pictures from Dairy Makes Sense

Thanks to Midwest Dairy Council and YOU, our visitors, we had so much fun at DAIRY MAKES SENSE! Here are some pictures. Enjoy!










Our Discovery Court was filled with fun activities, like Sophia the cow!

After a brief demonstration...


This little fellow started tentatively...


But soon was like a pro!


This family made butter!


Someone is very happy that he has strong teeth and bones!

Strange Things: 10 Interesting Food Facts

Join us October 8-10 for the special event DOES A BODY GOOD. Sponsored by Midwest Dairy Council, this event will include activities that help us understand food better.

Here are some fun food facts.

10. The Coconut is the world’s largest seed.

9. Honey is the only food that doesn't spoil.

8. Fortune cookies were invented in 1916 by George Jung, a California noodle maker.

7. Chocolate contains the natural substance phenyl ethylamine (PEA), which is reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love.

6. A high protein diet can result in a loss of calcium.

5. In an authentic Chinese meal, the last course is soup because it allows the typical roast duck entree to "swim" toward digestion.

4. When Swiss cheese ferments, a bacterial action generates gas, which bubbles through the cheese leaving holes. Cheese-makers call these holes "eyes."

3. Apples are more efficient than coffee at keeping people awake in the morning.

2. Eating a banana at night can aid in falling asleep.

1. Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries.



What is your favorite healthy food? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Mmmmm Breakfast Shake!

This fun recipe comes to us from our friends at MIDWEST DAIRY who are bringing MORE fun stuff to the Museum Thursday - Saturday Oct 8-10 for our special event DAIRY MAKES SENSE.






Try this at home!

Ingredients:
1 cup of fat-free or 1% low-fat chocolate milk
1/2 cup frozen banana slices
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth and creamy. Serve in tall glass or on-the-go drink container.

Nutritional Facts:
Nutritional Facts Per Serving: Calories: 270
Total Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 220mg
Carbohydrates: 35g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Protein: 15g
Calcium: 35% Daily Value

More recipes are available here.

Birthday parties at the Museum

by Kate Maze, Museum of Discovery Birthday Coordinator

Perfect for up to 16 children aged 4 to 12. Adults want to stay to have fun, too? No problem, the birthday party cost covers up to 32 adults!

Your party includes:
* a Museum Host/Hostess
* a private party room for 2 hours
* 20 official Museum of Discovery invitations
* paper products (plates, napkins, forks, cups, etc.)
* themed activities
* a live animal presentation
* lemonade for all your party guests
* party favors for all of the children.

THEMES include

FAIRYTALES


DINOSAURS



BUGS













If your child is a little older he/she can have a

PIRATE

INDIAN ANIMALS


SCIENCE WIZARD











Check out our birthday party website to learn more about each of our parties.

Why the Seasons Change

Why do the seasons change? If you guessed the seasonal alteration has to do with the Earth's distance from the sun on its elliptical orbit, you guessed incorrectly. In fact, the primary reason is the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth's axis, which causes the Northern Hemisphere to lean toward the sun for part of the year, resulting in the warmer temperatures of the summer months. Conversely, the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun for part of the year, resulting in the colder temperatures of the winter months. As you can see in the diagram below, the Earth is actually closer in distance to the sun during the Northern Hemisphere's winter season; however the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. Strange, huh?






Of course, when referring to seasons, it is important to remember that the Southern Hemisphere is different from the Northern Hemisphere; so when we are basking in the warm summer sun, those in the Southern Hemisphere are piling on their winter coats. Thus, while the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun (summer), the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun (winter).





The equator, however, is a different story. Close to the equator, the seasons do not change in the traditional sense; the equator’s two seasons are the wet season and the dry season. In reference to temperature, the equator is like one continuous summer, but due to the frequent rain and humidity, the equator is actually NOT the hottest place in the world. The temperature in equatorial regions also varies with amount of precipitation and altitude. In fact, a small amount of snow lies on the southern slopes of Volcan Cayambe, a volcano that boasts the highest equatorial altitude, in Ecuador.



Let us know what your favorite season is!

A "Bee's Eye View"

These amazing pictures of Spring crocus (Crocus vernus) were taken by Norwegian scientist-cameraman Bjorn Roslett. The top picture was taken in natural light and the bottom one in ultraviolet light. The top picture shows how the flower looks to our human eyes. The bottom picture shows how the flower looks to an insect. See the three rings of color? These help guide insects to the center of the flower so they can find the pollen and nectar...kind of like "landing strips" that airplanes use to land on runways! Read more HERE

DO THIS AT HOME:
Draw your own flower! You can use plain paper, a coffee filter, paper plate, whatever you like. Email your pictures to marketing@amod.org and you might see your picture right here on our blog!

Do you want to be on TV?

At the Museum of Discovery, you can use our "green screen" to be a weather forecaster, newsperson or more. You can see yourself on the screen.

Electrical Safety Quiz!

So, how well do you know electrical safety?


1. What should you do when your toast is stuck in the toaster?





2. What should you do if you get caught in an electric storm?







3. What should you do if you see a down or low hanging power line?
4. What should you do if your kite gets caught in the power lines?
5. True/False: Electrical current can flow through concrete.

Scroll down for the answers....





Answers:
1. Unplug the toaster and use a wooden utensil to get the toast
2. Go inside immediately and stay away from windows
3. Stay away from it and call the electric company
4. Notify the utility company immediately
5. True

How many questions did you answer correctly? Let us know; leave a comment! Also...

Join us at the Museum for GET A CHARGE OUT OF ELECTRICITY, Sept 24-26. Showtimes for the INTERACTIVE magic show by Scott Davis are:
Thurs and Fri Sept 24 & 25: 10a.m., 12 noon and 2 p.m.
Saturday Sept 26 11:30a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.)
This presentation is perfect for all ages.

In the Words of Confucius: Just Do It!

Angela Burgess is on staff at the Museum and reminded us recently of the saying

I HEAR AND I FORGET

I SEE AND I REMEMBER

I DO AND I UNDERSTAND

How true! Research has shown that people learn best when they can actually DO what they are learning. For this reason, the Museum of Discovery provides HANDS-ON activities. For example, our BACKYARD SCIENCE exhibit has a “pollination station”

You can read about which bugs like which flowers, then match the bug to the flower using a digital puzzle piece. If you get it right, you hear a DING. If you get it wrong, a buzz. Fun! Come on by and try it!

Dinosaur Night at the Museum

Do you love dinosaurs? We do too!

DINOSAUR NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM!
For Museum and AETN Members
September 10, 5:30-7pm
Museum of Discovery
AETN and Museum members will enjoy refreshments, meet the Museum’s Lilo the Dinosaur, and watch a special episode of Dinosaur Train!

To celebrate of PBSKids’ new series DINOSAUR TRAIN the Museum of Discovery and Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) are teaming up to bring you a special “members only” event.

Not a member? Click HERE to become a Museum member or HERE to become an AETN member.

The thirty minute show is appropriate for ages 3-6 (although the adults here love it too) and features both live and animated segments. Best of all, we’ll learn while we’re entertained!


Get acquainted with the lovable characters as you learn and laugh with them


The thirty minute show features two animated segments and a live action segment featuring Dr. Scott Sampson, a dinosaur paleontologist and host of Discovery Channel’s series Dinosaur Planet.

We look forward to seeing all of you on the September 10!