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.

On Sunday, February 21, at 1:00 pm, a brief presentation about A Time for Science, Bray Hollow Conservation Easement and Pitt County Environmental Education Center will be given at the Learning Center.  After the talk we will give a walking tour of the facility.  The event is scheduled for the Sierra Club, however all are invited.  For ease of instructions some of the Sierra Club members are meeting at the McDonalds in Ayden at 12:45 and caravaning the the rest of the way to our location.

Title: Citizen Scientists – Inaugural Presentation
Date: 3-2-2010 (Tuesday) or 3-6-2010 (Saturday)
Time: 6:30 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.

We want to get the word out to everyone who may be interested in a new program of science activities being fostered at A Time for Science Nature and Science Learning Center.  Numerous research organizations throughout the world, from uni-versities to government agencies, are reaching out to schools, students, organizations, and ordinary, everyday citizens to become involved with their research and they are soliciting assis-tance for a variety of scientific research endeavors.  Many of these endeavors involve observing and reporting on all manner of natural and environmental conditions and occurrences – such as bird, butterfly, turtle, or other animal activity; surface or coastal water quality/conditions; local rainfall, temperatures and a variety of weather occurrences as well as sky observations.  And the list goes on.

A Time for Science (ATFS) intends to become a partner and facilitator in a number of these programs, reaching out to the residents of Eastern North Carolina to become CITIZEN SCIENTISTS and to get them actively involved in interesting, fun, and very meaningful and useful research.

Not the least of these research organizations and endeavors is NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and its continuing research using its Night Sky Network.  One important research activity underway is its investigation of sky brightness (night-time light pollution) and its effects not only on the observational capabilities of astronomers throughout the world but its effects on a number of environmental issues as well.   Check out their Citizen Scientists website here.

To initiate this offering, ATFS, in partnership with the Carolina Skies Astronomy Club, invites teachers and organization leaders to join us in learning how to get involved and to foster participation in this important investigation.  An excellent PowerPoint presentation from NASA’s Night Sky Network will be given and a demonstration of the observation process will be presented.  Participants will have a chance to immediately use what they have learned by performing an actual observation.  Permission from NASA has been obtained to provide copies of the PowerPoint to teachers and leaders who may want to use it in their classrooms.  The goal is to get a number of schools, groups and individuals within Pitt, Lenoir, and Green Counties (and beyond) participating so that as many data points as possible will be sent from our region to the researchers.

Instructional presentations will be given at the A Time for Science Learning Center (directions) on Tuesday March 2nd and Saturday March 6th at 6:30 pm.  Note, you need only attend one session, but we are making two  presentations available.  Since space is limited, please indicate your desire to attend either by registering on-line at the website by e-mailing or phoning in their reservation.  See the Contact tab on the website for mail, e-mail or phone contact information.  Join the fun as well as contribute to a useful scientific endeavor.

For those teachers wishing a copy of the PowerPoint to present in class bring along a USB thumb drive on which it can be downloaded.

Registration is currently: CLOSED

On Saturday, January 23 the second day-long telescope making workshop was presented as part of the Astronomy 251 course offering at Pitt Community College.  Starting with Noble Planetarium’s adaptation of John Dobson’s famous “Sidewalk Astronomers” plans for a Newtonian reflector telescope, A Time for Science further modified the elements of both the kit materials and their assembly procedure to streamline the process and produce a less expensive but studier product.  Nine participants had fun building five 4 1/2-in, two 6-in, and two 8-in scopes.  Later that evening and in the follow week these proud “astronomers” brought their scopes out to the A Time for Science Nature and Science Learning Center for their “First Light” session in which they adjusted the optics and had a first look through their creation at the wonders of the night sky.

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