Jemez Mountains Month at the Bradbury Science Museum

Contact: Shelley Thompson, shelley@lanl.gov, (505) 665-7778

Recent News Los Alamos scientist named Asian American Engineer of the Year Los Alamos scientist featured in NASA science update Los Alamos muon detector could thwart nuclear smugglers Wojciech H. Zurek named Phi Beta Kappa visiting scholar Four Los Alamos physicists honored by American Physical Society Los Alamos National Laboratory organizations earn seven out of 13 NNSA Pollution Prevention awards Carter Hydrick returns to the Bradbury Science Museum Feb. 15 Laboratory supports summer science program New NASA IBEX mission to carry Los Alamos instrument Beason takes top threat reduction post at Los Alamos

LOS ALAMOS, N.M., July 5, 2001 -- The Bradbury Science Museum of the Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory is sponsoring several activities July 10 to July 28 as part of its Jemez Mountains Month.

Jemez Mountains Month provides something for everyone from children to adults as part of the Summer Adventures in Science program. Participants in this month's activities can handle live nonpoisonous snakes, use acid to test for minerals in rocks and get to know local feathered friends.

From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Tom Wyant of the Laboratory's Network Engineering Group will give a presentation at the Bradbury Science Museum featuring live snakes. Participants will become familiar with local snakes, have the opportunity to view both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes behind glass, handle nonpoisonous snakes and watch Wyant demonstrate safety precautions to take when one encounters a rattlesnake.

From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, children age nine through 12 can learn about the geology of the Jemez Mountains area by doing some rockhound activities. These activities include using rock hammers to compare the hardness of local igneous rocks and testing for minerals in rocks. Register for one of the identical sessions through Monday by calling the museum at 667-8676.

Join the Bradbury Science Museum and the Pajarito Environmental Education Center Inc. for the Birds of Los Alamos workshop presented by the National Audubon Society of New Mexico and the Randall Davey Audubon Center as part of the "Birds for a Purpose" outreach program. This one day workshop begins at the museum and moves into the field to take students through an informative, interactive day where they can explore the world of birds, the diversity and habitat within their own backyards and the importance of protecting these habitats.There are two identical sessions offered.The first is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 21, for children age nine through 12.The second session is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 28, for the entire family. Register by July 13 for the first session and July 20 for the second session by calling the museum at 667-8676 or 665-0896. Reservations are limited to 25 participants. A fee of $10 will be charged to cover the costs of materials.Some scholarships are available.

Birds of Los Alamos allows participants to investigate birds by examining bird specimens, feathers, eggs, nests and owl pellets.They will be introduced to New Mexican birds and habitats through a slideshow and field-guide activities. Then the group will walk to Kinnikinnik Park next to the Aquatic Center to practice using binoculars and inventory birds in the area. Games and stories may be incorporated into the program, time permitting.

Participants should bring a bag lunch, water bottle, hat, sunscreen and good walking shoes. The day starts at the Bradbury Science Museum at 9 a.m. and then participants walk to the park at noon for lunch, bird watching and other activities. Participants can be picked up at the park at 3 p.m.

From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. July 25, children age nine through 12 can learn about volcanoes: where they are located and how they affect the region in a presentation by Chris Judson from Bandelier National Monument.Registration by July 23 is required for this event.

The Bradbury Science Museum is located at 15th Street and Central Avenue in Los Alamos. Museum hours, apart from the special events listed above are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

For more information, contact Pat Berger at 665-0896 or visit the museum's Web page at www.bsm.lanl.gov/special.shtml online.

Dates and times for Jemez Mountains Month also can be found on Los Alamos' Daily News Bulletin's Calendar page at http://dominoapp.lanl.gov/lanl/lanlevents.nsf/nb+event+list?OpenView online.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.