Workshops Reveal Spooky Secrets

The spooky secrets of bats, pumpkins, skeletons and caves will be revealed in Halloween science workshops offered by the California Museum of Science and Industry Saturday and Sunday.

Children 5 to 13 can create a life-sized movable skeleton, examine specimens of insects, worms, snakes, lizards and toads, or learn about the principles of cave formation in an educational alternative to traditional Halloween fare.

Students enroll by age level in the sessions, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. both days. Other activities will include a costume parade, mask-making and other holiday surprises. (213) 744-7444.

MARINE SCIENCE

* The use of aerial photography as a tool for whale research will be discussed by James Gilpatrick of the National Marine Fisheries Service at the Los Angeles chapter of the American Cetacean Society at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Research director Alisa Schulman will discuss the upcoming gray whale census project and ask for volunteers. (310) 548-7563.

ASTRONOMY

* The testing of a reusable rocket known as the Delta Clipper--a possible successor to the Space Shuttle--will be discussed by Jeff Laube of McDonnell Douglas Corp.’s Space Systems Division at the Santa Monica College astronomy program at 8 p.m. Friday in Room 105 of the Business Building. The presentation follows the weekly Night Sky Show at 7 p.m. (310) 452-9396.

* The stars of the season will be explored in a planetarium program of the Astronomy Club of Los Angeles Valley College at 8 p.m. Friday at the college planetarium. The observatory’s 16-inch Celestron telescope will be open for viewing, weather permitting. (818) 781-1200, Ext. 335.

ENVIRONMENT

* The plants and mountains of the desert will be the subjects of two workshops offered by the office of extended education at Cal State San Bernardino, Friday through Sunday. The program will include field trips, lab experiments and lectures at the Desert Studies Center near Baker, led by historian Cliff Walker. (909) 880-5981 or (909) 880-5975.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

* Children are encouraged to pick up and examine a collection of bird nests, animal bones and skins, feathers, shells, rocks, fossils and other natural specimens at the “Touch Table,” a changing exhibit at the Children’s Museum at La Habra. (310) 905-9793.