Calendar | Spring 2013
▶ ▼ March 3 - 9
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March 5 - March 8
Dangerous Decibels
10:30-2:30
Savvy scientists, listen up! As part of the museum's week-long Sound Bytes event, the Lab will be doing investigations into the world of noise. Do you know which sounds are safe for your ears? Explore the mechanics of sounds with different tuning forks and different mediums. Use our decibel meter to measure the loudness of your shout and your whisper!
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March 9
Brain Awareness with the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
10:30 - 2:30
Come investigate brains with the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences!
▶ ▼ March 10 - 16
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March 12 - March 16
Brain Awareness with the UNC Bowles Center
10:30-2:30
Hey, brainiacs! Put on your thinking caps, because we're exploring a mental masterpiece: the human brain. Scientists from the UNC Bowles Center are here to help us discover what makes up the human mind. Compare the brains of different animals, and create art to understand neuron pathways!
▶ ▼ March 17 - 23
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March 19 - March 23
Amazing Animal Skin
10:30-2:30
Why do different animals have different types of skin? Compare your skin to a snake and a bird using a microscope. You will even get to meet some live animals and compare them with a thermal imager!
▶ ▼ March 24 - 30
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March 26 - March 30
NanoScience
10:30-2:30
Join us for an up close look at nanoscale science, engineering and technology! We'll explore different science and technology-related activities designed to excite, engage and educate people of all ages about the science of the very small.
▶ ▼ March 31 - April 6
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April 2 - April 4
Candy Science
10:30-2:30
What's more fun than eating candy? Experimenting with it! What happens when we put a marshmallow inside a vacuum? Test different types of marshmallow candy to see what happens to them in a lower-pressure space.
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April 5
2013 NC Science Festival Kick-Off: Statewide Star Party
10:30 - 2:30
Join us for the official kick-off event of the 2013 NC Science Festival! In the Lab, we'll be investigating the properties of a vacuum -- what would happen to a marshmallow peep in outer space? Test the absorbing superpower of sodium polyacrylate, and learn what role it plays in an astronaut's daily life.
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April 6
Candy Science
10:30-2:30
What's more fun than eating candy? Experimenting with it! What happens when we put a marshmallow inside a vacuum? Test different types of marshmallow candy to see what happens to them in a lower-pressure space.
▶ ▼ April 7 - 13
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April 9 - April 13
Plants and Pigments
10:30-2:30
Ever wonder why flowers come in so many shapes and colors? Visit the Lab to conduct chemistry experiments on flowers and investigate the science behind their diversity.
▶ ▼ April 14 - 20
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April 16 - April 20
Pollen Counts!
10:30-2:30
In this lab, we will make a pollen collector and conduct a simulated pollen count. Examine different types of pollen and dust under a microscope, while learning some tips for controlling allergies.
▶ ▼ April 21 - 27
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April 23 - April 27
Testing for Vitamin C
10:30–2:30
Why is it important to get the daily recommended dose of vitamin C? Conduct a series of microtitrations to determine if your favorite drink contains vitamin C. Then compare the vitamin levels in old and fresh juice and find out what happens to juice leave it out for several days.
▶ ▼ April 28 - May 4
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April 30 - May 4
You And Your Genes
10:30-2:30
Why do we have different eye colors and hair colors? Investigate genetics, the science of inherited variation between different human beings. Extract your own DNA and create a necklace to wear it in!
▶ ▼ May 5 - 11
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May 7 - May 11
Archimedes' Principle: Floating and Sinking
10:30-2:30
Learn about Archimedes' principle in Lab this week, and find out why it's so important to plankton. Build a slowly sinking object out of cork and metal, then have a "slow race" to the bottom of our giant graduated cylinder!
▶ ▼ May 12 - 18
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May 14 - May 18
Don't Bug Me!
10:30-2:30
Have you ever been bitten by a mosquito or stung by a bee? Do these insects provide us any benefits? Investigate biting and stinging insects under a microscope and get a close-up view of your own bug bites. You will also meet some live bugs and find out what you can do to prevent bites and stings.
▶ ▼ May 19 - 25
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May 21 - May 25
Wheels
10:30 - 2:30
Join us as we conduct engineering experiments as part of the museum's event, Wheels! We'll investigate aerodynamics as we build our own racecar out of household materials before launching it up an inclined track.
▶ ▼ May 26 - June 1
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May 28 - June 1
Sunny Days
10:30 - 2:30
How do you protect yourself from the sun? In this lab, you will use UV-sensitive plastic to test the UV-protection of sunscreens, sunglasses and clothing to find out how well they block harmful rays. Then make a UV-detecting bracelet to take home!
▶ ▼ June 2 - 8
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June 4 - June 8
Cookie Chemistry
10:30-2:30
What's the science behind baking? Let's figure out how to make the fluffiest cakes and cookies. Mix up a bubbling batch of chemical concoctions with us in the Lab today!