After a recent trip up to Nevada Beach we decided to do a little exploring and check out the UC Davis Tahoe Science Center. This was a fun little stop to learn more about the amazing environment up there, and it was totally free!
First things first, I have to apologize for the pictures here. My phone really didn't like the lighting in the building and I just couldn't get it to cooperate.
The Tahoe Science Center is a research branch of UC Davis, but it is located on the campus of Sierra Nevada College. There are a couple of parking spaces reserved for the science center near the library, but I believe the rest of campus is for parking pass holders only, so be aware of where you park. It's not a big campus, and the science center isn't hard to find.
The building itself is neat to learn about. It is LEED certified, which means everything is incredibly environmentally friendly. To the point that the toilets flush using rain water collected from the roof! They have a display to teach you about the different technologies and materials that went into creating this structure.
One of the first things you see when you walk in is the model of their research vessel. A guide should be around, ready to tell you all about everything there is to see. There is a short video to watch on the "boat", then some hands-on type activities to put what you learned into action. For example; we learned about how to measure water clarity using secchi discs and handling real life equipment...
...then we practiced measuring water clarity with mini secchi discs in different water beakers filled with water samples from various locations. It was fun to get to watch the kids put their theoretical knowledge to practical use.
We also go to see (and feed) various varieties of native and invasive fish species. Most of the science in this area went over my kids' heads, but they liked watching the fish. Since my husband is a former fish biologist we spent a fair amount of time in this little corner with the fishies.
By far the thing we had the most fun with was the watershed table. The kids could build and sculpt their own imaginary landscape in the sand, while a projector superimposed elevation lines and other information on their creation. When they were ready the were able to actually create virtual rain and observe how the water reacted with the landscape they had created. An older kid, or adult, could have a lot of fun trying to engineer the perfect landscape to control flooding, etc. My kids just liked playing in the sand and making it rain. :)
There is a shortish movie (I want to say it was about 15 minutes long) that takes you on a 3-D ride around the Lake Tahoe Basin to learn about the geological and environmental factors that created this amazing area. They didn't have any good kid-size 3-D glasses, so the kids weren't able to enjoy the movie. We ended up not getting to watch the whole thing, but what I saw was fascinating though!
Right outside the theater is this activity table with coloring books and crayons where the kids were happy to crash for a few minutes while us adults looked around at some of the stuff they weren't as interested in.
A nice little hands-on sensory exploration table filled with items found around the lake finished off the tour. Its funny how suddenly things like pine cones and tree bark and WAY more interesting when they're organized all nice and neat. :)
Essential Details:
UC Davis Tahoe Science Center
291 Country Club Dr, Incline Village, NV 89451
Website
Sierra Nevada College Campus Map
***Recommended for ages 8 and up, but the guide was very kind and tried hard to make things engaging for the younger kids.
***Docent-guided tours of the UC Davis Tahoe Science Center are available Tuesday through Friday from 1 - 5 p.m. year round. Tours begin on the hour and walk-ins are welcome. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Tahoe Science Center is also open on Saturdays from 1-5 p.m.
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