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miSci Newsletter

 

July / August 2015

 

 

Our Mission: To inspire people to celebrate and explore science and technology, past, present and future.

 

 


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The Blue Whale
 
Thurs., Aug. 13,
Fri., Aug. 14
&
Sat., Aug. 15    
9:30AM & 11AM

 

Sign up online  or
call 382-7890 x 237
to register.
 

Sponsored in part by 

Charles L. Touhey Foundation

GE
 
Planetarium Shows

We Choose Space 012015

NEW!
Shows
DAILY
in our renovated planetarium
 
through
September 7. 
 
 Dudley Night Sky Adventure

Perseid Meteor Shower NASA


Perseid Meteor Shower


Water Table
Science Zone: Water  

Sat. & Sun.
1 - 2:30 

August 1 & 2
Dry Ice vs. Regular Ice

August 8 & 9
Float or Sink...What Do You Think?

August 15 & 16
Water Cycle Wristband

August 22 & 23
Cool It or Pool It

August 29 & 30
Racedrop Raceway


Saturday Science Zone Activities sponsored by
National Grid




















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Mac Sudduth NOV2012
From the President

Here, There & Everywhere 
miSci Takes Science on the Road 
 

miSci is on the move this summer - bringing science to the region! A series of local and national grants is allowing us to provide miSci educators and our high-quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) programming to people throughout the region. At miSci, we bring the region to the science center and we also bring science to the region.

 

Instructors from miSci and Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) 

Aerospace Institute for Teens 2015
Aerospace Institute for Teens students explore properties of a vacuum chamber at the
SUNY Adirondack-Wilton session.
have teamed up to teach the Greater Capital Region Workforce Investment Board-funded Aerospace Institute for Teens to youth from 11 counties: Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington. Teens participated in 4-day institutes at 4 different locations: miSci; SUNY Adirondack - Wilton; Fulton-Montgomery Community College; and Columbia-Greene Community College. The teens got paid to hone their STEM and workplace skills through units on a variety of topics such as astronomy (including a planetarium show at miSci or in the Starlab portable planetarium at other sites), flight simulation, rocketry and water and solid fuel rocket launches.

 

Aerospace Institute for Teens 2015
An Aerospace Institute for Teens student on the flight simulator during the session held at miSci.
 

This year we are honored that miSci was chosen as one of only 12 new sites in the nation to host GSK Science in the Summer™ and bring summer programs to the

GSK Science in the Summer Boy and Girls Club Rotterdam 2015
GSK Science in the Summer with miSci at the Rotterdam Boys and Girls Club
capital region with specially trained miSci educators delivering a hands-on chemistry curriculum. We thank GSK and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for the opportunity to provide high-quality, engaging STEM programs for area youth. This summer will bring Science in the Summer to students at the Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady in Rotterdam and at Camp Love Joy; Girls Incorporated in Albany and Schenectady; the Schenectady Jewish Community Center; and the Schenectady County Public Library main branch and Duane, Glenville, Mont Pleasant, Niskayuna, Quaker and Rotterdam branches. Young scientists throughout the region are learning what matter is and that it is not always the same. They are observing physical and chemical changes with fun experiments like turning pennies golden, making crystals, and watching popcorn "dance." Students are also deciding if substances are acids, bases, or neutrals by using litmus and pH papers and a universal indicator.

 

GSK Science in the Summer Glenville Library 2015
GSK Science in the Summer with miSci at the Schenectady County Public Library Glenville Branch

 

In addition to offering the off-site Aerospace Institute for Teens and GSK Science in the Summer programs, we are also at area libraries with the Institute of Museum IMLS logo and Library Services (IMLS) grant-funded miSci @ my library programs. While  

this program is available year-round, it is very popular this summer: 46 libraries have booked 92 programs from June 25 through September 7. miSci @ my library is a series of outreach programs about engineering, astronomy and other science topics for youth and their families at area libraries. This programt allows libraries who are members of the Mohawk Valley Library System (MVLS) to enjoy the following in 2015, 2016 and 2017: 3 hands-on program outreaches for youth and their families, 1 Starlab portable planetarium outreach, and table top STEM exhibits. Non-MVLS libraries can book the programs at the regular outreach rate.

 

Best wishes for a happy and safe summer. We look forward to seeing you at miSci and at our Aerospace Institute for Teens, GSK Science in the Summer, and miSci @ my library programs throughout the region.

 

And if you travel this summer don't forget to take your miSci membership card to get into over 300 science museums in North America.  The list of museums that miSci membership will get you into is found here.  

 

 

Dr. William "Mac" Sudduth 
President, miSci  

PS - Stay in touch! If you haven't already, please like us on Facebook  (miSci - Museum of Innovation and Science, Schenectady) and follow us on Twitter (@miSciNY).
92-year-old Bertha Kotlow Donates Lifetime Collection of Rocks & Minerals to miSci

 

Ninety-two-year-old Slingerlands resident Bertha Kotlow has donated her lifetime collection of 2,500 minerals and 600 vials of sand to miSci, allowing generations to come to discover her precious specimens and share the enjoyment of what she refers to as "Earth's treasures." A small sample of the collection was recently installed as part of miSci's new exhibit, EARTH EXPOSED: Discover Our Planet's Hidden Secrets and additional minerals complement miSci's existing New York State mineral collection, which is also currently on display.

 

"The rocks and minerals have been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I can't remember when I didn't have them," Kotlow said of her passion. "I've loved and enjoyed them my whole life, and now I am glad that others will have the chance to enjoy them, too." Read more. 

 

Bertha Kotlow 071715
Bertha Kotlow and miSci VP of Collections & Exhibitions Chris Hunter look at part of her rock and mineral collection currently on display.
Summer @ Challenger Learning Center

 

Explore the Challenger Learning Center this summer! In addition to bringing your group for a mission, enjoy one or all of these summer events:  

 

Challenger Community Mission | Thurs. Aug 20 | 6:30-9pm  

Join a mission without a group! Be part of a team of scientists performing tasks in Mission Control and on the Spacecraft. Reservations & pre-payment are required. Please call 518-382-7890 x 237. 

 

$20/person | Ages 10 - adult  | 20 participant minimum necessary

 

Challenger MAY2015 
Challenger Adventures | Saturdays & Sundays | 2-3pm

 

Join other museum visitors to see what it's like to do experiments in space and take home a special souvenir from your experience.To guarantee a spot, purchase tickets in advance at 518-382-7890 x 237; or purchase tickets when you arrive at miSci (if space is available).   

 

Children (3 -12, accompanied by adult) museum admission + $5;
Seniors (65+) museum admission + $8; Adults (13+) museum admission + $10

 

 

Crater Kids | August 4 - 7
Flight Specialists | August 10 - 14
Comet Mystery | August 17 - 21
Earth's Fury | August 24 -28

 

Challenger Class 2015

 

What are your children doing in August? Due to popular demand, we've just added another section of our Lego Robotics Summer Class for kids entering 3rd through 6th grade: Monday - Friday, August 10 - 14. There are also still some slots in our full-day, week-long classes for kids entering kindergarten through twelfth grade packed with hands-on fun and taught by miSci educators. Classes run 8:30am - 5pm and are $220 per class; $250 per Space Academy Class presented by Time Warner Cable. Before & After care is available. Registration and pre-payment are required.

 

Call 518-382-7890 x 237 to register or register online through Proctors' website.  

   

Lego Robotics Summer class 2015

The Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region, Schenectady ARC, and miSci are partnering to offer Sense-Able Science, a sensory friendly science center experience for those with autism and other sensory needs, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. the last Sunday of each month. The first Sense-Able Science Sunday was June 28.


Staff at miSci have received training by the Autism Society, enabling them to be prepared for this special group of visitors. Visual support will be available at the museum to help participants enjoy the exhibits, and social narratives are available on the miSci website to help families be prepared for their miSci experience. A separate space with bean bags and quiet activities will be available for anyone needing a sensory break. Ear plugs will also be available to help with noise stimulation.

 

Additional support for Sense-Able Science is provided by Price Chopper's Golub Foundation and Stewart's Shops. Read more.

 

 

 miSci
Thank You, Volunteers! 

On June 26, miSci held its annual Volunteer Reception to thank all of the wonderful people who generously give their time and talent to miSci. We enjoyed dinner, a slide show celebrating our year of accomplishments, a rousing game of miSci Jeopardy, and cake! From May 2014 to June 2015, miSci welcomed 426 volunteers who performed 6,106 hours of service. 

 

 
Volunteers 2015

Blue Star Museums Program at miSci through Labor Day 

Blue Star MuseumsmiSci is participating again in the Blue Star Museum Program and extends free general museum admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2015. 

 

"miSci is pleased to participate in the Blue Star Museums program again this summer. We're proud to provide this well-deserved recognition for our country's service members. " said miSci President Mac Sudduth.  Read more. 

miSci President Judges Lego Competition at Saratoga County Fair

 

miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth served as one of four judges at this year's Saratoga County Fair Lego Competition. Original constructions of scenes from the Fair were entered by children in two age groups as well as a Family category.      

Saratoga Fair Lego Judging 2015

 
Since October of 2014 Teen Science Cafe at miSci has hosted 7 cafes with local professionals presenting on topics such as genetics, space exploration, robotics, lasers, and medical nanotechnology. An average of 14 teens attended each cafe. Teen Science Cafe also hosted its first summer Ice Cream Social in mid-July to spread the word about Teen Science Cafe and to explore 3D printing; the teens can printed 3D objects to take home.

Interested in Teen Science Cafe? Please contact Danette Carll at [email protected] or 518-382-7890 x 253.

Teen Science Cafe Colborn JAN2015
Dr. Robert Colburn discusses medical nanotechnology with teens during a Teen Science Cafe at miSc in January 2015. 
National Grid Visit EARTH EXPOSED      

National Grid 2015
National Grid regional executive William Flaherty and Manager of Community and Customer Service M
anagement Thomas Wind visited miSci to explore the new EARTH EXPOSED: Discover Our Planet's Hidden Secrets earlier this month. Through a five-year partnership with miSci, National Grid provided generous partial sponsorship for this traveling exhibit from San Francisco's Exploratorium in addition to partial sponsorship for the three previous Exploratorium exhibits at miSci and another Exploratorium exhibit in 2016-2017. 
Thank you Girl Scouts & Union Students! 

Girl Scout Troop 1209
Girl Scouts from Troop 1209 take a break from weeding the circle garden in miSci's parking lot in early July.

Union College Volunteers 2015
Union College student volunteers painted the stairway walls from miSci's main floor down to our classrooms on the lower level. We appreciate this hard work -- completed just in time for our Summer Science Classes!
Congrats Time Warner Cable!

On June 4, Time Warner Cable - Schenectady received a Beacon Award in the Community Relations category at the annual Association of Cable Communicators event for their participation in the 2014 Science Festival of the Capital Region at miSci. At the Festival, TWC volunteers kept things swirling with 2 stations: make-and-take tornado in a bottle activity and a weather studio map where visitors could be a meteorologist for the day. This award honors excellence in public affairs and communications throughout the cable industry.    
Science Festival Time Warner Cable 2014
TWC volunteers help Science Festival visitors make tornadoes in a bottle.
Chinese Friendship Cross Country Bicycle Tour Group Visits miSci   
  
miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth with the Chinese cyclists as they leave miSci in early June.
A team of Chinese cyclists on a friendship tour of the United States visited the Challenger Learning Center and exhibits at miSci June 8 during their stopover day in Schenectady. Earlier in June they started their trek from Plymouth, MA and will conclude their trip in late summer / early fall in San Bernadino, CA after following the Erie Canal and Route 66. Their plans include visiting cities and universities and various communities along the way to give them a true feeling of the diversity of the United States. In a previous bicycle trip (Jan-Mar 2011), a team, such as this, led by Jin Feibao and Jesse Millett, visited 9 southeast Asia countries bringing letters of friendship.

Chinese Bike Tour 061815
Chinese cyclists in the Challenger Learning Center spacecraft.