NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 1687FORT WAYNE, IN

Science Central1950 N. Clinton StreetFort Wayne, IN 46805

Printing services provided by:

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Thank you for being a Science Central member! We want to keep in touch!

Spark Your Imagination!

Visit sciencecentral.org!

When you look to the night sky, what do you see? Your answer might go along the lines of that iconic song once recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, “stars shining bright above me…” In reality, those stars are actually just tiny representations of much larger suns, moons, planets and even galaxies that exist beyond Earth’s atmosphere. None of which can be seen with the naked eye.

But what if you could? If you had the means to see into the farthest reaches of space, what would you see? Science Central’s latest touring exhibition, “The Evolving Universe,” gives visitors the opportunity to do just that.

Developed by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service; “The Evolving Universe” presents visitors with full color, high-resolution photographs and videos capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos as seen through high powered terrestrial and orbiting telescopes. Through these images, visitors will not

only see the farthest reaches of space, but travel back in time to 13.7 billion years ago. Due to the vast distance between galaxies and the amount of time it takes for light to travel between them, we can only see the Universe as it once was. Therefore, the deeper into space we look, the further back in time we see!

“The Evolving Universe” brings together imagery of stars at various life stages using the compelling visuals to tell epic stories of supernovas, stellar nurseries, nebulae and galaxy clusters that reveal the fascinating history of the expanding universe. As visitors explore the exhibition gallery they will witness the entire life cycle of the universe from the birth of all things during the Big Bang to the cataclysmic death of a star.

Throughout this cosmic journey, visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about the research methods and technologies used to create the journey across space and time as told through this one of a kind exhibition.

“The Evolving Universe” is being hosted by Science Central in the Touring Exhibitions Gallery on the Lower Level of the center now through September 13th. The exhibition is sponsored in-part by the Indiana Space Grant Consortium.

My tax-deductible contribution to Science Central is:

$500 $250 $100 $50 $25 Other

Name ____________________________________Address___________________________________City ________________ State _____ Zip ________Phone (____)___________________Email ____________________________________

Summer 2015Science Sentinel

Evolving Universe

TOURING EXHIBITION

FEATURES

FUN

On October 3, 2015, Science Central will host its first-ever science fiction event: Sci-Fi Central.

Learn how to make your own rock candy!

UPDATE

SPOTLIGHT

November 5, 2015 marks a special day for Science Central... we turn 20!

As a scientist, Angie Greirs’ Science Central membership just makes sense.

(page 2)

(page 4)

(page 8)

(page 10)

Open through Sep. 13!

Send to: Science Central1950 N Clinton StFort Wayne, IN 46805

Donate to Science Central!

Donate through the mail with a check...

Donate online with a credit card...Cut out this coupon and invite a friend...

At Science Central, our job is to create “aha” moments for everyone through our science! To help create one of these “aha” moments...

One FREE admission for a guest of your choice. Clip this coupon and give it to a friend, and share the benefits of visiting Science Central.

Not valid with any other offers.

Expires December 31, 2015Code: 4029

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!

Visit: sciencecentral.org!

CAMPSHave you considered sending your children to one of Science Central’s Summer STEM Camps?

(page 6)

Have you used your membership to get free/reduced price admission at another ASTC reciprocal museum?

YES

NO

In 2013, Science Central invited our members to take a ‘Member Engagement Survey’. Thank you to everyone who participated in this effort!

10%0% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ASTC Travel Passport Program

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

With a membership to Science Central you get free or reduced price admission to OVER 360 other science and technology centers and museums! These are just a few of the places within easy driving distance.

Visit: sciencecentral.orgto learn more about our membership benefits.

2 1 

 3 

5 

7 

6 

8 

14 

9 

12 

13 

11 

10 

16 17 

15 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22  23 24 

25 

26 

27 

 4 

Arnold Foundation | Blackford County Community Foundation | The Chapman Fund | The Cole Foundation Edna Foundation | Ewing Trust | Vernon H. Haase Foundation | The Hayner Foundation | Magee O’ Connor | AAASKinder Morgan Foundation | Kosciusko County Community Foundation | M.E. Raker Foundation | Air Gas | PNC CharitableTrust | Prophet Sisters Foundation | The Rolland Foundation | Wilson Foundation | Zollner Foundation

My office overlooks the Top Level of exhibits, and is positioned directly over some of our more popular science of sound exhibits. As I type this, I get to hear the (loud!) excitement of throngs of students visiting Science Central. They come from around Indiana, and even our neighboring states.

Our Education Department works hard to develop programs (demonstrations and labs) that correlate to state science standards. As an educational facility, it is important that we are supportive of what our teachers present in their classrooms. And, we want to ensure that we have pre-service and in-service teacher workshops so that they are better prepared to teach science. There is no way that we can replace what our teachers do at their schools, but we fully recognize that we can complement their lessons. We even provide free admission to state-certified teachers, anytime, in preparation for a study trip, or even on their own just for fun!

As a science center, we want our visitors to 1) Learn a

few facts and figures about science. That’s valuable. 2) Identify the real-world connections of science. That’s even more valuable. 3) Recognize that anyone can do science or be a scientist. Even better. 4) See that science is FUN! That’s powerful! And, more importantly, it can lead to lifelong learning or even career choices.

I know that Science Central has impacted our student visitors. Since we turn 20 this year, we’ve been around long-enough for an entire generation of kids to grow up. We are now at the point where we meet college students, graduate students and working professionals who tell us that they are in science or medicine or engineering or teaching because they visited Science Central as children. In fact, we’d love to hear your stories. Feel free to contact me or share on our web site.

We have a phenomenal exhibit called Science On a Sphere. It can show Earth’s ocean currents, Mars or the Moon. It can show turtle, shark and

bird migration. It can show real-time connections such as earthquakes and global storm systems. I fully recognize that this is one powerful exhibit which can spark all 4 of the items above. I can’t help but think how much this exhibit will truly impact our student visitors. One of the images shows the Earth, from space, in actual color to the human eye. For adult visitors – and me – it’s the closest we’ll ever get to space. Unfortunately, we’re too old. But I have no doubt, none whatsoever, that this exhibit will impact our student visitors so that they decide to go into science. And some of them will, someday, get to really see the Earth from space!

And it all started on a field trip to Science Central as an excited student.

Sincerely,

Martin S. FisherExecutive Director

• Free admission for up to two named adults at the same address and any six children under 18 for one year from date of purchase!

• Free or reduced admission to over 350 ASTC science centers and museums!

• Advance registration privileges and discounts for programs and camps!

• Member Newsletter!

• Invitations to member-only events!

• 10% Gift Store discount, everyday!

For more information call: 260-424-2400, x 451

or visit our website at sciencecentral.org

Science Central membership gives you:

2 11

Science Central

membership has benefits!

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT SURVEY RESULTS

Science Notes

MARTIN FISHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2014 – Two millionth visitor1908 – Location for the original, smaller power plant

94

“I’m a scientist and I want my kids to be science geeks!”

AngieGrier

UPCOMING EVENTSMEMBER SPOTLIGHT

As a scientist, Angie Grier’s membership to Science Central just makes sense. It is important to her that children, view science as something important and fun. This is what led her to Science Central. She believes it is a way to help make science fun and exciting.

After receiving her Master’s in Fisheries Science from Purdue University, Angie worked for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources from 2004 to 2010 as a Fisheries Biologist. This role allowed her to lead a three-year research project on the Indiana Glacial Lakes from 2007 to 2010. She took a break from the Indiana DNR for a few years after her kids were born, but just

as artists need a creative outlet, scientists need their scientific outlet. Grier’s outlet is teaching 8th grade science at Towles New Tech Middle School.

It was because of her past experiences, her passion for science, and the desire that her children feel the same that inspired Angie to become a member of Science Central.

“I’m a scientist and I want my kids to be science geeks!” said Grier.

She believes Science Central can make that dream come true. Grier has two children, son Wyatt and daughter Wendy who are six and four years old respectively. Along with inspiring her children to love science the same way she does, she also appreciates the benefits Science Central offers to its members.

Her children love coming to Science Central’s camps, so the discount that is given for those activities is one of her favorite aspects of being a member. Last summer, Wyatt was old enough to participate in the Lego Robotics Camp. This camp teaches basic

computer programming that can make a robot sing, dance, navigate a maze, and battle during the epic sumo wrestling that takes place on the final day of the camp.

“Both of my kids were really into that and it was great to see them get so excited about it,” said Grier.

Camp discounts are just one of the benefits offered for a Basic Membership to Science Central. Free admission, discounts for camps and programs, and 10% off at our Gift Store are all things members can utilize. Members also receive free or reduced admission to over 300 ASTC science centers and museums, which is another benefit Grier has taken advantage of during her past three years as a member.

Thank you Angie, Wyatt, and Wendy Grier for choosing Science Central!

Prepare for the impending Zombie Apocalypse with a

night of fun in pandemic proportions. Explore

the museum while indulging in cocktails and “cannibalism” (not really, but you get it). Examine patients and get hands-on with evidence not for the faint of heart.

Will you find Patient Zero before it’s too late?

Attire: Human Casual to Undead Chic.

The Quest for Patient ZeroFriday, October 9th, 2015 7:00pm-10:00pm Visit: sciencecentral.org

Soulless Science

2005 – One millionth visitor1975 – City Light & Power ceases generation of electricity

s h a k e n n o t s t i r r e d

m i x o l o g yNovember 6th, 2015 - 6:30 pm

310

Visit Fort Wayne

Rock Candy

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTFAMILY FUN ACTIVITY

Each year, 60% of Science Central’s guests come from outside of Allen County – and the spending that these visitors do in our community is integral to maintaining the outstanding Quality of Life that Fort Wayne residents enjoy!

“Visitors spend $545 million dollars in our community each year,” explains Visit Fort Wayne Director of Marketing Kristen Guthrie. “As those visitors infuse fresh money into our economy, we all benefit. That spending helps support the restaurants, festivals and attractions – like Science Central – that we all enjoy!”

For that reason, the staff at Visit Fort Wayne works to market our community to potential visitors throughout the region, inviting them to spend their family getaway time enjoying all that we have to offer.

The Visit Fort Wayne marketing staff purchases TV, radio, print and online ads in over 30 regional cities, promoting the many reasons to visit Fort Wayne, and it works! Every year, over 5.8 million visitors come to our city!

One of the primary promotional tools is the website at VisitFortWayne.com, which houses a wealth of information about our community.

While this site has long been a tool that visitors use, Visit Fort Wayne encourages locals to use these resources as well, as they become ambassadors for our community when they host their friends and family here.

“Approximately 40% of Fort Wayne’s visitors come to our city because they are visiting family and friends,” explains Guthrie. “In the past, Visit Fort Wayne’s marketing efforts have focused on soliciting the other 60% of visitors and inviting them to town for family trips, conventions and sporting events. While we continue to concentrate on this effort, we have launched a local campaign to help Fort Wayne residents better host that other important group of visitors – their family and friends!”

This summer, Visit Fort Wayne is equipping Fort Wayne residents with the tools they need to

host their visiting friends and family. To prepare residents to be ambassadors they have created a new toolkit that you can find at HostThemHere.com.

There, you can find everything you need to host your friends and family – including weekly calendar of events updates, trip ideas, insider suggestions, hotel packages and more.

Learn more at VisitFortWayne.com and HostThemHere.com and encourage your family and friends to visit Fort Wayne, and Science Central, this summer!

What is a crystal? A crystal is a solid in which the atoms and molecules are arranged in an orderly, repeating pattern. Salt, sugar, Epsom salts and gemstones all have crystalline structures. Snow and ice also form into crystals. Rock candy is composed of sugar crystals

Experiment:1. Cut a six-inch piece of string. Tie one end of the

string around the middle of a pencil. Rub the string with sugar. Set aside.

2. Ask an adult to boil two cups of water in a saucepan. Let it cool and then pour it into a jar.

3. Add a ½-cup of sugar to the jar and stir until it dissolves. Keep adding ½-cups of sugar and stirring until the sugar no longer dissolves. This is called a saturated solution.

4. Hold the pencil so that the string falls into the water. Lay the pencil across the top of the jar. Make sure the string does not touch the sides or bottom of the jar. Loosely cover the top of the jar with a paper towel. Allow the jar to sit undisturbed for several days.

5. After a few days, large sugar crystals will begin to grow on the string. These crystals are rock candy. Take a look with a magnifying glass to see what the crystals look like up close. Then use a magnifying glass to look at sugar crystals from a sugar bowl. How are the crystals different? How are they similar?

6. NOW YOU CAN EAT YOUR ROCK CANDY!

Troubleshooting:If you don’t see anything form within a few days, try boiling the syrup again and dissolving another cup of sugar in it. Let it cool slightly, then pour back into the jar and re-insert the strings.

Variation: You can create rock candy in different colors by adding a few drops of food coloring to the water when you are making the solution.

Materials Needed:• Saucepan and Stove • Cotton string • Hot Water • Glass Jar (a 32-ounce) • Magnifying Glass • Pencils• Four or more cups of Granulated Sugar

Brought to you by GSK’s Science in the SummerTM program

1929 – Construction of this building, City Light & Power 2013 – Unveiled the current logo and opened Science On a Sphere

58

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Freya Berntson

SCI-FICentral

STAFF SPOTLIGHTUPCOMING EVENTS

On October 3, 2015, Science Central will host its first-ever science fiction event: Sci-Fi Central. This event is a gathering of minds with an affinity for science fiction, where patrons partake in a slew of different activities, including cosplay (the art of dressing in costumes), movies, discussion panels, photo opportunities, games, a marketplace and more.

Sci-Fi Central will host the Midwest R2 Builder’s Club, led by Dan Christlieb. This group of enthusiasts combine their love of Star Wars with engineering skills to build functional R2-D2 units. Christlieb is one of the founding members of the club, and will be giving demonstrations on how to build a real-life R2-D2 unit.

Visitors will also be able to meet Imperial forces from the 501st Legion: Vader’s Fist. The 501st is an organization comprised of volunteer cosplayers who share their love of Star Wars by building replicas of storm trooper costumes and performing as them at community events. If you identify more with Star Trek, then Sci-fi Central has an activity designed especially for you. The Artemis Bridge Simulator allows patrons to fill the roles of various officers on the bridge of a starship

to simulate space battles between themselves and opposing forces. Sci-Fi Central will be populated by a handful of local experts to help facilitate the activities. First up is John Kaufeld, Chief Communications Officer at IPFW by day and Eurogames expert by night. (“Eurogames” are European-style board games such as Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and many more.) Terry O’Brien, a local programmer will also be on hand to lend his programming expertise to the gaming side of the event. Rounding out the cast is Dr. Rex Joyner, Professor of Physics at Indiana Tech. Dr. Joyner is a former Science Central board member with a long time interest in the science-fiction genre, having hosted Comic Conventions of his own in the 1990’s. Sci-Fi Central is the product of Science Central’s own Scott Plant and Richard Yates. Plant is a member of the Science Central Board of Directors, who volunteered to chair a subcommittee for planning this event, and Yates is the Visitor Services/Volunteer Manager at the science center. Yates believes that events like this have

meaning because “going to these conventions opens you up to a new family; a family of friends that you didn’t know existed.” It also has a lot to do with the idea of passing things on, “if you don’t pass on this love of science fiction, it dies. If you want this stuff to have a legacy, you have to share it. That’s what Sci-Fi Central is about.” Plant also spoke about the inclusiveness of the event, stating that “this is a great opportunity to tap into a large local community of science fiction/fantasy/comic book fans who may never otherwise visit Science Central.”

Not a science fiction fan? Don’t worry! Sci-Fi Central is a day for all Science Central visitors. We will have the same exhibits and learning opportunities just with extra activates. Even better, there is no additional cost to attend!

She believes that “it’s extremely important… anything to better the world; when I learn something, I like to share it… that’s why I started here as an educational specialist.”

When you think of a great employee, what comes to mind? Some might say a keen interest in their work is essential, others might mention the ability to multi task. Others still might place emphasis on experience being a key factor. So what happens when you find all of these qualities in one person? You find Science Central’s Freya Berntson.

Freya is the School & Public Programs Manager at Science Central, and has been an indispensable part of the staff since October 2012. She makes sure schools are able to have an excellent experience on the exhibition floor and in our labs/demos. She manages big events like Countdown To

Noon and the Festival of Trains, and trains new Educators. In addition, her position requires an understanding of both education and customer service. “Every different group that comes in has a different specialty… you have to be very elastic. But that’s what keeps it interesting!” said Berntson.

Berntson grew up in Noble County, Indiana, and got into science at an early age. She enrolled at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she studied both Environmental Studies and Geology. “I’m a rock nerd,” said Berntson, who admits that she will occasionally stop a group on a hike to explain the intricacies of the rocks of the environment. “I’m just really fascinated by what we can learn from the geologic history of the Earth,” said Berntson.

Through her interest in science, Berntson has gained incredible experience through internships and volunteer work, with places including the Maui Bird Conservation Center in Hawaii; the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver, Colorado; and the Mary Lea Environmental Center in Wolf

Lake, IN, which she credits as “starting me on a lifelong love for science-y type jobs.”

Eventually, she found her way here to Science Central where she started as an Education Specialist. Berntson enjoys science education because she believes that “it’s extremely important… anything to better the world; when I learn something, I like to share it… that’s why I started here as an Educational Specialist.”

Berntson also enjoys science outside of her work, calling herself a “gardening freak.” She enjoys ornithology (the study of birds) and entomology (the study of insects), and admits to a love of spiders, explaining that she enjoys taking care of her pet tarantula. She did caution, however, that “if you smash one in front of me, I will scold you.”

So, the next time you find yourself visiting Science Central, you might consider taking a moment to thank Freya. After all, she is an integral part of the exhibits we all have come to enjoy.

1990 – Granted non-profit status from the IRS as “Science Central”1995 – Science Central opens

1992 – Start science outreach programs in the community1991 – City of Fort Wayne approves use of this building

76

Do you know what your family will be doing? Have you considered sending your kids to one of Science Central’s Summer STEM Camps?

We offer a wide variety of half-day, full-day and week-long options for budding scientists ages 3-13.

Our camps cover everything from magnetism, electricity and robotics, to surviving a zombie apocalypse. There are even camps focused specifically on utilizing the cutting-edge theater and computer technology available with Science on a Sphere. Can’t commit to an entire week? No problem! Summer can be a very busy time. All of the Half-Day and Full-Day Camps can be purchased on an a la carte basis.

• Monday, June 15 – Mini Mad Scientist (NEW)• Tuesday, June 16 – Art in the Cosmos• Wednesday, June 17 – Seuss Science• Thursday, June 18 – Magnetic Magic• Friday, June 19 – Mud Makers (NEW)• Monday, July 20 – SciDIY (NEW)• Tuesday, July 21 – Bubble Festival• Wednesday, July 22 – It’s Electric!• Thursday, July 23 – Claws, Jaws and Paws• Friday, July 24 – R is for Robot (NEW)

• June 8-12: Junior LEGO Robotics - Ages: 5-8 - Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• June 8-12: Introduction to LEGO Robotics - Ages: 8-11 - Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• June 22-26: Introduction to Video Maker (REVISED) - Ages: 8-11 - Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• June 22-26: Introduction to Video Maker (REVISED) - Ages: 10-13 - Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• July 6-10: Junior LEGO Robotics - Ages: 5-8 - Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• July 6-10: Introduction to LEGO EV3 Robotics - Ages: 10-13 - Time: 1:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• July 13-17: Junior Computer Programmer (REVISED) - Ages: 8-13 - Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• July 13-17: Ms. Tech (REVISED) - Ages: 8-13 - Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• July 20-24: Advanced Video Maker (REVISED) - Ages: 8-13 - Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• July 27-31: Introduction to LEGO EV3 Robotics - Ages: 8-11 - Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• July 27-31: Advanced LEGO Robotics - Ages: 10-13 - Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Aug 3-7: Science On a Sphere Mission: Design (REVISED) - Ages: 8-13 - Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m

• June 8-12 – Wild, Wild World (NEW)• June 15-19 – Don’t Try This at Home! (NEW)• June 22-26 – Storybook Science: Chapter 2 (REVISED)• July 6-10 – Zombies, Ninjas & Wizards (NEW)• July 13-17 – Adventures in Gross Anatomy (NEW)• July 20-24 – SciDIY (NEW)• July 27-31 – Studiology (NEW)• Aug 3-7 – Don’t Try This at Home! (REPEAT)

Half Day STEM Camps:

Full Day STEM Camps:

Cost: $20 members per day/$25 non-members, ages 3 to 5, time 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Cost: $25 members per day/$30 non-members,5 Days $112.50/$135 non-members, ages 5 to 11, time 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Week Long Tech Camps:Cost: $115 members per week/$125 non-members

Summer Camps

IT’S TIME FOR SUMMER

CHECK OUT SCIENCECENTRAL.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS!

SUMMER BREAK IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

CHECK IT OUT

Science Central recently added seven new exhibits to its collection: Mega Wire, Hyperbola, Generation Station, the Bicycle Generator, Magnattractive, Giant Tuning Fork, and Balance Stick. These new permanent exhibits explore the power of perception, motion, magnets, sound, balance and even geometry in typical Science Central fashion.

Having a continuous flow of new, hands-on exhibits is important to Science Central. It not only keeps the science center exciting and fun, but also drives visitors to return over-and-over again. Be sure to check out these new exhibits and keep an eye out for future exhibits as well.

7 New Exhibits