Fireside Chat Lecture Series
Come spend the evening by the fire for a timely tale of science in real life. Hot drinks and cookies provided by Friends of the Campbell Creek Science Center.
All programs begin at 7pm.
January 18: Wires, Wireless, and Wilderness--Alaska's WAMCATS Communication System
Between 1900 and 1936, the United States Army Signal Corps built and operated the Washington Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System (WAMCATS). Designed as an “all American” communication system connecting Alaska with the rest of the world, the WAMCATS included more than 1,400 miles of telegraph and 2,000 miles of undersea cable by the time it was completed in 1904. It also included two wireless radio stations—the first such stations in the world! Join historical archaeologist Morgan Blanchard for a discussion on the history and archaeology of the WAMCATS.
February 15: Caribou in a Warming Arctic: What Will Change Mean?
In recent years, caribou populations throughout the circumpolar north—including those in Western Alaska—have been declining. Although climate change is suspected of playing a role, the links between climate and caribou populations have yet to be established or verified. Please join us as Dr. Don Spalinger, professor of biology at the University of Alaska Anchorage, discusses the ways scientists hypothesize climate and caribou might be connected. He’ll also discuss current research aimed at unraveling the connections between climate, plant and soil communities, and caribou in Western Alaska.
March 21: Beaver!
Ever wonder how beavers chew wood all their lives but don't wear out their teeth? Or why a beaver has such a big, flat tail? Or what beavers eat in the wintertime? Come learn the answers to these questions and much more about beaver from Jessy Coltrane of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. You'll also find out where beavers are active in Anchorage and what to do when a beaver is getting "over busy" near you.
April 11: Homesteading in Alaska
When President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act on May 20, 1862, he set into motion a popular federal land program that would involve over 2,000,000 people in 30 states and territories. President William McKinley authorized the first homesteads in Alaska in 1898. Since then, over 10,000 people, including Alaska Natives, have been involved in some of the several forms of homesteading in the Last Frontier. Come learn more about the Homestead Act and homesteading in Alaska from Robert King, archaeologist and historian with the Bureau of Land Management, during this the 150th anniversary year of the start of the program.
Astronomy Series
We hope you can join us for one or more programs in our astronomy series. Hot drinks provided by Friends of the Campbell Creek Science Center. Stargazing will follow if the skies are clear.
All programs begin at 7pm.
January 12: Life Cycle of Stars
To paraphrase the late Carl Sagan, “We’re made of star stuff. Star stuff contemplating the stars!” Is this just a bit of poetry or is there scientific truth to his statement? What are the origins of the building blocks of planets and of life? And could our Sun, or another nearby star, someday turn destructive? Find out all this and more as Dr. Andy Puckett, Planetarium Director and Professor of Physics & Astronomy at UAA, explains how stars constitute a sort of “recycling program” within the Milky Way.
February 9: Dark Matter
It can’t be seen and yet it’s everywhere throughout the universe. What’s more, it has enormous significance to the gravitational infrastructure of the universe. Join Michelle Krok from the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Alaska Anchorage to find out how astronomers have observed the presence of dark matter and are studying its nature. You’ll also find out about the questions astronomers continue to ask about dark matter.
Science Saturdays
Anchorage 4-H, Girl Scouts of Alaska, and Friends of the Campbell Creek Science Center have teamed up to offer this special series for middle school youth (ages 10 to 14) and accompanying adults (parent, troop leader, or other adult mentor). Join us for one or more adventures in science and discovery!
Pre-registration is required! Program fees apply.
For more information, and to register, please contact Marianne Kerr at 786-6300 or mlkerr@alaska.edu or go online to www.uaf.edu/ces/anchorage and click on 4-H.
January 21: Do It Yourself!
Put the scientific method into action by designing and running your own experiments. Mad scientists welcome!
February 4: Animal Tracking
Strap into a pair of snowshoes and explore Campbell Tract for tracks, scat, and other evidence of animal life.
March 24: Mining & Minerals
Investigate rock chunks from active Alaska mines and connect them to everyday products. Try your hand at making a successful "edible" mine.
April 21: Letterboxing
Challenge your navigational skills with this outdoor treasure quest similar to geocaching. Learn how to find letterboxes and how to set your own.
May 5: Stream Studies
Figure out creek health by collecting creek critters and measuring pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Come with your breakup boots ready to get into Campbell Creek.
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