Mid-America Science Museum, Hot Springs
“That’s Science”
March 7, 2009 (2-4 p.m.)
RSVP by February 20th to info@midamericamuseum.org to guarantee your spot.
Kids' Quest members and their families are invited the Mid-America Science Museum to enjoy “Science Circus”. This fun-filled family event features Rhys Thomas’ Circus acts where kids of all sizes learn about Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. Compete in our “Plastic Bag” juggling contest and visit the “Engineer It” exhibit where you can build bridges and test them for strength; design boats and test them for speed; and test your own windmills and paper planes in our wind tunnels.
For more information, go to www.midamericamuseum.org 
 

Museum of Discovery, Little Rock
Kids’ Quest Party - This Little Piggy Went to Market
March 28, 2009 1:30-3:30 
Calling all Kids’ Quest Members! Bring your family to the Museum of Discovery’s Kids Quest party to see a theater production of This Little Piggy Went to Market.  Come early for snacks and Farm Friends crafts, then gather in the Discovery Court for this family-friendly production. Must be a Kids Quest member to attend.

University of Arkansas Center for Math & Science Education
"Everyone Needs More Space"
April 2 from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Kid's Quest Party at the Center for Math & Science Education. Are you crowded? Do you need more space? Join the KidsQuest group as we explore the planets, the Sun and other celestial spheres. Loads of ‘out of this world’ activities and far out fun! For more info, download the flyer (pdf).

Each museum in the network is developing a new exhibit that will be opening in 2009. Backyard Science will be coming to the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock. Enter our "backyard" and explore the science! You will discover a large, diverse population of living things within different habitats and ecosystems, all of which can be found in a real-life backyard. Experiment with scientific processes and learn about the sky, rainbows, weather, geology, patterns in nature, latitude, and more!

Here's an activity you can do in your own backyard!

Energy from the Sun
Materials:
    1.2 used cans with the labels removed
    2.White water-based paint
    3.Black water-based paint
    4.Brushes
    5.Thermometer

Directions: Paint the outside of the cans—one with white paint, one with black paint. Fill each can with the same amount of water (use a measuring cup) from the faucet. Place the cans on a sunny window ledge or in the sun somewhere. Let them sit for about three hours. Now take the temperature of the water in each can. Which can has the warmest water?  Why is this so?

The can with the black paint has the warmest water. The sun provides us with energy made up of light and heat.  We call this Solar Energy. While solar energy heats the water in each can, the white paint reflects some of the energy away. The black can absorbs and retains more energy than the white can, resulting in warmer water.

Solar energy accounts for most of the renewable energy available on Earth. It is responsible for the growth of the grass and trees in your backyard, and contributes to the life of all the bugs and other animals that live there.

Reveal the secrets of this ancient tomb at the Arkansas State University Museum beginning Saturday, March 14th with the opening of The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion.  Enter the world of Palenque, Mexico, and follow clues the team left behind when the archaeological team disappeared!  The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion was developed by The Arkansas Discovery Network specifically for Arkansas and the network’s partner museums. This exhibit uses the mystery and intrigue of the Mayan empire to explore math, science, and history in a unique and interesting way sure to capture the attention of all who visit.

Tuesday – Friday; 9 – 4; Saturday – Sunday; 1 – 5

http://museum.astate.edu or 870-972-2074

The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion will be at the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover until March 8. The students pictured above are from Washington Middle School in the El Dorado School District. To see more photos and videos of The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion, check out our collection on Flickr!

Museum of Discovery, Little Rock
March 28, 2009 1:30-3:30  Kids’ Quest Party. Crafts, snacks, and a theatre production of This Little Piggy Went to Market.  Must be a Kids Quest member to attend.

March 14, 2009 1:00-4:00 Saturday Discoveries:  The Science of Theater. Grades K-6. $20 per student.
 
March 26-28 This Little Piggy Went to Market. 10am and 1pm on March 26 and 27; 12pm and 3pm March 28. Included with Museum admission.
 
April 4 10:00-4:00  Nanodays!  What is nanotechnology and how is it used today? Program and activities included with Museum admission.

To see what else is going on at our partner sites across the state, see our Events page.

The Arkansas Discovery Network would like to keep you informed about everything going on in the Network, including where we've been and our plans for the future. If you'd like to keep informed on the more "grown-up" side of what we're doing, you can sign up for our monthly Grown-Up E-Newsletter. If you'd like to see some of our past Grown-Up E-Newsletters, go to http://www.arkansasdiscoverynetwork.org/grown-ups/newsletter.html.