First Night Springfield

Looking for a safe, family friendly way to spend New Year's Eve? Enjoy free admission to Discovery Center from 6-11pm during First Night Springfield with purchase of First Night sticker. (Discovery Center memberships do not apply for this event.) Event includes multiple downtown venues like Discovery Center and Jordan Valley Park. Admission for the evening: $7 advanced stickers, $25/family 4-pack. $8 night of, $30/family 4-pack, children 3 and under free. Call: 831-6200 for advanced stickers. Brought to you by Pension Consultants, Inc.

New Exhibit~ Build A Lunch

On your next visit to Discovery Center be sure to stop by our newest exhibit! Build-A-Lunch is designed to help visitors investigate choices in generating as little trash as possible when making a lunch. Visitors decide the type of carrier in which to pack lunch, which type of packaging to choose for a sandwich, which type of snack to add, and which drink container to use. The exhibit helps identify information to consider when making choices such as whether the item is biodegradable, reusable, convenient etc. Build-A-Lunch was made possible by a grant from Community Foundation of the Ozarks, and is part of DCS’s Environmental Pathway program, a self-guided scavenger hunt that enables visitors to explore the variety of sustainable practices used throughout the LEED gold certified green building.

A Green Holiday

Statistics show that waste generation skyrockets during the holiday season. The city of Springfield's Solid Waste Management Division has a number of suggestions to reduce holiday waste.




Here are a few ideas:

• Reduce and reuse wrapping:. Make the wrapping part of the gift. For example, wrap kitchen items in a kitchen towel.

• When shopping, consolidate purchases in one bag.

• Save gift boxes, bows and ribbons for next year.

• Carefully plan errands and shopping to save fuel and lessen pollution.

• Recycle your old electronics if you get new ones.

• Take your tree to the end of season collections around town to be used for mulch.

• Do not burn wrapping paper. The colored paper contains lead and other heavy materials.

• Mistletoe is highly toxic to children and pets. Use artificial rather than the real thing.
  

Comment on this post and share your green holiday tips with us!

“What I Can See!” Campaign

2009 celebrates the 400^th anniversary of the invention of the telescope. In hopes of raising awareness about astronomy, we have set the goal of getting 150,000 people to look through a telescope in 2009. This is approximately the population of Springfield, Missouri. We will offer a star party once a month where anyone can come down and look through a telescope, then register as a participant in the project. This is a community building event, so feel free to bring down your telescope and “WOW” your neighbors with everything you know, or come down and look through a neighbor’s telescope and be “WOWED!” The Springfield Astronomical Society has partnered with DCS to offer their expertise and knowledge, and to make sure everyone has a chance to see all the amazing objects in our universe! Star Party on Patio Free, admission applies for entering the museum. Can't make it to one of our organized events? That's ok! Use your telescope at your convenience and log your expereince by commenting here! Tell us what you saw!

Downtown Springfield Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 13th at 1pm there will be a Christmas parade in downtown Springfield. Stop by Discovery Center before the parade for hot chocolate provided by a downtown church and enjoy the center! Discovery Center will provide parking to members for free and for those goign to the parade only for $4.00. There will be street closures between 10am to approximately 4pm along the parade route.

Volunteers Dig In!

Discovery Center thanks Michael Lewis and Dave Pestl with Nature's Image for sprucing up the outside of DCS in September! Michael was completing his Eagle Scout project and coordinated a work day to trim trees, plant bushes, weed, mulch, power wash, and pick up trash!

Name NASA's Mars Rover!

Check out the "Name NASA's Next Mars Rover" contest. By writing a short essay, K-12 students can suggest a name for the new Mars Science Laboratory rover. Entries must be received by January 25, 2009.

In the spring, you'll have another chance to participate. Once NASA has 9 finalist names in March, you can vote on your favorites. Stay tuned for more info!

Thanks Davis, Lynn, & Moots!

We want to thank our friends at Davis, Lynn, & Moots for their recent donation to DCS! Davis, Lynn, & Moots chooses different not-for-profit clients to help each month. Their staff are allowed to wear blue jeans on casual days as long as they donate to the cause.

We received a number of items from small to large to use in both exhibit space and education.

Chris & Sarah's Wedding Nov. 30, 2008

Sarah & Chris had every aspect of their day planned in detail with a unique touch. From the vintage theme, to the special chocolate milk toasts, Sarah & Chris wanted something special, different, & meaningful to them. Everything was beautiful and well thought out, start to finish, and we feel so privileged to be able to be a part of your day with you and your family.
Photos provided by DColemanPhotography

Parent's Night Out

Need to do some shopping or just have some time alone? Take advantage of chaperoned play for ages 4-6th grade at Discovery Center while you enjoy an evening out. Pre-payment and pre-registration required . Cost is $25 for Discovery Center Members and $30 for non-members for 1st child. Additional children are $10 each. For availability information and to register, contact 417.862.9910 x706.