Science / Medicine : Exhibit Explores History of Carthage

The civilization of the ancient city of Carthage will be explored in “Carthage: A Mosaic of Ancient Tunisia,” opening Sept. 9 at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Exposition Park.

Carthage came to glory under the Phoenicians, was destroyed and rebuilt by the Romans and transformed by the Christians. Its location on the North African coast made it an important trade and cultural center.

Using more than 300 artifacts, including intricate mosaics and Etruscan bronzes, the exhibit illustrates the life of the city from 800 BC to AD 700.

Many other events are planned to coincide with the exhibit, which runs through Jan. 7, 1990. A children’s class on the animals of North Africa will be held at the museum on Sept. 9 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

This will be the only West Coast showing of the exhibit. Many of the items have never before been displayed in public. Call (213) 744-3466 for exhibit information, 744-3342 for class information.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Puppeteers Judy Sofer and Ruben Gerard will help children learn about life in a hospital in a special puppet hospital workshop at The Children’s Museum at La Habra on Sept. 9 at noon. Call (213) 905-9793.

EDUCATION

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is sponsoring a Research Apprenticeship Program for outstanding high school students during the 1989-90 academic year. The program is designed to train students in ecological research methods, data analysis and scientific writing through participation in original research. Enrollment is limited. Deadline for applications is Sept. 2. Call (213) 744-3559.

The UCLA Extension Division of Science is offering a wide range of courses for the fall quarter beginning Sept. 16. Included are courses in the structure and function of the brain, the biology of aging and field studies of California birds. Call (213) 825-7093.

MARINE SCIENCE

As summer winds down, the Channel Islands National Park is offering a variety of programs for visitors to learn more about the environment of the park. On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. throughout the remainder of the summer, visitors can view a unique underwater video program at the Anacapa Island landing dock as a team of divers descends into the sea and films the kelp forest and its inhabitants. On Sept. 1 and 2, at 7:30 p.m., rangers will talk about the different animals of the area. On Sept. 3 at 2 p.m., the culture of the Chumash will be the program subject. Call (805) 644-8262.

The Santa Barbara Recreation Department and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary will be offering trips to the islands of Channel Islands National Park as part of COASTWEEKS ’89. Trips to Santa Rosa Island on Sept. 16 and San Miguel Island on Sept. 17 are planned. Naturalists will introduce participants, who should be in good physical health, to the ecology and history of the islands. Deadline for reservations is Sept. 1. Call (805) 963-0611, Ext. 4536.