Space Foundation Discovery Center Prepares for Summer Space Gardening

Visit the Discovery Center as we launch our 2017 Summer of Discovery, ideal for all ages, June 3 – Aug. 12. This year we will be exploring what it takes to grow food in space.

Beginning Saturday, June 3, the Space Foundation Discovery Center will kick off SPACE GARDENING: Our Future Food Source. The Launch Party on June 3 will feature crafts and games and special Science On a Sphere® presentations, all included in the cost of regular Discovery Center admission. 

The Space Gardening Summer of Discovery program will feature special events, guests and activities, including:

• Introduction to Hydroponics – Saturday, June 10
• Fresh Food-Balanced Body – Saturday, June 17
• Let’s Build a Hydroponics System – Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24
• Planting Day – Friday, June 30
• Space Food – Saturday, July 8
• Hydro Fair – Saturday, July 15
• Martian Miner Adventure – Saturday, July 22
• Filtration and Conservation – Saturday, July 29
• Harvest Festival – Saturday, August 12
• Plus, much more…

Visitors are invited to help the Discovery Center decide what types of food will be grown over the summer, and to watch the progression of the plant growth throughout the summer in our garden. Be sure to pick up a Summer of Activity passport, that will get marked off with each visit to the Discovery Center for an opportunity to win exciting prizes.

Summer of Discovery is sponsored by Raytheon.

Roll Drop Bounce

Also at the Discovery Center this summer will be a special interactive traveling exhibit, Roll, Drop, Bounce. This totally kinetic and hands-on experience appeals to the wheel-spinning, ball-tossing and continuously-bouncing kids of all ages.

The physics of motion is the topic of the exhibit, but the main theme is having fun doing experiments with balls and wheels. While playing with model cars, colliding balls and catapults, visitors develop an understanding of the science of motion.

Students looking for fun science fair experiments, and all others who are curious about things that roll, drop, or bounce, should visit the exhibit before it closes on Thursday, August 31, 2017. Roll, Drop, Bounce is on loan from NRG! Exhibits and the Northwest Invention Center in suburban Seattle, Washington.

Free Events at the Discovery Center

Every month the Discover Center offers a free Family Star Party. It’s an evening of looking to the stars and discovering the wonders of the universe. This event creates a fun learning environment for the whole family and inspires the next generation of astronomy enthusiasts!

All outside activities are free to the public, and discounted admission is available for those wishing to explore the Discovery Center and Science On a Sphere® inside.

The Space Foundation Discovery Center offers events for all ages every month. See the event calendar at www.discoverspace.org/events.

About the Discovery Center

Located only five minutes from Garden of the Gods Park, at 4425 Arrowswest Drive, Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation Discovery Center is the region’s only space, science and technology attraction.

Military discounts are available. For hours, pricing and other information, visit www.discoverspace.org, or call the Space Foundation at 719.576.8000.

This article is part of Space Watch: June 2017 (Volume: 16, Issue: 6).