NORAD Santa, Tesla, 'Star Wars' activites at Space Discovery Center in December
Finding a home in the past year at the Space
Foundation's Discovery Center is one of the four Spacelabs that were used as
specialized laboratory modules in space travel from 1983 to 1998. Discovery
Center attendees can walk inside the two "halves" of the unit, as shown here.
Westside Pioneer photo
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Three special Saturday activities - one Dec. 9 and two on the 16th - are geared for science-minded youths at the Space Foundation's Discovery Center, 4425 Arrowswest Drive, off Garden of the Gods Road.
All are included with the normal price of admission - $10 for adults, with discounts for seniors, children, military and college students.
Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, the Discovery Center also includes a variety of space-related exhibits, interactive activities and the Science on a Sphere viewing theater.
The upcoming activities are listed below.
- Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., “NORAD Tracks Santa” -
“A team from NORAD will be on location, demonstrating how they use four high-tech systems to track Santa - radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jet aircraft,” a press release states, adding that the team will also discuss how the tradition of tracking Santa's progress “inspires children around the world to think about how space technology and exploration play an increasingly important role in our daily lives.”
- Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon, “Tesla's Toolbox: Holograms” - The Discovery Center offers different Tesla workshops on the third Saturday of the month. Named for early 20th century engineer Nikola Tesla, who conducted experiments in Colorado Springs, such programs are “meant to encourage creativity and exploration in STEM fields - science, technology, engineering and math,” a press release states. Ages 10 and up.
- Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., “A Far Away Galaxy” - Attendees are invited to dress as “Stars Wars” characters. Timed for the release of the latest movie, activities will include a “Star Wars”-themed Science On a Sphere show, “out of this world” crafts and games, “Wookiee cookie decorating” (12:30-1:30) and “Jedi training” (2-4 p.m.), a press release states.
Started in 1983, the Space Foundation provides advocacy and education regarding space travel.
For more information, call 576-8000 or go to the Discovery Center's web page: discoverspace.org.
Westside Pioneer/press release
(Community:
Space Foundation)
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