CONGRATULATIONS!

On behalf of the entire volunteer staff and advisors at A Time for Science we congratulate all of the winners at the District 1 and 2 North Carolina Student Academy of Science and at the Northeast Regional North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair both held on the ECU Campus Saturday February 27, 2010.

Commendations are also in order for all the participants, their teachers, advisors, and their families.  These are the faces of our future scientists and engineers and are shining examples that it truly is A TIME FOR SCIENCE.

John T. Bray, Ph.D.
Executive Director
A Time for Science

In the past month some cold weather has hit us at A Time for Science. While it leaves the roads in a less than desirable state for driving, it does allow for some fantastic photographs.  See below for a couple photo albums, provided by John and Nancy Bray.

Ice Storm (1-31-2010):

Snow Storm (2-13-2010):

On Sunday, February 21, the local Cypress Group Chapter of the Sierra Club enjoyed a delightful afternoon walk throughout the  Bray Hollow Conservancy.  After a brief introduction to A Time for Science, Nancy Bray and Tom Fink led the group on a three-hour tour through the fields and woods around the several ponds while pointing out the unique features of the winter landscape and providing clues how to identify the trees by their bark, twigs and other features.  See a few action shots below.

Slideshow:

Title: Equinox Party
Date: 3-20-2010
Time: Sunset (7:15-7:30 pm)
Location: A Time for Science (Directions)
Files: Click here for a handout of this event.  Also, see the release forms on the forms/files page.

Description:

You are invited to come to the Bray Hollow Nature Center to join A Time for Science for a Equinox Party on Saturday, March 20 starting at sunset (7:26 pm).  Weather and cloud cover permitting.  Mars will be setting but Saturn will be rising and, after a period in which they were obscured, his rings will be coming back into view.  A tour of the Spring sky will be given in which we will be able to see Lepus – the spring-time rabbit – and learn how she is the source of the Easter Bunny legend.

Some highlights:

• Telescopes will be available for viewing Saturn, Mars, and other interesting night sky objects.
• A tour of the Spring Sky will be presented.
• And you will all have a chance to see the new Nature and Science Center Building.

Also, this is your chance to go to Mars!!

While at the new A Time for Science Center everyone will have a chance to register their name to be included with others on a microchip on the Mars Science Laboratory Rover heading to Mars in 2011!

Registration is: CLOSED

The report of this event can be found here and the pictures here.

The Daily Reflector highlighted some of our own in an article today, see a little bit below and click here for the full article.

At the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, being held this weekend in San Diego, scientists will hear about the latest research by presenters from Harvard, Stanford, Duke — and D.H. Conley High School.

Three students and one graduate of the Pitt County High School are among delegates representing the American Junior Academy of Science, a national honor society that recognizes high school students for their scientific research. The students, seniors Alex Haddock and Mark Poczontek, sophomore Aakash Gandhi and East Carolina University freshman Missy Buckingham will present scientific research at the event, which is America’s largest general scientific meeting.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to go to this national meeting,” said Susan Purser, who is accompanying the students along with fellow Conley science teacher Coleman Bailey. “It’s really good for building their science skills.”

We also mention some additional information here and there are some pictures here.

A Time for Science would like to make it’s facilities available for Eagle Scout or Troop Service Projects.  However, we require that you check with us first to discuss your needs.  Here are some example projects that A Time for Science has identified:

• A number of walking trail segments to cut or build
  - Each could be worked on as a separate project

• Habitat restoration
  - Removing debris still left over from Hurricane Floyd
  - Removal of invasive plants such as Kudzu and Privet
  - Grassland maintenance

• Walking trail markers

• Paddle trail markers
  - Several separate projects
  - Along both Little Contentnea and Contentnea Creeks

• Wood duck houses

• Blue bird houses

• Information Kiosk

• Benches

• Handicap Ramp

Possible programs and activities for Merit Badge/Belt Loop Achievements

• Various Sciences
  - Space
  - Physical
  - Biological
  - Geological

• Nature/Environmental

• History (based on the Contentnea Creek area)

• Other (e.g., Citizen Scientist)

Again, if interested, please contact us first.