Helping me answer the students questions during the day of the program was fellow co-worker Adiel Fernandez. Adiel and I were very impressed with how all of these students thought completely “out of the box”. Here are some examples of the questions they had: Why do we have space and what is it for? How did planets come about? What would Mars look like if you cut it in half?

Both The New York Hall of Science and Ms. Drysdale’s class had an excellent time together and hope we can establish other connections in the near future.

Is that a mad scientist? No, it is actually the one and only Great Osmosis. Through his journey across the world studying various science concepts and combining them with magic tricks, The Great Osmosis has decided to share his knowledge with all of you! Recently he graduated a group of students from the Brevard Public School in Florida to become honorary magical scientists. Visit www.nysci.org if you would like more information about booking the Magic & Science VV Demonstration.

Besides the usual gross factor that kids always show when they see aqueous humor shooting out of the eye ball (which it did!), these children had a blast watching the demonstration. We fed off each other’s energy and, I can’t even describe how much of a rewarding experience I had with these kids and their families. One child in specific who I had the pleasure of teaching for several Virtual Visit sessions was in attendance. Her name was Rowan, and to see her smile in person was something I will never forget!

This year, the series will be entirely online, providing a great opportunity for educators from across the nation to learn and collaborate. We will be highlighting the “Best of the Dana Brain Science Educator Series” with six sessions that combine the most popular activities and materials from past years. Sessions will focus on exciting topics like brain damage and disease, memory, and the five senses with the underlying theme of learning, tying all the sessions together.

Using the course management system Moodle, each session will allow participants to access video lectures from experts in the field, readings, and classroom-based investigations as well as participate in moderated discussions with fellow educators. Additionally, all Dana Fellows will be required to create and submit a unit on the brain that consists of at least six lessons.

The series is open to K-8 educators throughout the country and participation is limited to 20 teachers, so apply now! To apply, please follow the link below and fill out the online application. The deadline for applications is December 1, 2009.

For more information please contact Michaela Labriole at mlabriole@nysci.org or 718.699.0005, ext. 569.

The dates for the synchronous sessions are January 9^th, 23^rd, February 6^th 27^th, March 13^th and 27^th. Sessions will be held from 3-6pm EST (12-3pm PST).

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zwGir5_2bx6CPABdCPjtP6Dw_3d_3d

Everyone here in the museum is excited about this month long event that will feature a Catapult demonstration, pumpkin tossing, and so much more. Stay tuned for our next installment!

We have received some feedback in the past on our old website where it was a bit difficult to find our Virtual Visit programs but, now all our programs is just a few clicks away. Once you are on the main page click Learn>Education Programs>Virtual Visits. Here you can view VV descriptions and footage. We hope you enjoy the new site and any feedback would be appreciated.

Remember as a child seeing your very first magic trick and being in complete awe of what happened. Wondering to yourself how in the world did he/she do that? Now with the help of The Great Osmosis and his magical laboratory, that wonder becomes knowledge. Be apart of an interactive scientific magic show and learn what exactly does magic and science have to do with each other.