The Exploratorium Summer Teacher Institute in San Francisco, California, is a 4-week professional development experience that will invigorate your teaching with techniques to inspire your students to become excited about learning. The institute will be held June 22 through July 17, 2009.

We want Arkansas’ teachers to have thisincredible opportunity and to share these inquiry teaching methods with other teachers. A generous grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has enabled the Arkansas Discovery Network to send 6 teachers to the Institute in 2009. Apply Now! The application deadline is March 16, 2009!

For more information, go to http://www.arkansasdiscoverynetwork.org/grown-ups/ti/ti_apply.html.

He's charismatic, he's witty, and he juggles knives while spinning a ball and riding a unicycle taller than himself, all in the name of science. Rhys Thomas is bringing his energetic Science Circus to Arkansas February through July.

"Most kids who come to my shows have never considered things like centripetal force
and rotation around center of mass," says Thomas. "But after they see how I rely on those principals to pull off circus tricks, they walk away with a concrete understanding of
physics. My goal is to provide an entertaining show that demonstrates how the basic
concepts of Newtonian physics make circus arts possible."

For more information, including dates and locations, go to http://www.arkansasdiscoverynetwork.org/events/science_circus.html.

Work is continuing on the Arkansas Discovery Network's new exhibit plan that will allow every partner to have a network exhibit! Partners have decided on topics and ordering components that will be included in their exhibits. Each partner will be involved in all aspects of making these exhibits happen including exhibit development, programming, training, and marketing.

We're very excited to bring these exhibits to Arkansas in the very near future!

Backyard Science - Museum of Discovery
Newton's Corner - Mid-America Science Museum
Science of Illusion - Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas
Astronomy - Discovery Place Children's Museum, Texarkana Museums System
Geology - University of Arkansas Center for Math and Science Education
Geocaching - Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
Exploring the Frontier - Arkansas State University Museum

Most of the exhibits are projected to open in the spring/summer of this year. To stay updated on these exhibits as they are developed, go to http://www.arkansasdiscoverynetwork.org/exhibits/seven.html.

Mid-America Science Museum, Hot Springs
“That’s Science”
March 7, 2009 (2:00 pm till 4:00 pm)
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
Good Vibrations through April 5
“See” sound, interrupt a tornado and more. FREE with Museum admission.
 more info
Beat. Breathe. Think. March 11-14
Discover the function and importance of the circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems by watching or participating in a brain or heart dissection.  FREE with Museum admission.
more info
Saturday Discoveries: Lights! Camera! Action!  March 14 1-4pm
The science of theatre. 501-396-7050 for reservations more info
This Little Piggy Went to Market March 26- 28
The Arkansas Children’s Theatre presents a lively production that features a curious pig and her visit to the Market.  FREE with Museum admission. more info

Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, Pine Bluff
February at Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas
A Taste of the Wildlife Fundraiser: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, includes duck calling contest, the Matt Webb Band and draw down. Cost is $35 per person and reservations may be made by calling 870-536-3375.
Family Film Night, “To Kill a Mockingbird:” 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, part of Black History Month. Free.
Community Read “Audacity of Hope:” Reception and discussion 5-7 pm Friday, Feb. 27, part of Black History Month. Free.
In the Galleries: African-American art exhibit, collage artist Amy Hill-Imler and potter Gail Miller. Free.

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. See next month's newsletter for details!

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

The mission of the Network is to bring world-class educational experiences to the children and families of Arkansas. A generous grant of $7.3 million from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation initiated the Network and made the programs possible.

Find out more about the network of museums across the state of Arkansas. To keep up on the latest events and a behind-the-scenes look every now and then, check out our flickr photostream or flickr group page, our blog, our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter.