The Odd Couple at Headwaters Science Center

In the lower left corner of the 210 gallon living coral reef at HSC you can observe a remarkable life story about two quite different animals that have evolved a unique symbiotic partnership.

A small fish, called Watchman Yellow Goby, shares a den in the sand with a small invertebrate called a Pistol Shrimp. They share the living space and food they capture. The shrimp is mostly blind and serves as the construction engineer, maintaining the den and constantly rearranging small pebbles to protect the den from predators. The goby is the guard, warning of any approaching danger with a flick of the tail. Both can disappear into their hole in a flash if danger approaches.

You can watch it all happen in real time. But you must be patient and quiet, any sudden movement and the alarm will be sounded by the goby.

We are trying to name the odd couple. Suggested names so far: Symbi and Osis, Darwin and Wallace, and Oscar and Felix. Any more suggestions?

Bodies in Motion

A Message From Susan Joy

Summer is right around the corner! What plans do you have to enjoy the warmer days ahead? HSC has lots of exciting plans for the summer, including our summer street party “Bodies in Motion,” five awesome summer camps, exciting Saturday Science activities, and a new exhibit on loan from our friends at the Duluth Children’s Museum. Oh - and don’t forget to take us with you when you travel this summer! Did you know that your HSC membership card provides reciprocal admission benefits to more than 350 other science centers and museums through the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) passport program?

Start the summer off with fun activities during “Bodies in Motion” on June 7th from 11 am to 1 pm on 4th Street between Beltrami and Minnesota in downtown Bemidji. “Bodies in Motion” will be a fun street fair with lots of great activities for all ages. This event is free to attend, but tickets will be sold for some of the activities and games. It’s not too late to register for one of our five amazing and awesome summer camps, including Morphed from Camp Invention, Engineering Innovations, Storm Chasers (hosted jointly with BSU), Tots-n-Science Camp, and Discovery Camp. Our website has all the details––including information on scholarships.

“Nano– Imagine and discover a world you can’t see!” is a new engaging exhibition for family audiences about nanoscale science, technology, and engineering. Join us to imagine and discover the nanoscale world—a world so tiny it’s too small to see! We would like to give a special thank you to the Duluth Children’s Museum for loaning us the Nano exhibition. It is a great way to learn more about this small science and, best of all, it will be at HSC all summer long!

See you soon!
Susan

Headwaters Science Center presents: Saturday Science featuring Phenology with John Latimer

Headwaters Science Center, 413 Beltrami Ave NW, will host John Latimer on Saturday, April 19th from 2 to 3:00 pm for Saturday Science.   Saturday Science is FREE with paid admission and FREE for HSC members.

John will discuss phenology -  the study of biological life cycles as they relate to seasonal changes. He is the staff phenologist for KAXE/KBXE Northern Community Radio and hosts a weekly phenology program.

This program is suitable for all ages and weather permitting, some activities will occur outside.

The Headwaters Science Center (HSC) was founded in 1994 to provide hands-on science and technology exploration in northern Minnesota.  HSC is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission "to provide intellectual stimulation and enjoyment for children, adults, and educational organizations in northern Minnesota using hands-on science and technology exhibits and programs.”

The Pasque Flower is the true harbinger of spring, being the first
 wild flower to appear in northern Minnesota habitats.

HSC Raffle Launched on March 8th

Headwaters Science Center raffle for 2014 was launched on March 8 and will end on August 30. Tickets are $10.00 each with a chance to win great prizes. Make your connection today!

Tickets are available at HSC or from any Board member. Participants must be at least 18 years old. You do not need to be present on date of drawing. Winner is responsible for any shipping from Bemidji, MN.

HSC is Having a Birthday Party!

5th Annual e-cubed Dining Experience February 22, 2014 - Be there!

Enjoy the 5^th annual upscale dining experience at Headwaters Science Center featuring the art and science of food. Magnificent food buffets, live music, and HSC's own incomparable science entertainment will fill all 3 floors of the Center, with another dessert spectacle to cap off the evening. Social hour begins at 5 pm.

Our downstairs "pub" will once again feature jazz and a cash bar, and in our continuing effort to "one-up" last year’s experience, e-cubed 2014 boasts a signature cocktail with one offered free to each ticket holder. We have appropriately named this drink the Sliderule because it’s secret formula is adjustable to make it suitable for all phases of the dinner from appetizers to dessert.

The dining experience will feature the extremely exquisite ethnic fare that is cooked live on site and served by talented local chefs. Live music and our usual HSC flair support an atmosphere that can only exist in an exhibit hall transformed to elegance!

Tickets are $45 and on sale now, available only at Headwaters Science Center. If you’d like tickets mailed to you, please call HSC at (218) 444-4472 and give a credit card number, or mail us a check.

This year’s epicurean delights will be provided by:

• Brigid’s Pub
• BSU Catering Services
• Cattails Bar & Grill
• Harmony Co-op
• Inharvest
• Novo Restaurant
• Tutto Benet
• Wild Hare Bistro and Coffeehouse
• Minnesota Nice Cafe
• Perkins
• Raphael's Bakery

Please thank and support our sponsors for this year's event!