This past week, The Burlington Science Center hosted the January meeting of the North Shore Science Supervisors.  This organization is comprised of greater Boston Science Directors, Science Teachers, Museum Personnel, College Professors and Administrators from the Science Department at the Massachusetts Department of Education.  All of the members share the mutual goal of making Science an exciting learning experience for children and adults.

The Burlington Science Center is viewed as a pathfinder in the world of high-powered Science education.  Visitors attended the meeting to catch a glimpse of what makes the Science Center a special place for learning.

Dr. David Lyons, president of the group, chaired the meeting and shared the agenda with Mr. Vinnie Loughlin of Flinn Scientific.  Flinn sponsored the meeting and showcased some of their new products with the group.

One of the concerns shared by the group dealt with the lack of Earth Science being offered at the High School level across the State of Massachusetts.  The discussion focused on the fact that the MA Dept. of Education doesn’t offer an Earth Science exam at this time.  The result is that many Public High Schools in the State have dropped their Earth Science courses.  The group intends to share these concerns with the leadership at the Massachusetts Department of Education. The number of students entering college in the Earth Science related areas has dropped off significantly on a National level. Hopefully, our concerns will result in an increased number of High Schools offering a variety of Earth Science courses.

Ms. Pavlicek, Dave Luther, Dr. Lyons and John Papadonis demonstrated the Science Center’s famous Tesla Coil

Ms. Pavlicek shares the Science Center's American alligator "Lilly" with visitors.

Mr. Papadonis demonstrates the Science Center’s newly aquired real time Seismograph. It remarkably recorded a recent large Earthquake in Indonesia!

African Grey Parrot

Name: Crystal

Gender: Female

Age: 9 years old

Hobbies: Watching TV, listening to the radio, eating peanuts

Crystal was given to Science Center from U.S. Fish and Wildlife in 2001.  She was taken from her mother in Africa to be sold in the pet trade and confiscated coming into the country at an airport.  These parrots can sell for over one thousand dollars.

Crystal visits Burlington classrooms throughout the school year.  The Science Center uses her in many educational programs, focusing on the characteristics of birds and animal adaptations.

African Grey parrots are known to be some of the most intelligent animal species.  They have amazing vocabulary and voice mimicry skills. Check out the link below to watch an AMAZING African Grey parrot on the Animal Planet show “Pet Star.”

http://animal.discovery.com/beyond/index.html?playerId=203719213&categoryId=210013718

At Harvard University, Dr. Irene Pepperberg has done many psychological studies on the intelligence of African Grey Parrots.  Check out the website below:

http://www.alexfoundation.org/Alex_and_me.html

To learn more about African Grey Parrots:

http://www.waza.org/virtualzoo/factsheet.php?id=218-003-055-001&view=Psittaciformes

The Burlington Science Center recently spoke at the Burlington Garden Club’s September meeting. The presentation highlighted the Plant Science Curriculum in the Elementary Schools.

Garden Club members voted to appropriate funding for the 4^th Grade Annual Tulip Dissection and this year’s Growing Contest: Burlington’s Largest Sunflower.

Garden Club Executive Board presents a check to Ms. Pavlicek & Mr. Papadonis

Thank you Burlington Garden Club for your interest and support!

Click below to read about Wild Turkeys in Massachusetts.  Check out the “FAQ” section (frequently asked questions).

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/facts/birds/turkey/turkey_home.htm

Happy Turkey Day from the Science Center!

I had the pleasure of observing and photographing the Science Center’s Chilean Rose-hair Tarantula during its molt.

Click below to view pictures of “Shadow” the Tarantula as she molts.

 tarantula-molting

 Tarantulas are invertebrate animals that need to shed their complete exoskeleton in order to grow.  Molting may occur as often as once a month in young “spiderlings”, or only once every one to two years in adults. As a molt approaches, the tarantula may refuse food, sometimes for several weeks or even months. Further evidence of an upcoming molt is reduced activity, increased use of silk as it creates a webby “molting mat” and dull coloration.

When a tarantula molts it will turn onto its “back.”  Pressure changes within the molting tarantula will cause its old exoskeleton to separate at the carapace and abdomen. It will pull its legs out of its old skin much like you pull your fingers out of a glove. The cast exoskeleton looks much like a hollowed-out complete tarantula. Once the process is completed the pale-colored tarantula will rest and then spend the course of the next week growing, as its new exoskeleton hardens.  This is the time when the tarantula is its most vulnerable. Tarantulas may fully harden in 3-4 days or up to two weeks.

To learn more about tarantulas, check out links below:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/tarantula.html

 http://www.tarantulas.com/

Every 2^nd grade had the opportunity to participate in Pumpkin Science!

Each class received a pumpkin with a series of hands-on experiments including Sink or Float & the Science of Fire.  They recorded data such as pumpkin weight. Teachers also had their students’ measure the circumference and diameter of the pumpkin using both English and Metric units.  

Pumpkin Data Chart

Ms. Sheehan and student testing Sink or Float

Mrs. Screnci teaches about the Fire Triangle

What is the circumference of our pumpkin?

We love Pumpkin Science!

All 4^th grade students in Burlington had the opportunity to build and launch their own model rockets.  They learned about forces, motion and rocket design.  Rocket Day reinforced the tech & engineering standards in the Science Curriculum.  This yearly event has been widely attended and supported by Burlington parents. 

This year the event was generously sponsored by the United States Air force communication Group of Hanscom Air force Base.  BHS graduate, Amanda Gustafson, was instrumental in acquiring funds for the project. 

Mr. Pap teaching about forces

Ms. Pavlicek rides the Rocket Car

Excited students wait for launch

Up and away!

Students watching rockets in the sky

A great day for everyone!

Captain Harding Flies an RC Helicopter

We would like to thank the students, teachers and parents for all their hard work.

We would also like to thank Rick Karwan (Rick Karwan Photos) for sending us some great photos.

Eastern Screech Owl

Cricket’s Story

 Cricket came to the Science Center in Fall of 2000.  She was attacked by a cat in the backyard.  The cat proceeded to bring the young owl into its own kitchen.  The owner of the cat found the owl and called a Wildlife Center to come rescue the bird.  Her wounds were cared for and Cricket was released back into the wild. 

The Science Center is very excited to announce the arrival of a Seismograph.  As a finalist for MA Teacher of the Year, Mr. Papadonis  received funding from Hannafords Supermarkets.  The money was used to purchase the seismograph.  Once it is up and running, students will be able to observe real-time earthquake activity from around the world.