Science / Medicine : Toys Teach Science in Museum Exhibit

The joy of learning through play is exemplified in “Science in Toyland,” a recently opened exhibit at the California Museum of Science and Industry in Exposition Park.

Utilizing such simple toys as tops, dominoes, blocks and puzzle pieces, the exhibit illustrates how toys and play can challenge children to discover basic scientific principles.

Play modules allow children to expand their powers of observation, reasoning and imagination. In exhibit modules such as “Catch the Wind,” “Block City” or “Kids Construction Company,” children can discover how sailboats use the wind, create models of skyscrapers or build a kid-sized house.

Daily demonstrations and workshops will also enable children to learn about subjects such as motion, electrostatic energy and sound. In workshops, children can create take-home projects such as unusual paper airplanes that illustrate the principles of flight.

The museum is open daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Admission is free. Call (213) 744-7400.

ASTRONOMY

Hal Jandorf, Moorpark College astronomy instructor and “eclipse chaser,” will present a seminar in December on the annular solar eclipse that will occur Jan. 4. The seminar will be held Dec. 7 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Charles Temple Observatory on campus. Eclipse logistics and past and future eclipses, including the total eclipse of July 11, will be illustrated in the program.

On Sunday, the Moorpark College astronomy program will feature “The Christmas Star” at the Charles Temple Observatory at 7:30 p.m. Call (805) 378-1408.

The El Camino College Planetarium program in December will also examine the scientific possibilities of the Christmas star on Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased through the auditorium box office. Call (310) 715-3200.

ORNITHOLOGY

Hummingbird experts Robert and Esther Tyrrell will discuss new information about these small birds in a program offered at the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on Sunday at 2 p.m. Call (310) 544-6815.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History recently added a condor exhibit to its Bird Habitat Hall. Highlighted in the exhibit are audio recordings, topographical maps of the area and a female condor with a nine-foot wingspan which died from complications of lead poisoning in 1986. Call (805) 682-4711.

The Sierra Club Natural Science Section’s annual introduction to coastal birds workshop will be held Saturday and Sunday . Participants will learn identification techniques in introductory lectures, followed by explorations of the Malibu Lagoon and Sycamore Canyon areas to observe wintering shore birds, waterfowl and gulls on Saturday. On Sunday, participants will proceed to the Santa Clara River mouth. Overnight camping will be available. Call (714) 650-0654.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

Children ages 4 to 7 will be able to explore and learn about the natural world through artistic design in an “Art in Nature” workshop offered by the Wilderness Institute on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Also at the Wilderness Institute on Dec. 7, children ages 8 to 12 can learn about owls, hawks, eagles and other birds of prey in a class taught by naturalist Kirk Clayton at 10 a.m.

Adults can get in on the action with their children ages 8 to 12 in an evening Starlight Hike to view the constellations of the night sky with Institute Naturalist Peter Rice from 5 to 8 p.m.

For registration information call (818) 991-7327.