Virginia Homeschool | General Interest Items

2) General Interest Items
August 28, 2007

2.1 Lunar Plant Growth Chamber Engineering Project - Underway!
2.2 Science Saturdays - Richmond - Begins September 1
2.3 Mini-Medical School - Richmond - Register by September 4
2.4 Lunch Break Science - Richmond - Wednesdays, Begins September 5
2.5 Creation Astronomer Speaks - Hampton Roads area - September 7, 8, and 9
2.6 Smithsonian Teachers' Night - Washington, D.C. - Registration Opens September 12
2.7 Joshua's Hands Fall Festival - Loudoun County - October 6
2.8 Science Teacher Professional Development Institute - Williamsburg - November 8-10
2.9 Book Due Out on Lauren McCain
2.10 Christian Alternative to Girl Scouting
2.11 Article - Do Laws and Standards Evolve?

2.1 Lunar Plant Growth Chamber Engineering Project - Underway!

In future space exploration, NASA may need to grow plants to supplement astronaut-explorer diets. Educators and students of all ages can participate in the design, building, and evaluation of lunar plant-growth chambers. Hurry-only the first 100,000 registrants get seeds, which just returned to Earth on the Space Shuttle. Check this page for details and register now.

www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/plantgrowth/home/index.html

2.2 Science Saturdays - Richmond - Begins September 1

Science Museum of Virginia
2500 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA

Saturdays in September with activities scheduled for the whole time from noon to 4 p.m. Cost: $10/adults (ages 13 and up); $9/youth (ages 4-12), seniors (ages 60 and up) and active military; free/children 3 and under. Science Saturdays are included with exhibit admission.

The Science Museum is the place to be on Saturday afternoons. You can have a blast with hands-on activities, science demos, and interactive exhibits. See the website for more details.

September 1 is Vision Day, September 8 is Adventures In Earth and Space Day, September 15 is Que Pasa Day, September 22 is Mummy Day, and September 29 is Solar Day.

For more information, see the website or call 804-864-1400, or 800-659-1727.

www.smv.org

2.3 Mini-Medical School - Richmond - Register by September 4

Science Museum of Virginia
2500 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA

Wednesdays, September 5, 12, 19, and 26, and October 3, 2007, usually from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (See note below for September 5.) Cost: $15/series or $5/lecture (for members and any students age 18 and under); $20/series or $7/lecture for non-members. Register by September 4, 2007. Seating is limited.

The subject for this series is "Medication: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly," and features the latest health information from nationally recognized experts.

September 5 - Clinical Trials.
Note: This session begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes admission to the 7:30 p.m. showing of Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs in the IMAX® DOME.

September 12 - How to Talk With Your Doctor About Your Medications

September 19 - Medication Safety

September 26 - Personalized Medicine

October 3 - Drug Discovery: From Natural Products to Modern Design

For more information or to register, see the website or contact 804-864-1400, press 2.

http://www.smv.org/education/mini-med/default.asp

2.4 Lunch Break Science - Richmond - Wednesdays, Begins September 5

Science Museum of Virginia
2500 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA

Wednesdays in September from noon to 1 p.m. Free lectures. Pack a lunch.

Note: The topic for the one lecture remaining in August (tomorrow, the 29th) has been changed to "Light Pollution," and is presented by SMV Astronomer Ken Wilson.

September 5 - From Start to Shop: The Science Behind the Products We Buy

September 12 - The Spiraling Bio-economic Model

September 19 - Virginia's American Shad Restoration Project

September 26 - How Chocolate Goes from Cocoa Tree to Store Shelves

For more information, see the website, or call 804-864-1400 or 800-659-1727.

http://www.smv.org/education/lunchbreakscience.asp

2.5 Creation Astronomer Speaks - Hampton Roads area - September 7, 8, and 9

Dr. Danny Faulkner, creation astronomer, will speak at separate events as follows:

Friday, September 7, 2007, at 7 p.m. (The Peninsula Origin Science Association meets monthly, on the Friday before second Saturday.)

New Covenant Church (near Hampton Center Pkwy)
1079 Big Bethel Road
Hampton, VA

Saturday, September 8, 2007, at 7 p.m. (Southside Origin Science Association meets monthly, every second Saturday.)

Avalon Hills Bible Church (next to I-64, across from CBN)
5728 Indian River Road
Virginia Beach, VA

Sunday, September 9, 2007, at 11 a.m., and 7 p.m.

New Life Christian Fellowship
1116 Hillwell Road
Chesapeake, VA

For more information about these meetings, see the website or contact Richard C. Homesly at 1origin@cox.net.

http://hometown.aol.com/kjswann/osamonthly

2.6 Smithsonian Teachers' Night - Washington, D.C. - Registration Opens September 12

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Washington, D.C.

Friday, November 2, 2007, "after hours."

Smithsonian Teachers' Night will take place at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on Friday, November 2. This event is free but requires registration, and every Teachers' Night "sells out." Be among the first to know when registration opens by subscribing to the e-newsletter "Smithsonian Education News." Even if you can't come to Washington, D.C., the newsletter will let you know about new web materials such as lesson plans and teaching kits.

See the website for more information.

http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/professional_development/teachers_night.html

2.7 Joshua's Hands Fall Festival - Loudoun County - October 6

38327 Charles Town Pike
Waterford, VA

Saturday, October 6, 2007 (rain date is October 7), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Food, family entertainment of all sorts, crafts, games, pony rides, a petting zoo, and a country store are available. Support a good cause and have loads of family fun. See the website for full details, directions, and a list of items you could donate.

www.web.mac.com/rightathome/Joshuas_Hands/Fall_Festival.html

2.8 Science Teacher Professional Development Institute - Williamsburg - November 8-10

Williamsburg Marriott Hotel
50 Kingsmill Road
Williamsburg, VA

Thursday through Saturday, November 8 to 10, 2007.

The deadline for specially rated hotel reservations ($124/night) at the Marriott is October 11, but they typically sell out before then. Early conference registration is $130 by October 11; after that it is $160. Except for breakfast, meals and most field trips not included.

Homeschoolers have been invited to join fellow science educators from across the state at the Virginia Association of Science Teachers' Professional Development Institute to learn and celebrate the profession of science education. Registration includes a year's membership, awards dinner, entertainment, and Busch Gardens rides. Also included are four inspiring general sessions by the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Dr. William Kelso, Dr. John Quarstein, and Dr. Julia Cothron. Registrants will also have the opportunity to choose from over 100 hours of professional development presentations, workshops, and field trips.

See the website for more information.

www.vast.org

2.9 Book Due Out on Lauren McCain

Many of our readers will remember items in the Update last spring on Lauren McCain, a 20-year-old former homeschooler, whose faith in Jesus Christ stood out amidst the tragedy of the Virginia Tech shootings. Lifting our Eyes, by Beth J. Lueders goes on sale September 4. The subtitle of the book is Finding God's Grace Through the Virginia Tech Tragedy: The Lauren McCain Story. Lauren's parents gave their blessing to the project, along with access to Lauren's journal. Lueders said she hopes Lauren's story will inspire people who were shaken by the shootings.

www.dailypress.com/news/dp-now-mccainbook.au16,0,7428567.story

2.10 Christian Alternative to Girl Scouting

American Heritage Girls is a relatively new group for girls ages 5-18. Although there are just four groups in Virginia listed on the website, you can start a group in your area.

www.ahgonline.org/locator/results_list.php?statename=Virginia&state=VA&statesearch=Go

2.11 Article - Do Laws and Standards Evolve?

The controversy between evolution and biblical creation is about much more than just fossils and ape men. It concerns the basic questions concerning life, law, and human relationships. Most importantly: Who is Lord--God or man? It appears Darwinian evolution has often been victorious in the cultural battle and the results have been devastating. Read how Christians can address these foundational questions in the article on Vision Forum's website.

www.visionforum.com/hottopics/newsletters/newsletter.aspx?id=08-15-07