Educators from the network partners attended the NISE Network Regional Workshop in Fort Worth, TX, at the end of February. At the conference they learned how to teach nanotechnology concepts to museum visitors with several activities, including making a nano carbon tube out of balloons.

Kathy Fuhler, Director of Programs at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, said, "I had an "a-ha" moment when I read this sentence, 'By the time you finish reading this sentence your fingernails will have grown one nanometer'. It really brought home the scale to me."

Lesley Merrit, Science Specialist for the Univerisity of Arkansas Center for Math & Science Education, said "This workshop really opened my eyes to the incredible world of the ‘very small’ that technology now allows us to see."

Sammy Wacasey, Archivist at Texarkana Museums System, said his favorite part was the interaction with nano researchers and scientists in the field. Jill Kary, Educator Coordinator at Arkansas State University Museum in Jonesboro, said, "I came to the conference wondering, 'Why is nano important?' This question was answered for me when they spoke about gold and how it can be used to heal cancer, and to harness and conserve clean energy. My interest in nano has been sparked and I’m ready to learn more!"

For more information on nanotechnology and the NISE Network, go to nisenet.org.

Rhys Thomas has been to Fayetteville and Pine Bluff teaching kids all about science through juggling and other circus activities.

A crowd of 350 children and parents turned out at the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas Saturday afternoon, Feb. 21. Juggler and teacher Rhys Thomas wowed the crowd with juggling stunts, along with some humor and teaching. “My six-year-old grandson came back from the event telling me all about inertia,” one grandmother said. The center turned itself into a circus for two hours of magic, face painting, arts and crafts, making balloon animals, dress-up and learning about pelts, wild animals and reptiles. Thomas also performed for school groups in Pine Bluff and Southeast Arkansas Thursday and Friday. More pics on Flickr!

If you missed Science Circus in Fayetteville and Pine Bluff, your next chance to see it is this weekend, March 5-7, and Mid-America Science Museum!

For more information, including dates and locations remaining in the Arkansas 2009 tour, go to http://www.arkansasdiscoverynetwork.org/events/science_circus.html.

Fifth and sixth graders from Washington Middle School in the El Dorado School District visited the Network's traveling exhibit, the Mystery of the Mayan Medallion, at the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover. As they explored the ancient dig site in Palenque, Mexico, they solved problems and discovered clues to find a priceless jade medallion that was buried long ago.

The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion will be at the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover until March 8. Then it travels to Jonesboro and the Arkansas State Univerisity Museum, where it will be open from March 14 - June 14.

To see more photos and videos of The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion, check out our collection on Flickr!

Apply Now for the The Exploratorium Summer Teacher Institute! The institute, in San Francisco, California, will be held June 22 through July 17, 2009. The application deadline is March 16, 2009!

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
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.

Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, Pine Bluff
Live@5 In Two jazz combo
5-7 p.m. Friday, March 6
Jazz, swing and Dixie sounds from the 30s, 40s and 50s will fill the Center 5-7 p.m. March 6. Live@5 is the Center’s monthly music series held the first Friday of each month. Cost of the evening is $10 and includes light refreshments.
2009 Theatre Season Tickets
Available Now!
2009 Theatre Season includes “Barefoot in the Park,” “Annie” and “Gypsy.”
Call 870-536-3375.
“Barefoot in the Park”
7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 2-4, 2 p.m. Sunday, April 5
Neil Simon comedy, “Barefoot in the Park,” to be on stage at the Center April 2-5. Call
for tickets at 870-536-3375.

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).

Arkansas State University Museum, Jonesboro
HiStory Time
First Saturday of each month
March 7, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Gather around ASU Museum’s stagecoach for HiStory Time. This free series, held the first Saturday of each month, launches March 7th, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. Reading a different history-based children’s story each month, we will explore the history of our region through objects on exhibition.  Every session includes a hands-on activity—songs, games, or crafts—that varies according to the story. Children ages 2–8 are invited, and adults are asked to remain for the session. For more information visit http://museum.astate.edu or phone 870-972-2074.

Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, Smackover
David Jean, Archeologist
Sunday, March 8, 2009, 2 p.m.
The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources is hosting David Jean, Archeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey located at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Sunday March 8, 2009.  Jean will present a slide presentation from the Maya ruins in Central America. According to Sherry Franques, Director of Education, “This is a great program to close the Mystery of the Mayan Medallion exhibit, we hope that visitors have a better understanding of this ancient culture and how it relates to today.” The last day of the exhibit will be Sunday.  

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.