Mid-America Science Museum and UALR Nanotechnology Research Center is participating in NanoDays the week of March 28 through April 4, 2009 at Mid-America Science Museum (MASM). During the past week we had over 200 adults and children learned about nano-scale science by participating in hands-on activities. Mid-America Science Museum will continue NanoDays throughout the week by continuing to provide hands-on activities at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm daily. Dr. Alex Biris, lead researcher and scientist in the Nanotechnology Center at UALR, will be featured on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at 2:00 pm. He will highlight various aspects of nanotechnology including research that is taking place in Arkansas, the social implications of nanotechnology, and how this research impacts society.

Huge discoveries about tiny things are changing our world. Learn how scientists use nanotechnology to make our everyday lives better at the Museum of Discovery NanoDays April 1-4. Did you know, for example, that aluminum in a soda can is very safe but aluminum particles spontaneously explode?

NanoDays Outreach: It really is a small world after all! How would you like to take an elevator from the earth into space or create food or make your own diamonds? Students in Pine Bluff, as part of the nationally recognized NanoDays, learned about the tiny technological world of nanotechnology through outreach classes taken to various schools by the Arts& Science Center for Southeast Arkansas March 30-April 3. Students learned about and explored the world of nano by studying liquid crystals, using magnets to manipulate ferro fluids, a unique magnetic material that acts like a liquid, and making large buckyballs that in real life are small, soccer ball-shaped molecules made of carbon. More pics!

More details and updates on Network NanoDays activities!

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

Thank you to the Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation for its generous $25,000 grant for The Race for Planet 'X'!

Contributions like this ensure our mobile museum will continue to serve our rural schools.

To see photos of The Race for Planet "X," go to our flickr page!

Race for Planet "X"

Last November we showed you the model of our next exhibit in production, Science & Art. Things are moving along and we have a logo and the fabricators are hard at work putting all the pieces together.

This month we'd like to start introducing you to the artists/scientists who are part of the Science & Art exhibit. This month, we'll start with Origami extraordinaire, Robert Lang.

From the time he was a child Robert Lang was passionate about rendering beautiful figures from nothing but a square of paper. His skill in folding origami and in mathematics led him to become one of the pioneers of a branch of origami known as origami sekkei, or‘technical origami” in which computer algorithms aid in the creation of crease patterns for highly complex sculptures. In 2004 he became a full-time origami artist, after nearly three decades as a physicist and engineer, during which he authored or co-authored over 80 technical publications and was awarded 40 patents involving semiconductor lasers, optics, and integrated optoelectronics. Robert Lang is recognized as a master in the rarified world of origami artists.

Science & Art shows how science and art work together to make our lives better and more interesting. Learn about a scientist who thinks worms are beautiful, or see how another scientist makes her clothing light up using very small circuits. You will also have the chance to explore science and art yourself with several fun and unique activities.

See pictures of the Science & Art as it's being developed on our Flickr page!

Rhys Thomas Wowed the Audience at the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover, Arkansas March 19 - 21. Science Circus has been very popular across the state, and that continued in Smackover, In just one Saturday performance, more than 300 people came out to see Rhys in action!

Science Circus will be returning to Arkansas in July for two final engagements at Arkansas State University Museum in Jonesboro (July 16–18) and at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock (July 23 – 25).

Go to our Flickr page to see more pics of Science Circus at the Museum of Natural Resources!

Arkansas State University Museum, Jonesboro
HiStory Time
First Saturday of each month
April 4, 2009 at 2:00 pm
On Saturday, April 4th, at 2 p.m., the ASU Museum will again feature HiStory Time. April 4's story will focus on life on the frontier. The ASU Museum explores the history of the region via reading a different history-based children’s story each month and observing objects on exhibition. Every session includes a hands-on activity —songs, games, or crafts — that will vary according to the story. Children ages 2–8 are invited, and adults are asked to remain for the session. Visitors are invited to stay for a puppet show on Nano-technology that will immediately follow HiStory Time on Saturday, April 4. For more information visit the museum online at museum.astate.edu, or call 870-972-2074.

Through a Child’s Eyes
April 5, 2009 at 1:00-3:00 p.m.
On Sunday, April 5th, the ASU Museum will recognize winners of its 22nd annual Through a Child’s Eyes art competition. See the ten top works of children’s art from area schools 1:00–3:00 PM.  Winners announced at 1:30.
  For more information visit http://museum.astate.edu or phone 870-972-2074.

Museum of Discovery, Little Rock
Last chance to catch GOOD VIBRATIONS, closing April 5!

April 1-4 NanoDays
Discover nanotechnology (tiny tiny things!)

April 11 Saturday Discoveries: Papermaking
From pulp to perfect. Reservations: 501-396-7051

April 22-25: Bugfest
Celebrate all things buggy.

April 29-May 2: Go Green
Learn how we can help Mother Earth.

2009 Summer Camps! Schedule now available!

Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, Pine Bluff
“Barefoot in the Park” April 2-4 7:30 p.m. and April 5 2 p.m.
Neil Simon’s comedy, “Barefoot in the Park,” features mismatched newlyweds setting up house in a minuscule apartment in New York City. Tickets range from $11 to $15. 870-536-3375 or www.artssciencecenter.org
Live@5 jazz guitar April 3 5-7 p.m.
Milt Jackson brings jazz guitar to Live@5, the Center’s monthly music series. Cost of the evening is $5 for members and $10 for non-members and includes light refreshments. 870-536-3375 or www.artssciencecenter.org.
Spring Photography Class April 7-May 12 Tuesdays 6-8 p.m.
Local professional photographer Eric Maynard will teach a six-week session of Advanced Picture Taking.

Mid-America Science Museum
Engineer It! Science Summer Day Camps, June 15 – July 23, Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 12 noon
Day camps run Monday thru Thursday, and are for kids ages 6 -11. Each week features a different engineering theme, and each day offers special hand-on activities.  Campers use their imagination and creativity to design their own robots, boats, bridges, towers and airplanes.  Then build them, test them, and then rebuild tem again. With 20 different camps to choose from, campers ages 6 – 11 can spend a day, a week or all summer enjoying hand-on activities that will inspire and motivate their inner engineer.  Visit MidAmericaMuseum.org for Camp details, or download the Camp Registration form here.

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.