Prechool is closed today!

Due to the snow, we have closed the Preschool for today. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Discover Your Smile! Kids' Photo Contest

March 26-30
Spring Break Week!

Bring your child to the museum during spring break and let Stalnaker’s Photo studio take their picture! This special portrait session and smile photo contest is only $15. Your family receives two professional 4x6 prints from Stalnaker’s Photo Studio, plus the chance to win an awesome prize (see below). The proceeds from this contest support educational programs at the museum—a win-win for everyone! Space is limited; walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. To register see details below. Judges will select two winners for the “best smile” for each age category. Winners will be announced by the end of April.

To enter:

1) CALL Stalnaker’s Photo Studio at 503-581-0101 to reserve your child’s sitting. You may also email your reservation request to info@stalnakersphotostudio.com.

2) COME to the museum during your scheduled time and pay just $15 for your professional portrait session.

3) PICK-UP photos after spring break at Stalnaker’s Photo Studio: 321 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301.

Discover Your Smile! Children’s Photo Contest Prizes:

Two prizes in each category will be awarded:

1. A two year family membership to the museum (valued at $130).

2. Basic photo package at Stalnaker’s Photo Studio (valued at $150).

This photo contest is open to children from birth to age 12. Groups of children are not eligible for the contest. For more information visit our web site at http://acgilbert.org/

Get connected: Like us at facebook.com/gilberthouse

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.