Sci-Port Blogger

11th Annual High School Engineering Olympics winners announced

2012-02-23T12:09:00.004-06:00

High School Engineering Olympics, a photo by Al Bohl on Flickr.

This week, 80 high school students came to Sci-Port to participate in our 11th Annual High School Engineering Olympics. Students from River Oaks Academy, Captain Shreve High School, Byrd High School and Bossier High School took part in engineering challenges, which covered mechanical, robotics, structural, acoustic and electronics engineering. Engineers from around the area, including SWEPCO, Louisiana Tech and Honeywell UOP’s Robert Newberry volunteered to help judge the contestants.

Winners from this year’s High School Engineering Olympics are:

Robotics Challenge Winners
Bossier High School (1st): Danielle Jasper; Rahim Sindhuani; Ed Siordia and Jessica Alorenga
Byrd High School (2nd): Hayden McBride; Alex Inabnet; Stephen Downer and Anthony Dudley
Captain Shreve High School (3rd): Garrett Chandler; Marshall John; Wes Prevot; Ronderick Kirkendall and Trevor Williams

Mechanical Engineering Challenge Winners Byrd High School (1st): Chad Scott; Steven Riser; Josh Scott; Christine Schimpf and Hanna Unverzagt
Bossier High School (2nd): Amber Williams; Kameisha Bridges; Courtnie Mason and Laschae Gadson
Captain Shreve High School (3rd): Zach Thomas; Taylor Wiegand; Isaiah Kelly; Jerrod Miller and Ashley Deal
River Oacks Academy (3rd): Kaitlyn Clark; Spencer Stewart and Walker Thurmon

Structural Challenge Winners Bossier High School (1st): Roslin Tapar; McKenzi Gordano; Martina VanBerkon and C.J. Modica
Captain Shreve High School (2nd): Mary Payne; Miller Lewis; Warren Clardy; Colin Reeves and Sarah Evans
Byrd High School (3rd): Matt Sharp; Paul Arcement; Paul Snyder; Matt Puller and Ryan Anthony

Acoustic Engineering Challenge Winners Captain Shreve High School (1st): Irvin Carmack; Zach Murphy; Andrew Bingham and Grayson Perkins
Byrd High School (2nd): Jessica Miller; Michael Bowers and Fatima Lott
Bossier High School (3rd): Kaitlyn Huff; Ashley Lyons; Hayden Thorn and Jessica Douglas

Electronics Challenge Team Roster Bossier High School (1st): Ariana Collins; Anthony Guiao; Ryan German and Matt Nunn
Byrd High School (2nd): Darrick Landreneau; Blake Jones; Joe Taravella; Taylor Whitaker and Jake Ricou
Captain Shreve High School (3rd): Alaina Wilson; Jocelynn Brazill and Andrew Boyter

Sci-Port’s celebration of National Engineering Week (February 20 – 26) was made possible in part by the Louisiana Engineering Society – Shreveport Chapter.

Pictured above are students from Captain Shreve High School participating in the Tuna Car Challenge. This activity comprised of a can of tuna and compact discs; the students were to build a car powered by the weight of the falling tuna can.

BODIES REVEALED opens to the public Saturday, January 28

2012-01-24T15:19:00.004-06:00

BODIES REVEALED opens Saturday, January 28 to the public, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

On Saturday, BODIES REVEALED opens to the public at Sci-Port and is open through May 21.

BODIES REVEALED will feature 12 full body specimens and over 185 partial specimens and organs. It will take visitors through a series of galleries providing an up-close look inside the skeletal, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, circulatory and other systems of the human body. At the end of the blockbuster Exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to handle organs that have been preserved using the polymer preservation process at an interactive touch booth.

Several new programs and demonstrations will be available to both school groups and the public. Plus, What’s Your Type? …Blood That Is! will take place on Friday, February 10. Admission to this speed dating event includes admission into BODIES REVEALED as well as blood-typing!

By the way, did you know Humans shed approximately 600,000 particles of skin every hour? That’s approximately 1.5 pounds a year. By 70 years of age, an average person will have lost 105 pounds of skin!

Marion Smith begins 19th year with Sci-Port

2012-01-20T11:13:00.001-06:00

Sci-Port's Marion Smith, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

In January 1994, Marion Smith was searching for a part-time job while she was in school at Bossier Parish Community College studying respiratory therapy. It was after the holidays, and she was looking for some money to earn on the side. On January 11, 1994, Marion was hired on the spot for an organization that would later be known as Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center.

Eighteen years later, Marion is the longest tenured employee of Sci-Port. As the Visitor Services Manager and Special Events Coordinator, Marion oversees daily visitor interactions, such as customer service, miscellaneous inquiries and facility rentals. Each morning, Marion warmly welcomes the visiting school groups; visitors of all ages and groups are Marion’s number one priority.

Thank you, Marion, for the dedication and commitment you have served and continue to serve at one of the nation’s top 10 science centers.

Sci-Port's 2011 Star of the Year is Tony Hall

2011-12-20T16:42:00.002-06:00

Sci-Port's 2011 Star of the Year is Tony Hall , a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

Operations Assistant Tony Hall was awarded Sci-Port's 2011 Star of the Year Award earlier today. This is the second year Hall has taken the title.

As a Sci-Port employee for five years, what Hall loves most about Sci-Port is, "the variety of work I do on a day-to-day basis."

You can most likely find Hall on the Center's floor managing daily operations under supervisor Trey Hunt. "Tony is always on time; he's always willing to do the work that you ask him to do with a smile," said Hunt. "He's the cog that holds the wheel together."

With his positive attitude and a readiness to work, Hall certainly is our Star of the Year.

Sci-Port's First Lego League Regional Robotics Competition happening now

2011-11-19T13:59:00.002-06:00

Sci-Port's FLL Regional Robotics Competition happening now , a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

Two students from W.T. Lewis Elementary School in Bossier (pictured above) competed today with twelve other teams during Sci-Port's First Lego League (FLL) Regional Robotics Competition.

"Food Factor" is the theme of this year's competition, and it allows students to understand how food travels from the farm, to being processed, and eventually onto the dinner table. The mission covers topics including safety, engineering and resources needed to transport the food from the field to your table.

Nine teams will be chosen today to advance to the Louisiana Regional Championship Tournament on December 10 in New Orleans. Those winners will then compete in the FLL World Festival in St. Louis, Missouri in spring 2012.

Fourth through eighth grade students from Ruston, Caddo and Bossier parishes participated. The program enhances STEM education taught in the classroom.

Born to be Wild now showing at Sci-Port; enter to win movie poster & tickets!

2011-11-03T15:45:00.004-05:00

Born to be Wild now showing at Sci-Port; enter to win poster & tickets!, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

Were you Born to be Wild? Screening in Louisiana’s only IMAX Dome Theatre is Born to be Wild, a film that documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them, thus saving endangered species one life at a time. The 40 minute film is narrated by Academy-Award winner Morgan Freeman.

The film has received a 98% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes in addition to the Giant Screen Cinema Association awards from earlier this year; these include Best Film Produced for the Giant Screen, Best Film for Lifelong Learning, Best Cinematography and Best Original Score.

We invite you to come join our wild side and see the film! Check out the showtimes here, and let us know what you think. Plus, become a Member of the Sci-Port Blogger, and your name will be entered in a random drawing to win a 27” x 40” movie poster and two tickets to see the film! Drawing will be held on Friday, November 11. Call Karen at (318) 424-8678 for more information or questions.

Update: Christine Bradley of Shreveport was the winner of the Born to be Wild ticket giveaway!

Thank you, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, for the donation towards our annual Tricks & Treats Night!

2011-10-05T16:01:00.002-05:00

Thank you, Chesapeake Energy Corporation!, a photo by Kourtney Washington on Flickr.

Sci-Port recently received 800 recyclable bags from Chesapeake Energy Corporation for our Tricks & Treats Night attendees. Jennifer McMenamin, Director of Development & Marketing, along with the rest of Sci-Port’s staff, sends a huge Thank You to Chesapeake for all that they do for the Center as well as the community.

Have you registered for our Tricks & Treats Night? Register before Noon on Saturday, October 29, to receive $1 off admission for each family member. Don’t miss a night of LIVE critters, Carnival Corner tricks and a homemade costume contest! Plus, lots and lots of CANDY! Call (318) 424-8660.

Tricks & Treats is sponsored in part by Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Shreveport Convention Center and Super 1 Foods.

NASA's Tweetup: 150 of NASA's Twitter followers will be invited to MarsRover Launch

2011-09-29T15:09:00.002-05:00

NASA's Tweetup, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

PASADENA, Calif. - NASA will host a two-day launch Tweetup for 150 of its Twitter followers on Nov. 23 and 25 at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Tweetup is expected to culminate in the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V541 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The launch window is scheduled to open at 7:21 a.m. PST
(10:21 a.m. EST) on Nov. 25.

The Tweetup will provide NASA's social media followers with the opportunity to tour Kennedy Space Center; speak with scientists and engineers; and, if all goes as scheduled, view the spacecraft launch.
The event also will provide participants the opportunity to meet fellow tweeps and members of NASA's social media team.

Curiosity's arrival at the Red Planet is anticipated in August 2012 at Gale crater. During the two-year prime mission, the rover will investigate whether a selected area of Mars offered environmental
conditions favorable for microbial life and for preserving evidence about life if it existed.

Mars Science Laboratory is the fourth space mission launching this year managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The first three are Aquarius, launched June 10 to study ocean salinity; Juno, launched Aug. 5 to study the origins and interior of Jupiter; and the twin GRAIL orbiters, which departed for the moon on Sept. 10.

Launch management for the mission is the responsibility of NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Tweetup registration opens at 9 a.m. PDT (noon EDT) on Wed, Oct. 5, and closes at 9 a.m. PDT (noon EST) on Fri., Oct. 7. NASA will randomly select 150 participants from online registrations.

For more information and rules about the Tweetup and registration, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/tweetup.

Sustainable Choices, our latest traveling exhibition, opens today

2011-09-16T10:13:00.003-05:00

Sustainable Choices opens today, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

Sustainability, which is usually defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, is the topic of Sustainable Choices, the latest traveling exhibit housed in Sci-Port’s REGIONS Exploration Gallery. The exhibit is sponsored by Carolyn W. & Charles T. Beard Family Foundation and Gannett Foundation and opens to the public today.

With the tag line, “Living today with tomorrow in mind,” the exhibit answers questions such as: What is sustainability, and what does the word sustainable mean? Why would one think that living sustainably would be important? What are the benefits of maintaining a sustainable lifestyle? Who will be most affected by it, and when? Sustainable Choices examines the issues involving laundry, recycling, composting, light bulbs and transportation and explains how to calculate your carbon footprint.

While all choices have environmental trade-offs, this hands-on interactive exhibition can help visitors of all ages make informed decisions about how to live more sustainably. In addition to “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” Sustainable Choices invites visitors to “re-think” too.

In keeping with the Center’s strategic plan of bringing current and relevant environmental science to the community, new programs, including several sponsored by the AEP Foundation, will complement the exhibit:

•Global Air Game – What is ozone, and how does it affect air quality?
•Edible Compost – Learn how and why to compost, and enjoy a tasty treat.
•Kitchen Composting with Wiggly Worms – Learn how to compost kitchen waste with worms.
•Watt’s up with Electron’s House? – Learn about the many different ways to save money and the environment while interacting and exploring within Electron’s house.
•The Rainforest Game – Get up and move to a popular game while learning about the impact of losing our rainforests.
•Become a Water Ambassador - How precious is our water? What’s the big deal about conserving water? Stop by, and find out as you make your own water ambassador bracelet.

The exhibit is accessible to visitors during normal operating hours. Sci-Port's fall hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, Noon -6 p.m.

A special thanks to the Sci-Port Summer 2011 floor staff

2011-08-16T13:28:00.003-05:00

Sci-Port Summer 2011 Floor Staff , a photo by Al Bohl on Flickr.

This summer was a blast at Sci-Port, and it wouldn't have been so great without the dynamic group of Pilots we have on our floor staff team! Count on these team players to bring you exciting and relevant science each time you walk through our doors.

Pictured are:
Front row (left to right):
Cecelia Vergo, Revenue Programs Coordinator Ashleigh Perkins & Floor Coordinator Tracy Crow

Middle Row:
Walker Gamble, Haley Jones, Lexi Ross, Jennette Ginsburg & Monica Gehrig

Top Row:
Floor Manager Alan Brown, Outreach Coordinator Brandon Salley, DeNetra Griffin & Tom Davis

Thank you to all the staff and visitors that made this summer's Stay-cation at Sci-Port awesome!

Fans of all ages enjoy the TIV II at Sci-Port this week

2011-08-12T11:45:00.002-05:00

Fans of all ages enjoy the TIV II at Sci-Port this week, a photo by Jenny Harveaux Truax on Flickr.

This week, Sci-Port staff and visitors have had the opportunity to climb inside the Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV II) used by the Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers series stars Sean Casey and Marcus Gutierrez. Sean and Marcus were on-site on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the TIV II will be housed inside the Center through today. Fans blew in from all over the area to meet Sean and Marcus, and on Tuesday evening, two special screenings of Sean's IMAX film, Tornado Alley, were shown in our IMAX Dome Theatre with a question and answer session after both screenings with the stars. Tornado Alley will be playing at Sci-Port through September 30. It is presented locally by KSLA StormTracker 12.

Thank you to the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau for making the events this week possible.

Fans of Sci-Port's Facebook page are uploading pictures taken this week with the TIV II, Sean and Marcus. The photo above was submitted by Jenny Harveaux Truax. Find us on Facebook, and upload yours!

Meet Sean Casey at Sci-Port August 9 & 10 with the TIV II

2011-07-25T14:49:00.004-05:00

Sean Casey to be at Sci-Port August 9 & 10 with TIV II, a photo by Sci-Port on Flickr.

Sci-Port is thrilled to bring the stars of both Tornado Alley and the Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers series Sean Casey and Marcus Gutierrez, along with the Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV) II, to the Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 9 and 10. Casey's appearance is a complement to the Center's latest IMAX film, Tornado Alley, which is presented locally by KSLA Stormtracker 12.

Programming and activities featuring Casey and the TIV support Sci-Port's mission of bringing relevant and current science to the community. Visitors will have the opportunity to look inside the 14,000 lb vehicle; pose for a picture with Casey and driver Marcus Gutierrez; win a ride in the TIV II and attend a special screening of Tornado Alley with Casey. Events are sponsored by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau.

Plus, enjoy a Night with the Twister Chasers on Tuesday, August 9, with two special reservation-only screenings of Tornado Alley at 4:30 and 7:45 p.m. Casey will open both screenings with an introduction to the film and close each with a brief Q&A segment. A reception will follow the first screening at 6 p.m. with a spaghetti dinner provided by MES Foods. Cost for this event includes one IMAX ticket, one dinner reservation, a mini-poster autographed by Casey, unlimited photo opportunities with the TIV II and a chance to speak with Casey himself!

Prices: $25 for Adult Members; $10 for Child Members; $30 for Adult Non-Members & $15 for Child Non-Members. Registration for this event is online only here; there will be a 72 hour Members-Only registration from 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, July 26 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 28. Members may purchase up to the number of tickets their membership allows. Non-Members may purchase four. Reserve your spot now; space is limited!

Plus, make sure to "Like" Sci-Port on Facebook -- there will be TIV II and Tornado Alley promotional giveaways from our page! Children must weigh at least 60 pounds to ride in the TIV II; children 12 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

We'd also like to give a special thanks to Lloyd's Towing and Holiday Inn Downtown for their in-kind support.

Sci-Port thanks the staff of ARC for their in-kind services

2011-07-21T16:19:00.002-05:00

Sci-Port thanks the staff of ARC for their in-kind services, a photo by Jennifer McMenamin on Flickr.

Earlier this week, Don Razinsky and his staff at ARC (formally Ridgway's) were brought a personalized plaque and lunch by Sci-Port staff for their tremendous amount of in-kind donations over the years. Sci-Port thanks ARC for their continued support.

Campers swam, hiked & fished at our Overnight Nature Lab @ Kamp Keachi

2011-07-12T16:47:00.001-05:00

Campers swam, hiked & fished at our Overnight Nature Lab @ Kamp Keachi, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

From Tuesday, July 5 to Saturday, July 9, campers ages 8-12 had the chance to learn science while enjoying nature. They collected critters, caught and dissected fish, identified plants and wildlife through nature walks, learned frog calls, studied pond ecology, stargazed and much more! Pictured above are the campers creating their name tags, creatively made out of chopped wood pieces. What a great week!

Bring your little one to Sci-Port on Wednesdays for Itty Bitty Scientists

2011-06-30T09:51:00.002-05:00

Itty Bitty Scientists, a photo by Lou Papai on Flickr.

Each Wednesday now through August 3 at 11 a.m. and Noon, we're presenting our Itty Bitty Scientists program for toddlers (ages 2-5) and their grownups! These fun, hands-on science sessions begin with a story centered on the topic of the day and end with a related activity. Programs last about 45 minutes and are free with admission to the Center.

Themes:
July 6
Tumble Time - Toddlers will laugh and dance with the story Barnyard Dance. Then we'll use instruments and steady beat with your child by creating movement through music!

July 13
All About Animals - What kinds of animals can we find? Today is your day to find out. We'll explore many of the animals that you don't see very often at Sci-Port, as well as create some of our own animals to take home. Steven Kellogg's Is Your Momma A Llama? will get us off to a galloping start.

July 20
Terrific Turtles - Did you know that there are Moons on a turtle's back? The Abenaki Indians do and they teach us all about them in the story 13 Moons on Turtle's Back. Just to make sure you remember, you can make your own turtle to take home.

July 27
Colorful Chameleons - Do chameleons really change colors? We'll find out as we learn about The Mixed-Up Chameleon with Eric Carle and create our own chameleons.

August 3
Cute as a Ladybug - Learn about shapes, patterns and counting while creating your own ladybug and reading the story Five Little Ladybugs by Pam Schiller.

Dog Days of Summer are back at Sci-Port!

2011-06-21T11:57:00.002-05:00

Dog Days of Summer are back at Sci-Port! , a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

Brian McWilliams, Public Programs Manager, explains the culinary science behind Sci-Port's solar oven to a curious visitor. The Dog Days of Summer are back on Tuesdays, June 21, July 19 & August 16. Sponsored by Counter Culture @ Sci-Port, the program allows visitors to swing by and pick up a FREE hot dog with the option of a $3 chips and drink combo.

Summer Science Blast (starting at $65) is now at Sci-Port!

2011-06-16T13:32:00.002-05:00

4th & 5th grade campers in Sci-Port's Robotics Lab ,a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

Sci-Port's Summer Blast Day Camps are just what you need to ensure a fun, safe and educational experience for your child(ren) this summer. Campers will assemble an electronic robotic arm during Build It!; learn some Sense-ible Science; conduct experiments in the Mad Scientist Lab and become a Sci-Port Sleuth while solving the mystery of the stolen bear! And now, registration is easier than ever! Go here to register your camper online!

Vote for Sci-Port as your favorite non-profit through Insty-Prints!

2011-06-10T14:21:00.002-05:00

Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center , a photo by Sci-Port on Flickr.

It's time to vote! Vote for Sci-Port as your favorite non-profit, and we could win $1,000 of creative, marketing, and printing services from Insty-Prints! Go here to vote, and feel free to do so daily! Plus, you can click here to read our favorite story. Thank you in advance for your support.

Shell Oil Company provides $25,000 for Sci-Port's Title I outreach

2011-05-27T10:29:00.001-05:00

Shell Oil Company provides $25,000 for Sci-Port's Title I outreach, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

On Wednesday, May 25, at 10:30 a.m., Shell Oil Company presented Sci-Port with $25,000 at Provencal School in Robeline, Louisiana. The funds will allow Sci-Port to provide outreach programs to Title I schools within the Sabine, DeSoto, Natchitoches and Red River parishes.

After the state wide budget cuts were made, Shell wanted to provide the support Sci-Port needed for the regions where the company’s employees and families reside.

“Shell is committed to the Louisiana communities where we live and operate. We are very excited about our educational outreach collaboration with Sci-Port, where students have the unique opportunity to participate in hands-on activities to explore the wonders of mathematics, science and technology,” said James Blanton, Operations Manager Haynesville Shale for Shell Exploration & Production Company. “It is so important to foster curiosity in students at an early age, and this program provides Shell a forum to actively engage in developing the technical workforce critical to our company, our industry and the greater Shreveport community where we can all work together to help build a responsible energy future.”

“Sci-Port is truly fortunate for the gracious donation Shell has provided,” said Ann Fumarolo, Sci-Port’s President/CEO. “By providing these funds, which were unavailable once state funding was eliminated, Sci-Port will be able to continue bringing informal, hands-on STEM education through our outreach program to these communities once again. We are proud of this partnership and excited to see what becomes of it.”

Bonnie Buckley, Revenue Programs Manager, gives a keynote speech to 150+ 8th grade G.L.A.M.S. participants

2011-05-23T16:27:00.001-05:00

Bonnie Buckley, Revenue Programs Manager, gives a keynote speech to 150+ 8th grade G.L.A.M.S. participants, a photo by Heath Waldrop on Flickr.

On Tuesday, May 17, Bonnie Buckley, Sci-Port's Revenue Programs Manager, spoke to 150+ 8th grade Girls Learning About Math and Science (G.L.A.M.S.) participants at South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado, Arkansas. Bonnie explained how science can complement any career choice.

Sci-Port Volunteer Virginia Johnson receives recognition for 1,000+ hours

2011-05-10T16:01:00.001-05:00

Sci-Port Volunteer Virginia Johnson and Volunteer Coordinator Jim Chico, a photo by Al Bohl on Flickr.

Ms. Virginia Johnson has put in over 1,000 hours of volunteer service at Sci-Port. As a retired nurse from Bossier Medical, Virginia became a Sci-Port volunteer in November 1999.

Virginia first found out about Sci-Port through a news article on volunteers in both Sci-Port’s Sci-Quest and Barksdale Air Force Base’s AFB Officer’s Wife’s Club newsletter. She later came to a meeting and decided to volunteer.

When asked why she has decided to stay with Sci-Port all these years, Virginia responded with, “I enjoy being with the children as they discover new things to see and do, so as long as Sci-Port has children coming in, I will be back. I just enjoy meeting old friends and making new friends at Sci-Port.”

Virginia has been a Sci-Port volunteer for over 10 years and has contributed over 1,300 hours to Sci-Port for a like value of over $8,000. In June 2010, she received her 10 year certificate & pin for 860 hours, and last month, she received her certificate & pin for 1,000+ hours of volunteer service at Sci-Port.

Sci-Port takes part in the Texas Avenue Community Association's Makers Fair

2011-04-30T18:09:00.001-05:00

Makers Fair 2011, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

Sci-Port had a booth at the Texas Avenue Community Association's Makers Fair today, Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. -5 p.m. We talked with adults and children alike about summer camp, upcoming programs and memberships. By way of a hands-on activity, visitors to our booth learned about the science of light and more specifically, how peacocks develop a range of colors on their feathers.

People of all ages were excited to hear about our "Jazz Under the Stars" event coming up on Friday, May 20 at 10:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome to visit the Windham Family Rooftop Terrace for FREE and enjoy a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres and music by the jazz ensemble Everett Street*. Space is limited for the event; please call (318) 424-8660 to make reservations. Also, please note: "Jazz Under the Stars" is for visitors 21 years of age and older.

The TACA's Makers Fair was a lot of fun, and we were thrilled to be a part of it. There's a lot of neat talent in our community!

*"Jazz Under the Stars" is made possible by a grant from Rendezvous on the Red.

Sci-Port visits with Caddo/Bossier RSVP Volunteer Recognition Party-goers

2011-04-28T15:08:00.001-05:00

Al Bohl and Caddo/Bossier RSVP Volunteer Recognition Party attendees , a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

On Thursday, April 28, Sci-Port's Art Director Al Bohl and Membership Coordinator Judy Mitchell visited with Caddo/Bossier RSVP Volunteer Recognition Party attendees. Al drew free caricatures of each visitor to the Sci-Port booth, and a fun time was had by all. It's great for us to get out into the community, especially when it involves tapping into different age groups.

Walter Shumate's photo of Sci-Port's VP -- Visitor Experiences Ken Latin

2011-04-26T14:36:00.001-05:00

Walter Shumate's photo of Sci-Port's VP -- Visitor Experiences Ken Latin, a photo by Karen E. Wissing on Flickr.

Walter Shumate of Shreveport sent us this picture he took on September 20, 2009, of Ken Latin, our Vice President - Visitor Experiences, in the Franks Foundation Solarium.

New! Gulf Oil Spill: one year later - where are we now?

2011-04-18T15:45:00.001-05:00

Photo courtesy of The Christian Science Monitor.

Take part in this interactive lecture with Sci-Port's Brian McWilliams and Cathy Williamson as they discuss the past, present and future impacts of the gulf oil spill. Cathy recently returned from the Science Seminar: Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, sponsored by the Michael P. Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting, where she gained knowledge and insight of the research that has been conducted since the devastating incident last year. Plus, the Shreveport Times will be at the Center streaming the program live online and will have it available to all Gannett newspapers along the gulf coast. You won't want to miss this!

Sci-Port's Nancy Larned and KTAL's Jenna Zibton talk sustainability

2011-04-14T15:09:00.001-05:00

Nancy Larned and Jenna Zibton, a photo by karen42288 on Flickr.

Nancy Larned, Sci-Port's Sustainable Issues Manager, and Jenna Zibton of KTAL TV spoke about the 2nd Annual Sustainapalooza coming up Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission to Sci-Port is buy one, and get one free thanks to Chesapeake Energy Corporation and the City of Shreveport's Energy Division. Read KTAL TV's article here.