Sarah's Science Header
Sarah Says
Connecting kids to nature...and making science fun!
December 2008
Space Still Available!
Maze
Inventors' Workshop Winter Camp
 __________________
  
 
 
Best of the East Bay
 

Shop at Amazon.com and support Sarah's Science scholarship program. 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 our programs. Thank you.

 
Greetings!

Sarah's Picture   Here we are again - with the holidays rapidly approaching and gifts to buy (although maybe you don't wait until the last minute like me). To make matter worse this year many of us are worried about finances in these crazy times.  I have lots of gift ideas that don't cost much and that will inspire your kids and you to get outdoors and spend fun times together. 
          Outdoor Adventure Ticket
How about giving an experience!  Create a ticket good for an outdoor adventure.  We are fortunate here in the Bay Area to have so many magnificent natural parks (check out East Bay Regional Park District).  Now I know that kids (and some of us adults) have trouble delaying our gratification, so you might want to give something to go with the ticket.  It's fun to have something you're really looking for on your trip outdoors.  So how about giving a book that might start a new hobby (like entomology or animal tracking or fern finding)?  Following are some of my favorite books which are small enough to carry along with you on a hike:


Animal Tracks                  
  Animal Tracks of Northern California by Ian Sheldon
 

When you get hooked on animal tracking you are going to want to get:Mammal Tracking
                           

 A Field  Guide to Mammal Tracking in North America by James Halfpenny
  Caterpillars
                  



Caterpillars, Peterson First Guides by Amy Bartlett WrightDragonflies of California
 
                  





Common Dragonflies of California by Kathy Biggs
 
Fern Finder

Pacific Coast Fern Finder by Glenn Keator & Ruth M. Heady
                            
There is an entire series of these Pacific Coast Finders, including trees, birds, mammals and intertidal life.
  Wilderness Survival Cards


Wilderness Survival Skills Knowledge Cards by the Sierra Club

Reptiles of the Northwest
                                     


Reptiles of the Northwest by Alan St. John

This book is bigger in size but it's a must for lizard and snake lovers.
 
Student Net

If your child is a bug lover, there are other inexpensive gifts to help with their bug hunts. 
 
Insect Net (they sell an excellent student net at Bioquip)
                  
Kritter Keeper




Containers to use as temporary homes for insects, such as Kritter Keepers, from the East Bay Vivarium.


 I wish you and your family happy holidays and a joyous New Year.

        Sincerely,
Sarah
Winter Camp: Inventors Workshop
 Marble Maze
     
   This winter at Inventor's Workshop the theme is Games Galore. Each of the fun games we create are designed to teach important science concepts. Our cool inventions will teach kids the basics of energy, force and motion; how electricity, magnetism and gravity work; and about mechanics and simple machines. Our projects are designed to inspire imagination, the source of all invention!
  In addition to creating cool contraptions and games, we'll do fun and creative art projects, play outdoors
and watch science movies.
 
Oakland: Lake Merritt United Methodist Church
Berkeley: Black Pine Circle School
 Dates:      Monday - Tuesday: December 22-23
Friday: December 26
Monday - Wednesday: December 29-31
Friday: January 2
San Ramon Community Center
Dates: Monday - Tuesday: December 22-23

For all Locations:
Hours: 8:00am - 5:30pm
Cost: $105 per day, $90 if you register for 5 or more
          days.

j- Readers' Choice

Voted among the best!

We are very pleased to announce that we were recognized as one of the best secular day camps in the East Bay by the Readers' Choice Awards of j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California. 
 
 
21525 Knoll Way, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Phone: (510) 581-3739      Fax: (510) 581-6144
 
©2008 Sarah's Science. All Rights Reserved.