Burlington Science Center Blog

The Science Center has heard of this infamous White Red-tail from many Burlington students and residents over the years. Last Tuesday, a Burlington resident, Harold Roussell, took these wonderful photos of the White Red-Tail.  Read the amazing story below to learn more!

In June 1999 an emaciated white Red-tailed Hawk was discovered in a Bedford parking lot and brought to a wildlife rehabilitator. The bird was discovered to be a female, and was successfully brought back to health and released back in Bedford. Linda Cocca of Mass Audubon tells me she had received calls about a white Red-tail in this area as far back as 1992.

Since that time there have been many reports of this extraordinarily striking bird in the area of Route 3 from Burlington to Billerica. This abnormal plumage is called “leucism“, a term many consider more accurate than “partial albino.” A true albino would have pink eyes and pale bill and feet. The feathers on this bird appear to be entirely white except for some very pale buff feathers on the rump. The eyes are normally pigmented, but the legs appear much paler than the yellow legs of a normally-pigmented Red-tail.  (information from the Mass Audubon)

Thanks again to Harold for sharing the pictures and story.

The Science Center has an AS1 Seismograph placed in the hallway at BHS.  We have been learning how to use the machine over the past year so that it can be set-up in the lobby of each elementary building and MSMS.

As you know, there was a devastating Earthquake in Haiti at about 5PM EST, Tuesday January 12th.  When I arrived to the Science Center on Wednesday morning, January 13th, I took a look at our Seismographic Monitor in the hall.  I was amazed that the Science Center’s Seismograph recorded the Haiti Earthquake! The machine detected the seismic waves from Haiti in Burlington.

I thought you should also have the opportunity to catch a glimpse as well.

Below is a picture of the AS 1 Seismograph in the hallway, a photo of the actual monitor screen and a print-out of the Earthquake seismic waves as they occurred in real time.  The Earthquake measured 7.0 on the Richter Scale (this is a very large magnitude).  The print-out also shows the first wave hit at about 4:57PM and lasted with substantial activity for over an hour!

This unit will be set-up in your lobbies shortly and will be accompanied by a Science Center program teaching 4th and 6th graders how to use it.

We all feel for the people of Haiti and hope peace can be restored as soon as possible.

The Burlington Science Center just completed its first TV segment with New England Cable News  (NECN).  We have agreed to work with Ms. Vicki Croke on her show entitled The Secret World of Animals.  The show airs on NECN every Sunday @ 11:30 AM and 6:30 PM.

The Introduction to The Science Center is scheduled to air this coming Sunday 1/17 at 11:30am & 6:30pm.

Ms. P is also taping a segment on silky bantam chickens.  It will be aired at a later date.

This is an exciting partnership that will also afford BPS students the opportunity to participate in some of the upcoming shows!  We are hoping to give some aspiring young natural scientists the chance to broadcast on TV.  More to come regarding the use of BPS students.

American Holly is not only found as a bush, but it can grow as a tree up to a height of 100 ft.  It flourishes in moist woodland habitats from Maine to Florida and as far west as Texas.

Look at the holly twig, and you will notice that it has sharp points at the ends of each leaf.  This is to help prevent animals such as rabbits, horses, cattle and deer from feeding on it! This is an example of a Plant Defense!

The holly bush/tree is best known for its bright red berries (fruit) that mature in the fall.  These attractive berries are known to be poisonous to humans!  Eating them will most likely make you sick to your stomach.  However, they are not poisonous to birds.  Many songbirds feast on the berries throughout the winter months.

Holly twigs are commonly used in Christmas decorations for their vibrant green and red colors.

Holly wood is hard and white, close-grained and fine in texture. Once highly polished, it can be used for inlay work and carvings, and is strong enough for practical uses such as riding crops and walking sticks.  Boat builders also use it for inside flooring due to its strength.

Did you know?

There are male and female holly bushes!  Only the female bush produces the berries. However, you must have a male bush nearby in order to pollinate the female bush flowers.   If you decide to plant a holly bush in your yard, make certain that you buy both a male and female and plant them close to one another.

Two thousand years before holly became a traditional symbol of Christmas, the Romans treasured it as the sacred plant of their god Saturn. They believed holly warded off lightning strikes and witchcraft, and gave it, with small gifts attached, to each other at Saturnalia, the feast of Saturn. The Anglo-Saxons thought holly had mystical powers because it remained green throughout the winter.

Traditional weather forecasters swear by the sign that a greater number of berries on holly bushes in the autumn signify a severe winter to come.

Good Luck Symbol

The tradition of hanging a holly wreath on the door began during the 17th Century. Using branches of holly to decorate inside the home was thought to bring good luck. It was therefore used for wedding floral arrangements. Some superstitious householders hung holly on windows to ward off witches and evil spirits. Christians later adopted holly wreaths to decorate their front doors during the Christmas season.

Grow Holly at Home!

Holly bushes grow very well in Massachusetts and can be purchased at your local garden center.  Remember to buy both a male and female bush.  Planting them in your yard will not only help feed the birds, but provide your property with a little “green” color all year-round!

The Science Center would like to thank Premier Fence of Avon, MA for their donation of more than 50 feet of fence for our animal weathering enclosure.   A beautiful gate was also included in the donation.

The fence and gate were delivered shortly after Thanksgiving break.  It will serve as a barrier around the enclosure, making the animals feel more comfortable.

Special thanks to John Feerick, the owner, Joe, Ellen, and Donnie!  We greatly appreciate everything!

Check out the Premier Fence website below for all your fencing needs!

http://www.premier-fence.com

The Burlington Science Center would like to announce its new animal weathering enclosure at BHS!

This animal enclosure is located outside the Burlington High School Cafeteria.

This cage will provide an area for animals to receive exercise, fresh air, and enrichment (stimulation). The cage will also provide natural sunlight, therefore enhancing vitamin production within the animal.

This cage was generously built and donated by the Russell Family of Burlington.  Kevin, Jean, Kobe, and Maya worked on the cage this past summer.

Premier Fence of Avon, MA made a generous donation of over 50 feet of post and rail fence to surround the enclosure.

Some of the animals who will benefit from this enclosure are the Red-tail hawk, Red-footed Tortoises and Silkie Bantam chickens.  BHS students can enjoy watching these animals during their lunch.

The Science Center always dreamed of having an outdoor cage for their animals.  We can not express how thankful we are to those who contributed to this project!

Be sure to check the BHS school newspaper (The Devil’s Advocate) for an upcoming article about the enclosure.

Last month at Bridgewater State College, Mr. Papadonis was inducted as a member of the Massachusetts Hall of Fame for Science Educators.

 The Massachusetts Hall of Fame for Science Educators was established in 1991.  Its purpose is to honor Science Educators who made significant contributions to Science Education in the State of Massachusetts.

 Mr. Papadonis was nominated by Thomas Vaughn, president of the Massachusetts Science Educators Hall of Fame, Dr. Joel Rubin, past director of teacher services at the New England Aquarium and Dr. Dave Lyons, president of the Massachusetts Science Supervisors Organization. 

Papadonis grew up in Needham, MA and attended Needham Public Schools.  At the age of 16, he became an aide at the Needham Science Center.  He also taught at Marshall Simonds Middle School from 1972 to 1984.  Mr. Papadonis opened up the Burlington Science Center in 1984.

Mr. Papadonis credits his success in learning from his two mentors, Larry White and Norm Harris, and his many years at the Burlington Science Center and New England Aquarium.

Click below to learn more about the “Winter Moth.”

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/12/03/invasion_of_winter_moths_has_scientists_residents_looking_for_answers/?s_campaign=8315

We would like to congratulate the winner of our 2009 Name the Alligator Contest.  The winner is Aurora Golden from Grade 2 at Pine Glen School. 

The name Aurora chose was “Orion” (named after her brother).  She had her picture taken for the daily newspaper and received a Science Goody Bag as a Prize.

The Science Center’s Alligator was confiscated by the police from a Massachusetts residence. They are illegal to own as pets within the Commonwealth.

Orion is approzimately two years old and as an adult can grow to up to 12 feet in length.

We recently had the pleasure of having a Barred Owl visit the Science Center.  Jasper lives at a non-profit wildlife organization called Windows on Wildlife, run by Heidi Wejman.

The Barred Owl was used by Ms. Pavlicek for a Bird Program at our Fox Hill Elementary School.  The Science Center Aides also had a chance to meet this beautiful bird.