Exploring the World of Kaleidoscopes

Often only viewed as a child’s toy, kaleidoscopes actually illustrate sophisticated optical patterns and complex mathematical principles. This interrelationship is explored in an exhibit, “Kaleidoscopes: Reflections of Science and Art,” at the California Museum of Science and Industry in Exposition Park.

Utilizing interactive displays, the exhibit explores the mathematical and physical principles used to generate the ever-changing patterns. Visitors can create their own patterns with mirrors, lights and different surfaces, such as metal and mylar.

Prism kaleidoscopes, pyramid kaleidoscopes and other shapes illustrate the role light plays in reflection. In addition, visitors can look into an ‘infinity box’ and with their own cameras, use the camera kaleidoscope to make a record of their images. The exhibit will run through June 24. Call (213) 744-7400.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Children can learn about the importance of planting trees and recycling in workshops presented by the TreePeople at the Los Angeles Children’s Museum on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. They can also visit the Urban Garden through May 31 as part of the museum’s “Growing Things” month.

On Sunday, kids can learn about lizards, bugs and their part in the environment. Call (213) 687-8800.

ENVIRONMENT

UC Santa Barbara botanist and ecologist Wayne Ferren will introduce participants to the ecology of a little-known estuary of the Ventura River in a field trip sponsored by the Sierra Club’s Natural Science Section on Saturday. Call (805) 967-0593.

A display depicting human beings’ effect on wildlife and the environment, entitled “You Can Make a Difference,” will be on exhibit at the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach through May 31. Call (213) 421-9431, Ext. 3421.

MARINE SCIENCE

The evolution and life of sharks and a preview of an upcoming exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will be the topic of a lecture by Jeff Seigel, ichthyology collections manager at the museum, on Thursday at 8 p.m. at the San Marino Women’s Club. Call (213) 744-3438.

Marine-life experts and others will be on hand at the 20th annual Whale Fiesta to bid farewell to the gray whales as they return northward. The fiesta will be held at the Cabrillo Marine Museum on June 2 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Families can participate in a number of activities, including the creation of a giant sand sculpture of a gray whale. Call (213) 548-7562.

SCIENCE POLICY

Charles R. Cantor, director of the Human Genome Center at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, will discuss the global and political implications of the initiative to map the entire human genome in the final lecture of Caltech’s seminar series on the initiative. The lecture will be held May 30 at 4 p.m. in the Baxter Lecture Hall. Call (818) 356-4087.

ASTRONOMY

Increased solar activity and its effects on the Earth are the focus of the Griffith Observatory planetarium show, “Sunspot Max,” now through June 10. To complement the show, special tours of the solar telescopes will be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays. Call (213) 664-1991.

Attempts to study the Earth from space will be the topic of the Santa Monica College planetarium program Friday at 8 p.m., following the Night Sky Show at 7 p.m. Call (213) 452-9223.

Galaxies will be the subject of the Los Angeles Valley College planetarium program on June 1 at 8 p.m. and June 2 at 2 p.m. Call (818) 781-1200, Ext. 335.

The El Camino College planetarium program will feature the constellations of the spring and summer skies on Friday at 8 p.m. Call (213) 715-3200.