This DuPont Planetarium presentation traces the history and development of many of the world’s most endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season — from the burning Yule log, sparkling Christmas tree lights and candles in windows, to the lighting of luminarias in the American Southwest and the traditional ritual of the Hanukkah Menorah.
‘Tis the Season’ also recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice — not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. It also takes a look at some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions: from gift-giving and kissing under the mistletoe, to songs about lords a-leaping and ladies dancing, and the custom of decking the halls with greenery and candles. St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus all drop by as well.
Naturally, there is some astronomy in ‘Tis the Season’. Audiences learn a selection of Northern hemisphere winter constellations, and find out why we even have seasons, as we demonstrate the Sun’s path across the sky throughout the year, and the Earth’s tilt and orbit around the Sun. And of course, the program explores the possible astronomical explanations for a ‘Star over Bethlehem’.
December 6, 13, 19, 20 at 7:00 & 8:00 pm
December 6 – Early Bird Special at 4:00 & 5:00 pm
December 23, 26, 27, 30 at 6:00, 7:00 & 8:00 pm
General Admission Ticket Price
Adults, $4.50; Seniors $3.50; Students $2.50 4K-12 grade;
USCA Faculty/Staff and Students $1.00
Early Bird Special Ticket Price
Adults, $3.50; Seniors $2.50; Students 4K-12 grade $1.50
To make a reservation inquire in the Science Store or call 803-641-3654.
Winter Planetarium Public Show Schedule
December 6, 13, 19, 20
7:00 & 8:00 pm – Tis the Season
December 6 – Early Bird Special
4:00 & 5:00 pm – Tis the Season
December 23, 26, 27, 30
6:00, 7:00, & 8:00 pm – Tis the Season
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
7:00 pm - Larry Cat in Space
8:00 pm – Digistar Laser Fantasy
January 3 – Early Bird Special
4:00 pm - Larry Cat in Space
5:00 pm – Digistar Laser Fantasy
February 7, 14, 21, 28
7:00 & 8:00 pm – Follow the Drinking Guard
February 7 – Early Bird Special
4:00 & 5:00 pm - Follow the Drinking Guard
March 7, 14, 21, 28
7:00 pm - Star Stories
8:00 pm – More Than Meets the Eye
March 7 – Early Bird Special
4:00 pm - Star Stories
5:00 pm – More Than Meets the Eye
April 4, 11, 18, 25
7:00 pm - In My Backyard
8:00 pm – Voyager Encounters
April 5 – Early Bird Special
4:00 pm - In My Backyard
5:00 pm – Voyager Encounters
Ticket Pricing
General Shows:
Adults $4.50, Seniors $3.50, Students 4K-12 grade $2.50
Early Bird Special
Adults $3.50, Seniors $2.50, Students 4k-12 grade $1.50
For More Information Visit:
http://rpsec.usca.edu/planetarium/
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2009 CSRA Science and Engineering Fair
Back by popular demand, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC (SRNS),
the University of South Carolina Aiken, and the Ruth Patrick Science
Education
Center Science are proud to be the sponsors of the 2009 CSRA Science
and Engineering Fair. Schools in Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield,
Bamberg, Saluda, McCormick and Hampton counties in South Carolina and
Burke,Richmond, Columbia, Lincoln, Wilkes, Jefferson, Taliaferro, Warren,
McDuffie, Emanuel, Jenkins and Glassock Counties in Georgia are invited
to send their first place winning projects to the 2009 CSRA Regional
Science and Engineering Fair that will be held at the University of
South Carolina Aiken on March 14, 2009. The fair will be open to all
4th through
12th graders in CSRA public, private and home schools. For additional
information contact Bonnie Maxwell at bonnie.maxwell@srs.gov or 803-952-8720.
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Adopt an Animal Program
The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center is looking for sponsors to help support
the cost of feeding and caring for the animals used in our K-12 educational
programs. An animal may be adopted by an individual, a business, or a group
such as an elementary school class or a scout troop. The sponsors’ names
will be displayed on the animals’ cages for one school year. Donations
are tax deductible; sponsorship opportunities for 2008-2009 are listed
below. For more information, please contact Deborah McMurtrie at DeborahMc@usca.edu
or 803-641-2834.
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CE-MIST Funding Begins
The new Center of Excellence in Middle-level Interdisciplinary Strategies for
Teaching (CEMIST) began funding in August 2008. The project was made possible
through support of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education under
the auspices of the state EIA Teacher Education Centers of Excellence Grant
Program.
CE-MIST will work with teachers
and students at three schools in the CSRA: A.L. Corbett Middle School,
Johnston-Edgefield Trenton (JET) Middle School and Leavelle McCampbell
Middle School. Activities will include professional development for teachers
and activities for students.
Goals and Objectives:
Goal 1: Developing and modeling exemplary teacher training programs.
To address
this goal, CE-MIST will develop and model programs that are: collaborative,
field-based, use state-of-the-art technology and use proven strategies.
Goal
2: Providing hands-on, inquiry-based, research-supported programs.
CE-MIST
will provide hands-on, inquiry-based, research-supported programs that
incorporate innovative practices in teaching middle-level children with
diverse backgrounds and learning styles from targeted low performing
schools. Goal 2 is related to Goal 1 but shifts the focus from teacher
to student.
The middle-level students will have opportunity to engage in these activities
at the RPSEC at the USCA, which will introduce them to a higher education
institution and allow them to benefit from the state-of-the-art, RPSEC
facility.
Goal 3: Developing an influential constituency for the Center CE-MIST will develop
an influential constituency by following the model exemplified by the RPSEC.
A new group, the CE-MIST Advisory Council, will be created during this
project. This group will be composed of individuals from each of the partner
schools, USCA and key individuals with backgrounds in middle-level philosophy.
Goal
4: Achieving a position of leadership in the state
As CE-MIST develops and models exemplary teacher training programs
and develops an influential constituency, there will be a
natural progression to achieving a position of leadership in South Carolina.
Goal
5: Develop a detailed research agenda
For more information about CE-MIST, visit our website at
http://rpsec.usca.edu/CE-MIST/
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OWL NAMING CONTEST
The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center is pleased to announce the results
of the Owl Naming Contest. The RPSEC staff chose the winning name from
among 62 entries submitted by students in kindergarten through grade 12.
The winners are:
First place: “RALEIGH”
(The owl was originally from Raleigh, North Carolina)
First place winners (tie):
Mrs. Brewer’s 4th grade class at Aiken Elementary School
Ms. Allen and Ms. Royster’s 4th grade class at Fairfax Elementary School
Second
place: “OWLBERT EINSTEIN”
Second place winner:
Mrs. Coffey’s 6th grade classes at Aiken Middle School
Third place: “WA-HU-HU”
(the Cherokee word for owl)
Mrs. Carlisle’s 2nd grade class at North Harlem Elementary School
Honorable
Mention: “AERIESTOTLE”
(Aristotle is in honor of one of the wisest men in history. The alternate
spelling encompasses the word “aerie,” which is a large, high
nest of a bird of prey)
Mrs. Hatfield’s 4th grade class at Alleluia Community School
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FREE Teacher Resources and Visiting Scientists Available
The Traveling Science and Mathematics Demonstrations Program has over 300 science
and math kits available for use in the classroom. Supplement your curriculum
with nationally recognized and state adopted exemplary materials. Kits
have been correlated to SC state standards. Many kits contain children’s
literature so that you can integrate your science and language arts lessons.
In addition to these resources,
you can request a visiting (STRAND) Scientists with Traveling Resources
and Neat Demonstrations volunteer for classroom presentations. For more
information, please visit http://rpsec.usca.edu/travelingscience/ or call
us at 803-641-3683.
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South Carolina and Georgia Schools Participate in the 2008-2009 South Carolina Regional
Future City Competition
The mission of the National Engineers Week
Future City Competition is to provide a fun and exciting educational
engineering program for seventh and eighth grade students. This program
combines a stimulating engineering challenge with a “hands-on” application
as students present their vision of a city of the future.
Participating Schools
A. L. Corbett Middle School
Aiken Christian Middle School
Aiken Middle School
Bennettsville Middle School
Black Water Middle
Blythewood Middle School
Cainhoy Elementary/Middle
Cardinal Newman School
Chapin Middle School
E. L. Wright Middle
Paul Knox Middle School
Ridgeland Middle School
Ronald E. McNair Middle School
Southeast Middle School
Southwood Middle School |
First Baptist Church School
Green Sea Floyds Middle School
Hillcrest Middle School
Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle
Kennedy Middle School
Langford Middle School
Midland Valley Prep
New Ellenton Middle School
North Augusta Middle School
Palmetto Middle School
Tutt Middle School
W G Sanders Middle
W.A. Perry Middle School
Wild Flower Academy
Woodmont Middle School |
|
The SC Regional Future City Competition is sponsored by the Ruth Patrick
Science Education Center and Savannah River Site Education Outreach
Programs. For more information visit http://futurecity.org/
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Masters Degree in Educational Technology
On-line Format
The Educational Technology program at the University of South Carolina Aiken
(USCA) and the University of South Carolina (USC) Columbia is accepting
applications for enrollment. There has been interest in moving the program
to an on-line format and this process is well underway. For more information
visit: http://edtech.usca.edu/.
The focus of the program is to develop capabilities
essential to the effective design, evaluation, and delivery of technology-based
instruction and training (e.g., software development, multimedia development,
assistive technology modifications, web-based development, and distance
learning) in order to (1) prepare educators to assume leadership roles
in the integration of educational technology into the school curriculum,
and (2) to provide graduate-level instructional opportunities for several
populations (e.g., classroom teachers, corporate trainers, educational
software developers) that need to acquire both technological competencies
and understanding of sound instructional
design principles and techniques.
Foundational Core Courses (6 hours)
AERM/EDRM 700 – Introduction to Research in Education
AEET/EDET 709 – Applications of Learning Principles
Design Courses (15 hours)
AEET/EDET 603 – Design and Development Tools I
AEET/EDET 703 – Design and Development Tools II
AEET/EDET 722 – Instructional Design and Assessment
AEET/EDET 755 – Design and Evaluation of Information
Access and Delivery
AEET/EDET 793 – Advanced Instructional Design and Development
Technology
Core Courses (12 hours)
AEET/EDET 650 – Internship in Educational Technology
AEET/EDET 735 – Technological Applications for Diverse
Populations
AEET/EDET 746 – Management of Technology Resources
AEET/EDET 780 – Seminar in Educational Technology
Electives (3 hours chosen
from the following courses)
AEET/EDET 652 – Design and Evaluation of Games and
Simulations
AETE 731 – Instructional and Informational Applications of
Technology or
EDTE 731 – Integration of Technology and Instruction
SLIS 706 – Introduction to Information Technologies
TSTM 790 – Advanced Study in Technology Support/
Training Management
Anyone interested in enrolling in this program
should contact Karen Morris at 803-641-3489.
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2650 Attend SEED
The 23nd Annual (SEED) Science Education Enrichment Day offered the community
over 60 science and mathematics related exhibits and activities hosted
by business, industry and school organizations. Visitors had the chance
to make their own paper, make tie-die shirts, build straw towers, make
slime, learn about the weather, view their house from satellite images
and much more. Students also had the chance to test their skills with SEED
Trivia, completing math puzzles and exploring other thought-provoking exhibits.
This year’s theme “Science Rocks!” was certainly brought to life by the
many community volunteers that made this event so successful. Over 2650
people attended this year’s SEED.
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 |
Coming Spring Break
April 2009!
More information @
http://rpsec.usca.edu/ |
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CAMP INVENTION
June 15-19, 2009
@ the RPSEC
|
Take Home Science
Make Your Own Lava Lamp
Here’s what you’ll need:
• Soda Bottle
• Vegetable Oil
• Water
• Food Coloring
• Alka-Seltzer (or any
effervescent antacid)
Here’s what you’ll do:
1. Fill the bottle ¾ of the way with vegetable oil.
2. Use water to fill the bottle the remainder of the way, just below
the bottle’s neck.
3. Place 10 drops of food coloring into the bottle. You can experiment
by using two or
three different food colorings.
4. Break the Alka-Seltzer into four pieces. Place one piece in after
the other until all have been added.
5. Place the cap on the bottle. Now watch what happens—you have a
lava lamp!
What’s happening:
This experiment proves that water and oil don’t
mix. The carbon dioxide gas created when you dropped the pieces
of Alka-Seltzer tables into the mixturecauses the colored water blobs
to push to the top through the oil. |
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 |
Looking for that
perfect holiday gift?
Visit the Science Store @ the
Ruth Patrick Science
Education Center.
Call 641-3313 for store hours. |
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