Green TV Tip

While display technology has become more efficient over the years—liquid-crystal display (LCD) technology uses less energy per square inch than older cathode-ray tube (CRT) technology—energy use increases with screen size regardless of the technology. Some of today’s HDTVs, as a matter of fact, can consume more electricity in a year than a refrigerator.

Energy consumption varies widely between HDTVs, even between models of similar size. There are ways to ensure your new TV is as efficient as possible:

• Choose the most efficient technology. There are three HDTV technologies on the market today: plasma, LCD, and rear-projection microdisplay (commonly known as DLP, or digital light processing). A study by technology reviewer CNET found that, on average, plasma TVs are the least efficient, consuming 0.33 watt of electricity per square inch of screen, while LCD TVs are slightly better at 0.28 watt per inch. Your best choice to save energy is DLP, which consumes only 0.13 watt per inch.
  
  
• Choose Energy Star-rated models. On November 1, 2008, the EPA released new Energy Star specifications that now set maximum energy consumption limits for TVs in both standby and active modes (previous specifications applied only to standby mode). TVs that meet these new requirements (see the Related Resources) will be up to 30 percent more efficient than non-qualified models.
  
  

Even if you’re not in the market for a new TV, there are ways to reduce the energy being consumed by your current TV:

• Unplug the TV when it is not in use. TVs that have a standby mode continue to draw power even when turned “off.”
  
  
• Turn off the “quick start” option (if applicable). Just by waiting a few more seconds for the TV to warm up, you can significantly reduce standby power consumption.
  
  
• Turn down the brightness settings. Many LCD TVs also have a backlight setting that is often set in stores to be brighter than necessary for most home environments.
  
  
• Buy an Energy Star-rated digital-to-analog (DTA) converter box if you own an analog TV and do not plan to upgrade to digital by February 2009. According to the EPA, if all analog TV owners used Energy Star converter boxes, global warming pollution would be lowered by an amount equivalent to taking a million cars off the road.

Book Club Fun

Come in to the lab each month and do a lab activity that correlates with the month’s book club theme. Don’t forget to bring your book form and your punch card- 3 punches on your punch card means you get to pick a prize from our prize basket!







November Book list:

Beginning and Early Readers (ages 5-7)

How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
My Town by Rebecca Treays
Are We There Yet, Daddy? by Virginia Walters
Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney
Where Do I Live by Neil Chesanow
There’s a Map on My Lap: All About Maps by Tish Rabe
Got Geography! by Lee Bennett Hopkins
As the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps by Gail Hartman

Independent Readers (age 8 +)
Road Maps by Ian F. Mahaney
Geography from A to Z by Jack Knowlton
Mapping Penny’s World by Loreen Leedy
Mapping the World by Sylvia A. Johnson
Maps and Globes by Jack Knowlton
Maps by Dana Meachen Rau
Scholastic Atlas of the World by Scholastic Inc.
The Amazing Pop-Up Geography Book by Kate Petty
Where Am I? The Story of Maps and Navigation by A.G. Smith
Ways to Find Your Way: Types of Maps by Kay Jackson

Family Learning Day

Visit Discovery Center on Friday November 21st from 10am-4pm for Family Learning Day! Over, Under, Around the Earth. Focus on atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere—also coordinates with geography awareness month. BrainByte at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Special museum activities. Classes-30 minute class at 10 a.m. and 1 P.m for ages pre-k to 8, accompanied by a parent. 60 minute class at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for ages 9 and up, no parent required, younger than 9 MUST attend with parent—content will be geared to advanced learners.

Science Sprout Days

Visit Discovery Center Thursday November 20th from 10am-4pm for Science Sprout Days! Brain Bytes on these days will be geared to early learners. Early childhood groups, MOPS groups, play groups are encouraged to use these days for visiting the museum without fear of encountering older groups of students. Early childhood programs can be added for an additional fee, to enhance the visit. For more information, contact Hayley Budd at 417.862.9910x726

Giant Map of Asia!

The Discovery Center of Springfield and the Missouri Geographic Alliance (MGA), in conjunction with the National Geographic Society (NGS), will play host to one of National Geographic's Giant Traveling Maps . The 30 foot by 40 foot map of Asia, featuring political and physical attributes, will be on display November 11-23, 2008 at the Discovery Center located in downtown Springfield.

National Geographic's Traveling Maps tour the country's schools, bringing hands (and feet)-on geography education to tens of thousands of students each year. Designed to combat geographic illiteracy by igniting students' interest in geography, the maps and accompanying activities incorporate physical movement and games to teach students place name geography, physical geography, and cultural geography, as well as map reading skills.

Missouri Geographic Alliance Coordinator, Amy Strickland-Minor says; “The MGA is excited to be partnering with the Discovery Center and NGS to bring this highly-interactive and fun geographic learning opportunity to teachers and students in Southwest Missouri. By exploring Asia on a 1200 square foot scale, students have the opportunity to physically and mentally engage with a region of growing importance in the world of the 21 st century.”

Plan now to be part of this unique learning opportunity! This map from National Geographic is being brought to DCS in collaboration with the Missouri Geographic Alliance. Limited scholarship funds are available through the MO Geographic Alliance. To book a field trip and find out about program options using the map, contact Hayley Budd at 862-9910x726. For map scholarship info., contact Laurie Duncan at 862-9910x701.

Kid's Night at the Museum

Nov. 9, 2008 4pm-7pm
Couldn't make it to the Festival of Trees Event? Enjoy a healthy snack while participating in a live auction to benefit DCS! Enter to win a Wii and bid on an American Girl weekend for 1 adult & 2 kids! Play in the museum & be treated like a star! Only $20.00 per family.Holiday attire please.

Success!

A good time was had by all at the 23rd Annual Festival of Trees! Thanks to over 200 attendees for beating last years fundraising efforts. Discovery Center Springfield grossed over 111,000 dollars to benefit our programs. Thanks again to everyone involved in the event.