Two new advisory councils met for the first time last week at the Museum of Discovery to discuss what the Arkansas Discovery Network has to offer and how to get the word out.

The Technology Advisory Group includes professionals from the technology business community. This group talked about networking opportunities that would benefit both the network and the business and education communities. In addition, they discussed ways to get the word out about the network.

The Marketing/PR Committee includes communications professionals across the business and media community. We talked about spreading the word statewide and educating the media and the public on everything we have to offer the state. Look for exciting new marketing and public relations ideas to come from this group.

To see photos of members of the advisory councils enjoying their time on The Race for Planet 'X', check out our Flickr photostream!

For more information on both of these advisory councils, go to our advisory council page on our website.

The Arkansas teachers have returned from the four-week Summer Teacher Institute at the Exploratorium in San Francisco with brand-new ideas to share with their students and other teachers across Arkansas.

Here's what one teacher had to say about her experience:

The Exploratorium Teacher's Institute was amazing. The instructors were inspiring people. I learned so much at the institution that furthers my belief that middle school students, especially, learn more with hands on teaching methods. Although I brought back so many activities to share in my classroom that is not the most important thing that I brought back. I am inspired to teach again and re-energized. The instructors and my fellow institute teachers taught me so much about teaching and bringing my love for teaching and for math and science to my students. They may not remember all the details of a unit but they will remember the experiments and hands-on activities and can draw from those experiences knowledge that will aid them and continue with them as their knowledge grows.

Ruth Brewer
Central Middle School, Van Buren

The teachers are presenting a session at the Arkansas Curriculum Conference which will be held in Little Rock on November 13 and 14 at the Statehouse Convention Center. Their session, entitled "Exploratorium Explorations," will engage participants in activities from the San Francisco Exploratorium. It will be a fast-paced fun-filled integrated science workshop that will continue to spread the word about hands-on inquiry-based science education. For more information about the ACC conference, go to their website.

For more information on the Teacher Institute, please visit www.arkansasdiscoverynetwork.org.

Thank you to Market Strategies International for its generous $1,000 sponsorship 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!

This past school year The Race for Planet "X" visited schools in all corners of the state, reaching more than 4,200 sixth graders. Next year we hope to reach even more!

Race for Planet "X"

The Mystery of the Medallion opened at the Museum of Discovery on September 6 and runs through December 14. An archeological team has mysteriously disappeared from a dig site in Palenque, Mexico. They had been investigating a long-standing rumor that a priceless jade medallion is buried in the temple there. However, something horrifying has scared them off. Luckily, in their haste to escape, they managed to leave behind a video with clues and a warning to all who come after. See if you can uncover the mystery of the dig site and find the priceless treasure!

The exhibit is sponsored in Little Rock by Bank of America and presented by the Arkansas Discovery Network funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

This is your last chance to see this sticky and slimy exhibit at a network partner museum. Grossology opened at the Arkansas State University Museum in Jonesboro this September and will remain until January 4, 2009. Don't miss out on learning stinky, smelly, disgusting facts about your body at this wildly grossly popular exhibit!

Sharp is presenting sponsor of Grossology at ASU Museum; the exhibit is also sponsored by Niche, KAIT8, Chick-fil-A, and Occasions Publishing Group, along with statewide sponsor, Arkansas Children's Hospital. The Grossology exhibit is created & produced by Advanced Animations L.LC. in collaboration with Science World British Columbia.

Fall at the Arts and Science Center
Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, Pine Bluff
Singer-songwriter Mike Tripp, whose repertoire of songs ranges from Hank Williams to Pink Floyd to original compositions, will work his magic on acoustic guitar at The Arts & Science Center’s monthly music series, Live@5, set for 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3. Cost is $5 and includes light refreshments. For more information contact Pat Hopkins at (870) 536-3375. Have you ever wanted to know what goes on behind stage? Come learn this fun and marketable skill at The Arts & Science Center’s backstage theater training workshops continuing 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 and 9, with sessions focusing on how to use a pin rail and sound to create a finished play production. Cost of each session is $12 for members and $15 for non-members of the Center. Also continuing in the galleries through October are the works by watercolorist Janis Gill Ward, the Pine Bluff Art League Exhibit featuring 40 works of art from its 100-plus membership. Opening in the galleries in October will be the pottery – described as free-flowing with deep glazes, sharp contrasts and vibrant colors – of Dumas artist Gail Miller. Admission to all galleries at the Center is free. The center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Uncorked: The Science of Wine
Museum of Discovery, Little Rock
October 23, 7 - 10 p.m.
Guests will sample wines from around the world while enjoying complimenting gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Wine experts will answer questions on food pairings, grape varieties and wine selection. Uncorked: The Science of Wine will feature delicious food, live music, a silent auction, a raffle, a beer garden and, of course, a wine tasting. It will be held on Thursday, October 23, at the Museum of Discovery from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Nikki Lawson is chairing this 7th annual event. Tickets are $100 and dress is business casual. For more information, visit www.amod.org or call Melody Myers at (501) 396-7050 ext 212.

Our Body: The Universe Within
and Grossology
Mid-America Science Museum, Hot Springs
Dates extended! Now until January 4, 2009!
Our Body: The Universe Within literally goes "under the skin" to reveal the mysteries of the human anatomy through a riveting presentation of fascinating and ACTUAL human specimens. The exhibit features bodies and anatomical displays preserved to expose the inner workings of the human anatomy.

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.