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Summer
2004
CONTENTS
1- TRANSIT OF VENUS
2- IRON SCIENCE TEACHER: AN OFFBEAT
SCIENCE COMPETITION FOR TEACHERS
3- TINKERING! CABARET MECHANICAL
THEATRE
4- MICROSCOPE IMAGING STATION
5- FEATURED PATHWAY: MAGNETISM
6- EXPLORATORIUM GARNERS FIFTH WEBBY
AWARD
7- TREASURES FROM K-12 INSTRUCTIONAL
MEDIA CENTER: MARINE WORLDS
1-** TRANSIT OF VENUS
<http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/index.html>
See the Webcast and online resources
for the rarest of all eclipses.
On June 8, 2004, Venus moved across
the sun, an astronomical event that
last occurred in 1882! Our own Linda
Shore reported live from Greece
during the first and second contacts.
Paul Doherty was the host at the
museum, where he discussed the transit
as well as celestial mechanics.
Eric Muller and Tory Brady assisted
Paul with various activities, such
as the "Walkaround Orrery."
Intrigued to learn more? Check out
Paul's Web site at <http://www.exo.net/~pauld/activities/astronomy/transitvenus/venustransit2004.htm>
or the Transit of Venus Web site
at <http://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/index.html>
2-***
IRON SCIENCE TEACHER: AN OFFBEAT
SCIENCE COMPETITION FOR TEACHERS
<http://www.exploratorium.edu/iron_science/>
Zany teachers. Odd ingredients.
Our summer blockbuster is back!
Iron Science Teacher is a wacky,
science experiment cook-off, where
teachers compete live at the Exploratorium
and are simultaneously Webcast around
the world. Science teachers have
ten minutes to concoct a science
activity that can be used in the
classroom. In a fast-paced atmosphere
before a live audience, where showmanship
and creativity reign, as many as
fifteen teachers will compete for
the title of "Iron Science
Teacher" on the following Fridays:
July 2, 9, 16, 23, and August 16
and 13, from 12:00 noon to 1:00
p.m. PDT. If you miss a live Webcast,
you'll still be able to see it (and
others) in the Webcast archives.
3-***
TINKERING! CABARET MECHANICAL THEATRE
<http://www.exploratorium.edu/pr/documents/04-7Tinkering!.html>
July 2 through October 3
Don't miss the US premiere of a
humorous, whimsical exhibition of
hand-carved, moving sculptures made
alive through the aid of hand cranks,
pulleys, and gears. Cabaret Mechanical
Theatre's unique collections are
part machine, part theater. Like
actors on a stage, these automata
"perform" scenes that
are delightful and humorous. Developed
in the UK, their wooden, folk art-style
craftsmanship, their lifelike gestures,
and their mechanical, exposed underpinnings
are compelling. To enjoy the virtual
exhibition, go to <http://www.cabaret.co.uk/vrexs.htm>
4-*** MICROSCOPE IMAGING STATION
<http://www.exploratorium.edu/imaging_station/index.html>
The Exploratorium is currently developing
a Microscope Imaging Station that
gives visitors a unique opportunity
to control research-grade microscopes
and view stunning images of biological
processes. This facility uses the
highest-quality optics and current
microscopy techniques, including
biological staining and time-lapse
recording. The Station provides
access to a broad variety of living
specimens fundamental to developmental
and cell biology and health-related
research. Once fully operational,
this facility will also provide
online access to the Station's video
imagery, but you can take a look
online now at the development of
a sea urchin, a frog, and zebrafish.
5-*** FEATURED PATHWAY: MAGNETISM
<http://www.exploratorium.edu/pathways/guided/magnets_teacher.html>
There's something almost magical
about a magnet. A magnet creates
a magnetic field that pushes and
pulls through thin air, acting with
a strong invisible power. Though
magnetic fields are invisible, you
can see their effect on iron filings,
compass needles, and other magnets.
Pathways are collections of support
and assessment materials for teachers
who bring their students to the
Exploratorium. However, the principles
in the Pathways can also be used
with our Online Snacks, scaled-down
versions of our museum exhibits:
<http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/>.
See the Snacks on magnetism at <http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/iconmagnetism.html>.
Each Pathway has two versions: one
for teachers and one for students.
The teacher version includes links
to state science standards and provides
additional support materials, as
well as sample answers to the worksheet
questions.
6-
***EXPLORATORIUM GARNERS FIFTH WEBBY AWARD
<http://www.webbyawards.com/main/webby_awards/winner_list.html>
The Exploratorium received the "Best
Science Website" honor at the
eighth annual Webby Awards. This
is the Exploratorium's fifth Webby,
four in science and one in education,
since the Webby Awards were founded
in 1997 to recognize the best of
the World Wide Web. With over twenty
million visitors a year, the museum's
Web site is as fun and thought-provoking
as a trip to the Exploratorium itself.
7-***
TREASURES FROM K-12 INSTRUCTIONAL
MEDIA CENTER: MARINE WORLDS
<http://www.k12imc.org/pg1142.cfm>
World famous institutions such as
the Scripps Institute of Oceanography,
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Woods
Hole, and others provide landlubbers
with the opportunity to visit the
world of life beneath our oceans,
without getting wet. Lesson plans,
activities, images, and more will
bring the ocean into your classroom.
___________________
Visit
our Membership web page at<http://www.exploratorium.edu/membership/index.html>
for more details about the great
benefits of becoming an Educator
or Family/Educator Member. Questions?
E-mail us at member@exploratorium.edu
or call 415-561-0302.
___________________
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