Time: 10 am -12 pm or
1 pm - 3 pm
(same class repeated twice)
Where:
Lake Merritt United Methodist
1255 First Avenue, Oakland (Directions)
Fee: $65.00 (includes all materials and a snack)

 
 
To Register for Mantis Mania, call (510) 581-3739

Mark your calendars for the upcoming
Bug Safari
on Saturday, May 3, 2008
at Sunol Regional Wilderness
 

For more information, call (510) 581-3739
or visit our website
at www.sarahscience.com
.

 
 Mantis Mania Memories
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            
 
 
 
21525 Knoll Way, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Phone: (510) 581-3739      Fax: (510) 581-6144