Journalists to Discuss Reporting on Science

A panel of journalists will discuss the rewards and challenges of science reporting on April 20 at Caltech’s second annual media and science symposium, “Reporting Science: Fact, Skepticism and Controversy.”

Moderator for the discussion will be Jess Marlow, news anchor for KNBC-TV. Members of the audience will be invited to ask questions after the panel presentation. The symposium will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Deadline to register is Friday. Call (818) 395-3227.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

* Instead of bringing home a chick or a bunny for Easter, families can “adopt” an animal from Wildlife on Wheels. By becoming a Wildlife Partner, an individual or family can sponsor the care and feeding of a nine-banded armadillo, a great horned owl, an American alligator or any of a number of animals permanently housed at the Wildlife on Wheels compound in the San Fernando Valley. Deadline for the Easter season is Thursday, but adoptions are available throughout the year. (818) 951-3656

* The Friends of Madrona Marsh Spring Science Camp will focus on the fossils of the region from 1 to 4 p.m. April 11-13. Third-grade and older students will dig for fossils in field trips and examine them at the Natural History Center. Deadline for registration is Saturday. A spring vacation nature class to explore the flora and fauna of the preserve will also be offered on the mornings of April 11, 12 and 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (310) 326-3840 or (310) 782-3989

* The three-month spring festival celebrating the elements of nature continues at Kidspace Museum this week with classes on land animals, earthquakes and rain. A program on animals will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday; at 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday on earthquakes and at 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday on the rain forest and rain. (818) 449-9144

ENVIRONMENT

* The fifth-annual Eco Expo, featuring more than 400 exhibits, seminars, demonstrations and children’s activities, will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (818) 906-2700.

* The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will be offering a “Hands on the Environment” workshop in marine-related environmental subjects for teachers at all grade levels from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. (310) 548-7563

HEALTH/MEDICINE

* “TB: Are You in the Hot Zone?,” a course on tuberculosis for health care workers, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at Queen of the Valley Hospital. The morning session is designed for physicians; the afternoon course for nurses and other health care professionals. (213) 935-5864, Ext. 233

* Mental health professionals from UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital will discuss “Electroconvulsive Therapy in the Treatment of Mood Disorders” at a seminar at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the institute’s auditorium (310) 825-0481.