Thanks to the Neilson Foundation, HSC staff can offer four different week-long special programs and an Eco-Explorer program this summer in addition to continuing Science Club, Tots 'n' Science, and Discovery Science.
For more information or to register, call 218-444-4472 or come in to the Science Center. There are scholarships for qualified persons: please pick up an application form at the Center.
Offerings
Bird Watching: (3rd – 8th grade) Maximum class size 16 people.
Bird watching will meet from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, June 13th – 17th. Sessions will take place at the Science Center, Lake Bemidji State Park, and perhaps other outdoor sites.
Get outside, enjoy nature, and learn about birds and how to identify them. We will spend much of our time outside looking for and identifying birds. We will explore a variety of habitats and discuss what we are likely to see in those areas. This class will cover binocular use, field guides, identification tips, how to start a life list, as well as a few fun projects to attract birds to your own backyard.
Cost: $125.00
Eco-Explorers: This program is especially suitable for intergenerational pairs and 2-person adult mentor-youth (4th grade and up) teams, although individuals can also apply. Maximum enrollment of 12 2-person teams, or 25 people.
Explorers will meet ten times throughout the summer between June 17th and August 26th on Tuesdays. Explorers will meet at the Science Center at 10:00 am. Most sessions will take place on the Mississippi shoreline between the History Center and the bridge. We will be back at the Science Center by 4:00 pm.
Activities will include journaling, ecology games, collection techniques, story telling using displays, butterfly tagging, and several make-and-take-home projects such as a nature journal, plant press, pinning board and bird feeder. Skills addressed will include nature record keeping, species identification, transect sampling, river sampling and display development. The camp will terminate with an informal project presentation and picnic for all participants and their families.
Individual member: $125.00
Individual non-member: $140.00
A 2-person intergenerational or mentoring team: $175.00
Nature Photography: (3rd – 8th grade) Maximum class size 16 people.
The photography class will meet from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, August 1st to August 5th. Classes will be held at the Science Center, Lake Bemidji State Park, and perhaps other outdoor sites.
Come and have some fun with photography. Go on a scavenger hunt and learn how to see the world through the eye of the camera. Cameras will be provided for you to use during the week. You will learn some basic camera operations and guidelines for taking great photographs. We’ll discuss lighting, composition, close-ups, and creativity. We will be outside part of each day practicing specific skills and techniques. This class will end on Friday with a showcase of the students' work.
Cost: $125.00
Tech Camp I: (ages 8-14) Maximum class size 16
Camp will take place between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm August 1st – August 5th at the Science Center. This is an introductory robotics class utilizing the LEGO Mindstorms kits.
Learn the basic principles of mechanics, electricity and robotics in this hands-on program, that will include reverse engineering (take-apart), electronics, sensors, motor and servo control, programming and control techniques, as well as robotics applications in today’s society. Have a great time building, battling and manipulating bots this summer with others who share your interests.
Members: $95.00
Non-members $125.00
Tech Camp II: (ages 10 – 17, Tech Camp I graduates welcome) Maximum class size 16
Camp will take place between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm August 8th – August 12th at the Science Center. This is an intermediate robotics class utilizing Aquatic Remote Operated Vehicles. Challenge yourself to think critically; work with others to solve problems and share ideas. Expand your knowledge of robotics as you design and build Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV’s) as submersible diving robots. Launch them in Lake Bemidji and have a liquidy look beneath the surface with an underwater camera.
Members: $115.00
Non-members: $145.00
Continuation of Regular HSC Programs
Summer Science Club: (for ages 8-13)
Beginning June 9th, Science Club will meet 8 times throughout June and July from 2:00 to 4:00 on Thursday afternoons. Activities will cover a wide range of science topics.
Members: any 4 sessions for $38.00; all 8 sessions for $70.00.
Non-members: any 4 sessions for $42; all 8 sessions for $78.00.
If there is space (call to find out), each individual session costs $12 for members and non-members .
Discovery Science: (for ages 6-8)
Beginning June 8th, Discovery Science will meet throughout the summer at the Science Center from 1:00 – 2:00 on Wednesday afternoons. Activities will cover a wide range of natural and physical science topics. Sessions will include stories, hands-on activities and games to help children learn about the world around them. Advance registration is appreciated.
Cost is $3.00 per child. Non-members will also be charged admission price if participants wish to go on the exhibit floor before or after the program.
Tots 'n' Science: (for ages 3-6, must be accompanied by an adult)
Beginning June 8th, the Tots program will meet throughout the summer from 10:00 – 11:00 on Wednesday mornings at the Science Center. Sessions will cover a wide range of natural and physical science topics featuring stories, hands-on activities and games to help children learn about the world around them. Advance registration is appreciated.
Price is $3.00 per child. Non-members will also be charged admission price if participants wish to go on the exhibit floor before or after the program.
