Spring Break Playshops at A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village

A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village provides playshops for kids during Spring Break week from March 26-30. Children will find an exciting selection of playshops to keep them entertained during a week off of school. Registration is required with an average cost of $21 members/$31 nonmembers per playshop, unless otherwise noted.




Playshops

LEGO® Lab
Monday, March 26, 9 a.m.–noon
Are you a LEGO® expert? Take your LEGO® skills to the next level during this popular class! Build and design…let your creativity shine! Create and construct models of buildings and machines that really work. Ages 8–12.

Introduction to Robotics
Monday, March 26, 1–4 p.m.
Interested in robotics and engineering? Participate in our popular introductory robotics lab, LEGO® Mindstorms® Robotics. Solve problems using engineering concepts, teamwork and real working robots. (This is a prerequisite to the advanced robotics class). Ages 8–12.

Owls and Other Predators
Tuesday, March 27, 9 a.m.–noon
Not what, but whooo’s for dinner? Dissect owl pellets; learn how bats detect prey and how spiders create webs in this introduction to the fascinating world of predators. Ages 5–7.

Micro Detectives
Tuesday, March 27, 1–4 p.m.
Get ready for big fun with tiny objects. We’ll gather specimens, learn to use three types of microscopes and discover the microscopic world. Try to identify a mystery object and bring a sample to see close up. Ages 5–7.

Advanced Robotics Lab
Wednesday, March 28, 1–4 p.m.
Tackle new challenges and focus on improving your programming and problem-solving skills. For students who have taken our Introductory Robotics Lab. Register early as this class is likely to fill quickly. Ages 8–12.

Fun with Fiber: A Family Playshop
Wednesday, March 28, 1–3 p.m.
Watch how wool goes from sheep to sweater as we work with felt and a variety of natural dyes. Learn about natural fibers; create felted soap and a variety of hand-dyed projects. Ages 6 & up, with adult. $24 members per parent & child/$34 nonmembers per parent & child ($5.00 per additional child, 2 children per adult).

Nature Collectors
Thursday, March 29, 10–11:30 a.m.
Preschoolers have a chance to become junior curators. After a scavenger hunt around the museum, we will sort and group our findings using magnifying lenses and stereoscopes. Parents are presented with a display at the end of class. Ages 3–5. $12 members/$15 nonmembers

Spring Break Discovery Days



Ice Age Discoveries
Thursday, March 29, 1–3 p.m.
Go back in time 10,000 years and explore what existed during the Ice Age in this hands-on paleontology lab. As a citizen scientist, help analyze samples of fossil matrix (the term for the material in which a fossil is found) from a mastodon fossil excavated in New York. Find pieces of ancient shells, bones, plants and rocks from the time when the mastodon lived. Ages 5 & up. $3 members/$3 plus admission nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased at the front desk.

Wish Upon a Star
Friday, March 30, 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Tour the constellations in StarLab7, a portable planetarium and go beyond the Big Dipper as you learn how to identify constellations. Explore myths and legends and create a constellation to take home. Ages 5 & up. $3 members/$3 plus admission nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at the front desk.



For additional information:
Info: (503) 371-3631 info@acgilbert.org www.acgilbert.org.

Volunteer during Spring Break with Apples & Arts

A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village hosts Apples & Arts during Spring Break! The children’s museum, in partnership with Marion-Polk FoodShare, provides fun, educational activities and food at no cost to local kids in need.
Apples & Arts is held from 11:45am-1:15pm during Spring Break, March 26 – March 30. We need volunteers for this event and welcome you to join us. Please let us know if you can volunteer for one day or the whole week!
Apples & Arts locations:
Salem First Free Methodist Church
Oak Park Community Church
Orchard Park Apartments
Town & Country Bowling Lanes
Meadowlark Village Apartments
Glen Creek Village Apartments
Skyline Baptist Church

Contact Michael Finlay,Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@acgilbert.org.

Museum Announces Award Winners

Pamela Vorachek, Executive Director of A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village
and John McDonald, McDonald Orthodontics

A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village recently announced the Great Friends to Kids, President’s and Volunteer of the Year Award winners at the museum’s annual fundraiser, Discover the Wonder on February 17.
John McDonald, of McDonald Orthodontics and prior museum board member, accepted the Great Friends to Kids Award in the business category. McDonald Orthodontics has generously supported the Village both as a sponsor and as a donor for many years. McDonald supports many other organizations as well, including The Boys and Girls Club, Easter Seals, Keizer Parks Foundation, Kroc Center, Salem-Keizer public and private schools, youth sports clubs and the Salem Youth Symphony Association.
The Great Friends to Kids Award in the individual category was awarded to Barb Crothers. Instrumental in organizing the museum’s annual Garden Tour & Plant Sale every June, Crothers has been involved with this event for the past 10 years. Now in its 17th year, Crothers is again dedicating her time and energy to this major fundraiser for the Village.
“Barb has changed the way we do things at the plant sale by bringing in vendors. Rarely taking a break, Barb assists with the supervision of volunteers and she is the "go to" person for plant related questions,” explains Pamela Vorachek, Executive Director of A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village.
Karla Canida, Employment Specialist for the Salem/Keizer Public Schools Community Transition Program, accepted the President’s Award on behalf of the Community Transition Program. ”The Employability Training Program of the Salem/Keizer School district helps teach important life and employment skills to students ages 16-21, with varying degrees of learning disabilities,” explains Canida. “Students have been coming to the Village early Monday mornings since 2000 to assist us in cleaning and once a month to help us clean the Bubble Room floor. The student helpers make a huge difference in the cleanliness of the Village,” states Vorachek.
The Village handed out two awards for Volunteer of the Year to individuals who made significant volunteer contributions.
The first went to Kathryn Mabey who has volunteered a total of 310 hours at the museum, 48 of which were in 2011. “Kathryn has been a terrific summer camp and workshop volunteer who has helped out with numerous events. She has also served through her Girl Scout troop to clean up the facility and as a scribe at Board meetings,” says Vorachek.
Timothy Mabey also received the Volunteer of the Year Award for outstanding dedication through volunteer efforts at the Village. In 2011, Mabey volunteered a total of 71 hours. His total for the last six years amounts to 432.9 hours. Described as an outstanding volunteer in many capacities, including helping with camps and events, his biggest service was as a morning facilities volunteer. “Every Monday morning, for the last 6 years, Timothy made sure the museum was looking good and ready go to for guests,” explains Vorachek. Mabey will be heading to college in the fall.
A.C Gilbert’s Discovery Village offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and groups. The children’s museum will celebrate (April 15–21) with a Volunteer Social on Sunday, April 15, 1–3 p.m. On April 16, from noon–2 p.m. the Village will host a “Learn about Volunteering” class.
For more information on volunteer opportunities, call 503-371-3631.

Get Charged Up with the Sizzlin' Science Videocast Contest

The Sizzlin' Science Videocast Contest has begun!
Put on your thinking caps, grab your video camera (or other recording device), choose a science experiment and pick your spot! Start in your classroom, use your backyard or find a spot in Salem's downtown core. This truly is "Science in the City." Your experiment can take place anywhere in Salem.
Once you have the experiment recorded simply upload to your YouTube account and post a link on our Facebook wall. The videocast that receives the most "likes" by February 20th will be the winner. Please include your name, the name of the experiment and location of your videocast.The Sizzlin' Science contest is your chance to win a sizzlin' prize and share your creative energy! The contest ends at 5 p.m. on February 20. The winner will be notified via Facebook on February 21.
Sizzlin' Science Videocast Prize: $50 Village Gift Certificate

Positive energy charges Sizzlin' Science in Salem!

The science of energy will electrify Salem during the Sizzlin’ Science Festival February 18-20. 'Science in the City–Discover the Energy' is a community-wide festival, organized by A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village in partnership with Portland General Electric.

Offering three days of electrifying demonstrations and explosive fun, the children’s museum at Riverfront Park in downtown Salem has teamed up with chemists, science clubs and other local organizations to offer this science extravaganza. Both at the museum and select locations throughout Salem, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in experiments and enjoy live demonstrations and shows.
To kick off this festival we are holding a videocast contest on Facebook. For contest and event details visit the museum’s website at www.acgilbert.org/sizzlinscience2012.

All events are free with admission unless otherwise noted. For more information, please call 503-371-3631. This community-wide science festival is funded in part by the City of Salem’s Transient Occupancy Tax and Portland General Electric.
www.acgilbert.org. Call: 503-371-3631

Discover the Wonder Fund-raising Dinner and Auction

Tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual Discover the Wonder fundraiser, an evening of celebration and inspiration in support of A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village.
This gala dinner and auction will be held on Friday, February 17, 5:30 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom in downtown Salem. Guests will join Executive Director, Pamela Vorachek as she highlights the museum’s contributions to the Salem community.
In sync with the museum’s mission of ‘encouraging children of all ages to learn and grow through play,’ the Young Magicians group will delight guests with slight-of-hand magic tricks. Live musical entertainment will feature Bill Hughes on guitar as guests enjoy delicious Northwest cuisine by Willaby’s Catering and Event Design.
The silent and live auctions highlight the evening with Master of Ceremonies Angel O’Casio adding his humor and talent to this fun event. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on a fantastic array of unique items including a Golf Package at Salem Golf Club, a 5 night stay in a condo at Seventh Mountain Resort, a Wine Tasting Tour of Ankeny Vineyards, a variety of health and beauty packages, decorative items for the home and much more. (Auction items subject to change and some restrictions may apply).
In addition to the featured presentation, fantastic food and musical entertainment, Discover the Wonder will announce the winners of the “Great Friends to Kids” awards, which honor individuals and business partners who have played a significant role in the past year in helping the museum realize its mission.
Supporting Sponsors of this event are Foresters and Selco Community Credit Union. Discover Sponsors include AFSCME Union of Child Care Workers, Bliss Sequoia Insurance & Risk Advisors, Dr. Marcus & Amy East and Pioneer Trust Bank, N.A. Evening Sponsors are Kraft Custom Construction, Inc., OSU Federal, Your Community Credit Union, Saalfeld Griggs PC and Salem Electric. The Wine Sponsor for the evening is EOLA Hills Wine Cellars and Seven Brides Brewing is the Brewery Sponsor.
Money raised from this event will partially support ACCESS, the museum’s community outreach program designed to give families with limited resources access to the safe, quality learning experiences provided by the children’s museum.
Tickets are $50 per person. To purchase tickets, please call 503-371-3631.

Lunar Calendar New Year Celebration at the Children's Museum!

Saturday, January 21, 1-4 p.m.

Celebrate the New Year with us again! How you ask? Other countries, including China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan celebrate the New Year based on the lunar calendar. We will have cultural crafts representing these countries, plus traditional activities and food samples.
Free with admission.

• Year of the Dragon Crafts
• Make your own paper dragon or dragon mask and celebrate the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Dragon.
• Make traditional Chinese lanterns
• Chinese New Year coloring pages and activities
• Create and play the traditional Korean New Year game of Yut
• Share traditional Vietnamese New Year or "Tet" celebrations, including food, dance, and a traditional song sung by a toddler named Mylee (2:30pm with a dance to follow)
• Play the traditional Japanese game "Fukuwarui"
• Sample traditional Chinese food and snacks for the New Year
• Learn to write your name in Chinese characters