Science / Medicine : Hands-On Children’s Tour

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s Sea Center has added an Oceanographic Pier Lab program to tours currently offered to school groups from grades 3 through 12.

Designed as an introduction to basic research methods in oceanography, each lab program includes three 20-minute work stations where students can engage in such activities as collecting and examining plankton and measuring water temperature and visibility. The labs are offered at no charge through Decemeber. Reservations required, (805) 682-4334.

The invertebrate fossil collection of the National History Museum of Los Angeles County was recently ranked sixth in North America and second in the western United States in a workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The public collection includes sponges from the Cretaceous period, amoebas, spiders, worms and other types of fossils. A new specimen on display this month is a fossil found in Kansas of a type of sea lily which first appeared 530 million years ago. Call (213) 744-3466.

MARINE SCIENCE

Sharks have a frightening reputation, but an exhibit at the Cabrillo Marine Museum in San Pedro projects a different image. Included are a life-size model of a great white shark and the recently added multimedia show “SHARK!” developed by Chip Matheson. The exhibit is open during normal museum hours. “SHARK!” is presented weekends at 2 and 4 p.m. Call (213) 548-7562.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Children ages 5 to 9 can learn about whales, reptiles, birds, dinosaurs and mammals in a series of workshops offered by the El Dorado Nature Center during the holiday break. Beginning today through Dec. 29, the naturalist-led workshops utilize games, crafts, trail and outdoor activities, including collecting denizens of the center’s two ponds, to teach children about their environment. Call (213) 425-8569.

GEOLOGY

The Palm Springs Desert Museum has scheduled an exploration of a part of the San Andreas Fault and a visit to a desert oasis created from rising ground water, Friday morning . Participants should meet at the museum before 9 a.m. Call (619) 325-7186.

SCIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY

Photomicrography, photographing subjects with the use of microscopes, is featured in the exhibit “Small World,” now through Jan. 3 at the California Museum of Science and Industry. The microscopic world is revealed in fascinating and sometimes bizarre detail in the images currently on display. Call (213) 744-7400.