Schedule of Events & Logistics
Schedule of Events and Special Exhibits
MAP of BJC surrounding area
11:00am: Question & Answer session with Dr. Jim Pawelczyk, a former NASA Astronaut
11:45am: Moon Tree planting on the grounds of the Bryce Jordan Center
2:45pm: Door Prize drawing
3:15pm: Rocket launch by the Student Space Programs Laboratory (weather dependent)
All Day: The Space Shuttle "Blake" - a 50 foot scale model of The Space Shuttle "Discovery"
All Day: Planetarium shows sponsored by Juniata College
Participating Organizations
Earth and Environmental Systems Institute
Pennsylvania Space Astrobiology Research Center
Biomedical Sciences Club
Penn State Ice and Climate Exploration
Astronomy and Astrophysics Department
Food Science Club
International Year of Astronomy Ambassador
The Center for Science and the Schools
Plant Reproduction Biology Group
Academic Space Alliance Schools
School of Forest Resources
Alpha Chi Sigma
NASA Swift Gamma Ray Burst Explorer Mission
PSU Dept. of Meteorology
Center for Nanoscale Science
PSU Adv. Vehicles Tech. Team
Society of Physics Students
The Student Space Programs Laboratory
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering - Intelligent Vehicles and Systems Group
PSU Mars Society
Aerospace Engineering Department
NASA PA Space Grant Consortium
Nittany Chemical Society
Department of Nutrition
State 4-H Program
Entomology "Bug Room"
Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum
Central PA Observers Astro Club
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Science Lions
Eberly College of Science - Science U
Map of Exhibitor Booths: Click here for a layout of the Exhibitor Booths
Schedule: Exploration Day runs from 10am-3pm on Saturday, April 18th, 2009
All of the interactive science exhibits will also be open during that time. Click here for a Schedule of Events
Logistics
Parking: Parking is FREE! See the parking section for more information.
Food: There will be a consession stand at Exploration Day for those that would like to purchase their lunch.
This year we have The Space Shuttle "Blake" - a 50 foot scale model of the NASA Space Shuttle that has been built from a school bus, and a planetarium. "Blake" will be located outside on the corner of University Drive and Curtin Road. Attendees will be able to see the inside of "Blake" on a first-come-first-served basis. We recommend that you dress for the weather (rain or shine) since the line to get into the exhibit might be long.
The mobile planetarium will be inside the South Annex. Tickets are required to get into a planetarium show, but they are FREE and available at the Welcome Table.
The planetarium will show "Stories of the Stars: The Mythology Behind Constellations".
Shows will run during the following times:
10:00-10:15 - Show 1
10:25-10:40 - Show 2
10:50-11:05 - Show 3
11:15-11:30 - Show 4
11:40-11:55 - Show 5
12:40-12:55 - Show 6
1:05-1:20 - Show 7
1:30-1:45 - Show 8
1:55-2:10 - Show 9
2:20-2:35 - Show 10
2:45-3:00 - Show 11
The "Moon Tree" will be planted at 11:45am near the Mezzanine Entrance, at the "C Gate" of the Bryce Jordan Center. The moon tree is descended from seeds that flew around the moon on the Apollo 14 Command Module and will be planted this year to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Missions. The turfgrass at the base of the tree is descended from grass seeds flown around the Earth on STS-90 with Dr. James Pawelczyk, a former NASA astronaut and Professor of Physiology and Kinesiology at Penn State.
Clothing: Exploration Day is held inside at the Bryce Jordan Center - South Annex, but there are a number of special exhibits and events that will be outside. Especially if you would like to see "The Space Shuttle Blake" we recommend that you dress for the weather (rain or shine) since the line to get into the exhibit might be long.
Prizes: Each child will have the opportunity to collect a science-related prize at Exploration Day. Prize sheets will be handed out when they arrive. Children 6 and above will need to get 25 'punch-outs' from the exhibitors (one per exhibitor). Children 5 and under will need 10 'punch-outs'. Once they have obtained the required number of 'punch-outs' they can come to the Prize Table and choose one of any prize that they would like.
List of Exhibits and Organizations:
50+ Interactive Science Exhibits and Events on: Astronomy, Aircrafts and vehicles, Biology, DNA, Rocketry, Bugs, Earth’s History, Robotics, Physics, Fossils, Telescopes, Planetarium, Ice climates, Electricty, Metals and polymers, Geology, Ecology...and Many More!