WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2004
EDUCATION
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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5
Workshop offers hands-on science
The free workshop offers open exhibits on species survival
By Erik Johnson ejohnson@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
School's still out but science is definitely in at the Dyche Natural History Museum.
This week, visitors are taking part in a free gallery workshop exploring the science behind species survival in extreme conditions.
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansan
Survival Science, which runs July 26 to 31, is the second series in a new program at Dyche Hall that offers free workshops for kids who otherwise may not have the chance to enjoy the museum's services. Visitors participate in various challenges, explore the science of survival with hands-on activities and even create their own creature able to survive in the most extreme conditions.
"Since we started this we've been finding a lot of people that either couldn't afford this in the past or simply didn't know about the free events," said gallery director Jason Wolvington.
The first of the free events, held during spring break in March, was Superhero Science, where visitors made each other invisible with mirror tricks, gave themselves supersonic hearing or even floated on air. Superhero Science drew around 1,700 visitors, and directors estimated Survival Science would draw about the same.
Hands-on activities for survival include building a mini raft from popsicle sticks and straws, a marshmallow tower contest where participants attempt to make the largest tower of marshmallows, dry spaghetti that then must hold the weight of a golf ball and an electricity demonstration with lemons and potatoes.
"I would have never thought a potato could make a light work," said Matt Duerksen, 8-year-old Lawrence resident. "That was cool."
Nature's Worst Case Scenario tells young visitors of unique adaptations animals make to stay safe in their environments.
The leaf-roller caterpillars, for example, keep their homes clean by squeezing the muscles in their backsides and firing excrement out and away, thereby avoiding unwanted smells that would attract predators.
A Survival Strategy Trail had kids searching for 10 animals that have
Kennedy Dold, 7, watches as Jean Younger helps her make a tower out of spaghetti and marshmallows at "Survival Science" in Dyche Natural History Museum. The free event offered hands-on science activities for kids.
unique strategies for surviving in harsh environments.
When finished, they can take their list to the Extreme Animal Studio to claim a prize.
"I hope it's money," said Aaron Wilkerson, 11-year-old Leavenworth resident. "I doubt it is, but that would be cool."
In the Extreme Animal Studio, once they've claimed their choice of prizes between a flashlight or a compass/caribiner, kids are encouraged to design their own extreme animal capable of surviving any conditions.
"We're trying to get them to create something that may be better suited for survival than a real animal," said Derek Larsen, exhibit assistant. "But some of them are just obsessed with a snake or something, so they draw that."
Director of educational programs at the museum, Teresa MacDonald, said free exhibits such as this were a chance for kids to see the connections all the sciences had with each other, and for parents and kids to enjoy the learning experience together.
"The free exhibits are much more open and flexible, which is great," she said. We're trying to promote family learning by offering something for everyone to participate in."
- Edited by Abby Tillery
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