Robotics at HSC Is On a Roll!

Another First Lego League (FLL) season is underway for 4th - 9th graders. In this project, our three teams meet every Thursday, and many other days too, after school for 7 weeks at Headwaters Science Center where we work in collaboration with Beltrami County 4H’s Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) program.
 Our young engineers design, build, and program robots with sensor-stimulated artificial intelligence that independently maneuver about a standardized competition board, completing a variety of tasks, with “Nature’s Fury” as our unifying theme this year. At the tournament, the teams also present accompanying project reports, skits, and demonstrations that identify natural disasters; then they propose technological solutions to these problems. We have three regional tournament bids this year at Northome, MN on December 7, 2013. If any of our teams advance, they will compete in the FLL State Robotic Tournament on February 8, 2014 in St. Paul, MN.


This competition is an amazing example of how kids can grow in ways we expect, but also in ways and manners beyond how we might imagine they would. They learn that, in order to bring their robots to championship status, they need teamwork and time-management skills in addition to abilities in mechanical design and computer programming.


This high-profile project brings HSC a good deal of recognition in the community. Look for us at the “ROBO SHACK” this summer at the Beltrami County Fair where we will feature these and other technological achievements of our young engineers. Past participants have formed a permanent club and are continuing to meet the first Thursday of every month at HSC; that group is currently designing and building a large underwater robot that seeks out and records the presence of aquatic invasives and has the ability to capture water and sediment core samples.

Paul Bunyan Communications is and has been our major sponsor, supporting us in equipment acquisition (these robots and their peripherals are not cheap) and paying our tournament entry fees along with other associated costs. This project would not be possible without the volunteer efforts of parents and coaches. Thanks a bunch! It’s a tall task (and a rewarding one) to turn 20-25 squirrelly kids into focused winning teams. If you would like to help us out this season or in the future, or have a child in grades 4-9 who shows a real interest in technology, especially computers and robotic engineering, contact James Owens at 444-4472.

Remembering Dusty

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We were sad to announce the passing of Dusty our Chinchilla. She was very old and had a wonderful life as one of the HSC animals. May she always have a dust bath to roll in, a gentle hand to scratch behind the ears, and a bowl of raisins.

Here’s a thought. On Giving Tuesday December 3rd, make a donation to Headwaters Science Center and dedicate your donation to “Dusty” the late Chinchilla. There is a place on the donation form to do this. HSC will designate your donation to improve and maintain the live animal exhibits. 

Giving Tuesday is a national day for giving back. What a great way to “give back” the 16 years of joy  and wonderment that Dusty gave to all the kids and adults at HSC.

Donate Here

Some comments from Facebook:

• Susan Hazard So sad to hear of Dusty's passing.

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 5:55pm
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  John Mathisen She was one of the most pleasant animals on Earth. I bet there are some tears at HSC today.

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 5:25pm
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  Peggy Ann Gantner Nygaard Julie Kingsley picked her up in Rochester, for my boys in about 1996 or 1997. There will never be another one like her.

  Like · Reply · November 27 at 12:24am via mobile
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  Jay Lehman That was one old chinchilla

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 9:53pm via mobile
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  Peggy Ann Gantner Nygaard Pikachu was so sweet, and as I told her every day, "the cutest girl in the world". I'll miss you, my little bar biter:(

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 9:42pm via mobile
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  Susie Rodenkirchen Walker 

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 5:07pm via mobile
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  Teresa Galloway We will miss her. She was such a gentle one.

  Like · Reply · November 27 at 9:10pm
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  Jaime Owens Rest in peace sweet chinchilla friend.

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 7:15pm
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  Jaime Thibodeaux Awe ... So fun to chase when she escaped...

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 6:40pm via mobile
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  Joanna Johnson 

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 6:15pm via mobile
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  Corey Milligan Oh, no! Maple 7 will dearly miss her.

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 5:48pm via mobile
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  Cyndy Grimm Sad...

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 5:05pm
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  Lainie Hiller Oh that's definitely sad

  Like · Reply · November 26 at 5:27pm via mob

#GivingTuesday on December 3rd - please be there for HSC

We are there! Please consider a donation on December 3rd

#GivingTuesday

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Live Streaming December 2013

                            Full STE(A)M Ahead 

Current Happenings by Susan Joy 

Susan Joy

Season’s greetings to all HSC members, supporters, volunteers, staff, and board! I’d like to use this space to thank all of you for your commitment to supporting high-quality, informal Science, Technology, Engineering, (Art) and Math (STE(A)M) in Northwestern Minnesota! HSC is invested in, and committed to, the people of Bemidji and the surrounding region because of the support we receive locally.

Donors are critical to supporting our mission, as we are a not-for-profit organization and receive no operating support from Federal, State, or Local governments, nor do we receive support from a national or regional science museum organization. We are supported locally by individuals who choose to support our mission through annual giving, businesses who provide sponsorships for various activities, and our loyal visitors and members.

Individuals who choose to make a gift to HSC make a difference in the lives of the 13,000 school children who participate in an HSC activity either at their school or on our exhibit floor. 100% of donations made to HSC stay right here to support our organization. There are lots of different ways to support HSC. We have openings on our board of directors for individuals who are willing to donate 10 hours per month to supporting our mission through governance. Friends of Headwaters Science Center, a new group of volunteer ambassadors, also seeks new members to help with HSC events and outreach. If you don’t have time to commit to a volunteer position, we always welcome the donation of an item from the wish list that is posted on our website.

Did you know that the best way to support HSC doubles as the perfect family gift? That’s right! A $65 family or grandparent membership supports the programs and activities that we do every day and gives
you FREE admission to our exhibit floor for a year, a 10% savings on merchandise in the HSC Science Store, and discounts on summer camps, Science Club, and birthday parties. In addition to all the amazing benefits listed above, your membership is portable and provides reciprocal admission at over 350 science centers worldwide through the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) passport program. Stop in today and find out how you can support HSC and enjoy the benefits of membership.

Understanding Headwaters Science Center

Perspectives from a Volunteer - John Mathisen 

Does Headwaters Science Center really matter? Is the lofty mission and vision of HSC being achieved, or is it just a place for kids to come and play with cool stuff?

I have been a volunteer there for almost 20 years now, long enough to see how HSC has affected the lives of individuals from childhood to adulthood.

This is what I have seen over the past two decades.

Children and young volunteers from years ago have grown up and moved into science careers. We have kept in touch with some of them and know they have become biologists, chemists, physicists, museum curators and medical doctors. They all say that HSC played a significant role in their career choices and initially turned them on to science. Score 1 for HSC.




Every time I’m on the exhibit floor I see the eyes of children light up as they discover something new about science, and their imaginations soar just like the hot air balloon. They ask questions and get answers from the ever-present professional staff. Is it possible I am seeing the beginnings of future scientists that our country so desperately needs? I think so.  Score 2 for HSC.

The live animals at HSC offer a huge learning opportunity. Not only do kids and adults learn a few facts, but they get the notion that all living things are valuable and deserve our respect – even snakes and tarantulas! So often I see fear and apprehension transformed to admiration and wonderment. Teaching at HSC is not about the facts of science – it’s about a way of thinking about science. And it’s so much fun. Score 3 for HSC.









Finally, it is wonderful to watch kids, parents and grandparents learn and explore science together on the exhibit floor, and family activities are often the focus of events and programs. Clearly, a benefit to our society. Score 4 for HSC.





Headwaters Science Center is a nonprofit organization and receives no public funding. About one-third of operating expenses comes from gifts and donations. And therein is the rub. They have to ask for donations. You can help to “Make a Difference” by participating in Give to the Max Day on November 14. Check out the HSC web site  for information. Open your heart and your wallet to keep HSC going strong, Drop By Drop.

John Mathisen

What is a Vernal Pool?

Our current fundraising effort at Headwaters Science Center called Drop-by-Drop refers to "Vernal Pools" as part of the metaphor for levels of giving in relation to bodies of water. Some people are not familiar with this term and are asking for a definition.

So here goes.


A vernal pool is a type of temporary wetland formed each spring from snow-melt and spring showers. By early summer, after the frost is out and evaporation increases, vernal pools disappear. Some people refer to them as leaf-litter ponds, because in wooded areas the substrate under the water consists of decomposing leaves.

 And therein lies their little secret.

Fairy shrimp
(courtesy Vernal Pool Association)

A vernal pool is a great habitat for invertebrate life because of the nutrients released by rotting leaves and vegetation. Invertebrates such as fairy shrimp and mosquito larvae thrive in this aquatic environment providing a source of food for many animals that we are familiar with, such as salamanders and frogs that have an aquatic larval stage in their life cycle.

Fairy shrimp, mosquito larvae and other invertebrates provide an important source of protein for birds, such as mallards and wood ducks, as they begin their reproductive efforts - and the pools actually serve as courtship and mating areas for the breeding pairs although nesting and brood-rearing may occur at some distance. A host of other animals visit vernal pools for drinking water and to prey on the tadpoles, frogs and salamanders.

Vernal pools are often destroyed by draining and filling as development of forested areas occurs. Timber harvest opens the canopy, raising temperature and increasing evaporation, and the pools dry up much earlier compared to those in an uncut forest.

So our metaphor is complete. Vernal pools are small and to some people insignificant, but they have an important role to play in forest ecology.  Likewise, a donation of a small amount of money to Headwaters Science Center may seem insignificant, but can make a huge difference when combined with other small donations. Even a single drop of water can make big things happen when combined with many other drops!

Please visit our donation page, choose a level of giving and make your donation on Give to the Max Day November 14th.

Three Minutes at Headwaters Science Center

If you have never visited  Headwaters Science Center, but often wondered what goes on in there - this video is for you.

Please help us continue to serve the kids and adults of Northern Minnesota with a generous donation to our cause on Give to the Max Day on November 14, 2013. It can be done online at our secure web site with GiveMn.org - and it's tax deductible! Learn more here.