East Bay Museum Memberships

For those of you that are about as excited as I am about more “stuff” cluttering up the house and toy closet after this season, here are some ideas for local museum memberships.  The great benefit of giving an experience, like a museum membership, allows the gift to be used multiple times in the year and allows the giver to build memories with the recipient.  Plus, it does not take up any space.  Many of these museums also offer reciprocal benefits for other children’s museums, so you can get discounts when you are traveling as well (see links below).

Here are some of my favorites in the East Bay.  Some of them have discounts for Cyber Monday, so check it out today. 

Oakland Zoo (AZA), http://www.oaklandzoo.org/

Address: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605

Family membership (2 adults, up to 4 children) $159

Benefits:  Free admission, free parking, summer early entry

Discounts:  10% at gift shop, birthday parties, ZooCamp, Special Events (like ZooLights)

Reciprocal Benefits:  Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

Children’s Fairyland, http://fairyland.org/

Address: 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610

Family membership (2 adults and 3 children) $107

-          1 adult and 3 children   $91

-          3 adults and 3 children $123

Benefits:  Free admission, guest pass, special edition Fairyland key

Discounts:  Special events (Jack O’Lantern Jamboree, Fairy Winterland), Café and gift shop, park rental, birthday party, summer camp

Oakland Museum of California, http://museumca.org/

Address: 1000 Oak St, Oakland, CA 94607

Family membership (4 adults and all children)  $95

Benefits:  Free admission, 2 guest passes

Discounts:  eNews, Invitations to special events, OMCA store, Bay Area businesses (OMCA Perks)

Reciprocal Benefits:  If Supporter membership ($175), North America Reciprocal Museums (NARM)

Chabot Space & Science Center (ASTC, ACM), http://www.chabotspace.org/index.htm

Address: 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619

Earth Family membership (2 adults and up to 4 children)  $99

Earth Orbiter includes Family + guest and ACM reciprocity  $150

Benefits:  Free admission, free Planetarium shows, e-newsletter

Discounts:  gift shop and café, summer camp, events and classes

Reciprocal Benefits:  Science centers and museums (ASTC), ACM with Earth Orbiter membership

Lindsay Wildlife Experience (ASTC, ACM), https://lindsaywildlife.org/

Address: 1931 1st Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94597

Family membership (2 adults and all children and/or grandparents at same address)  $80

Benefits:  Free admission, use of “members only” library, Lindsay’s newsletter, 2 guest passes
Discounts:  10% at Lindsay store, educational programs, birthday parties and classes

Reciprocal Benefits:  Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), science and nature centers across California

Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley (ASTC, ACM);  www.lawrencehallofscience.org

Address: 1 Centennial Dr, Berkeley, CA 94720

Family Membership (2 adults and all children in household plus guest) $95

-          Family Premium (4 adults plus 2 guests and ACM Reciprocity)  $135

Benefits:  Free admission, 2 guest passes, 2 Digital Theater passes

Discounts:  camps, classes and birthday parties

Reciprocal Benefits:  Science centers and museums (ASTC), ACM with Family Premium membership

Habitot Children’s Museum (ACM), http://www.habitot.org/

Address: 2065 Kittredge St, Berkeley, CA 94704

Family membership (up to 4 household family members), $22/month, minimum 4 months

-          Premium membership (up to 6 household family members and ACM reciprocity), $34/month, min 4 months

-          10 visit (Individual) pass, $89

Benefits:  Free admission, e-newsletter

Discounts:  $9 guests, store purchases

Reciprocal Benefits:  ACM with Premium Membership

Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA),  http://mocha.org/

Address: 1625 Clay St #100, Oakland, CA 94612

Family membership

·         Novice (2 people) $100

·         Apprentice (4 people) $150

·         Master (6 people) $200

Benefits:  Free admission

Discounts:  art parties, camps and field trips

Reciprocal benefits: Add $25 for Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)

East Bay Regional Parks, http://www.regionalparksfoundation.org/join/benefits

Family membership (2 individuals and children in household)  $105

Benefits:  Day use parking, annual dog pass, horse/boat trailer permit, free swimming, admission to Ardenwood Historic Farm, Black Diamond Mines Underground tour (must be at least 7)

Discounts:  camping, group facility rental at The Ranch at Little Hills, tram tours at Angel Island State Park

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, https://www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom/store/season-passes

Gold Level Season Pass (Individual), $225; $64.99 Cyber Monday

Benefits:  Free parking, free admission (rest of 2017 & all 2018) to all Six Flags theme parks and Waterworld Concord, includes Holiday in the Park and FrightFest.

Discounts:  Friend ticket discounts, limited offers during the year

Dining Passes can be purchased for Lunch and Snack at each visit (starting at $48)

Quick Links to find participating museums across the country:

Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), https://findachildrensmuseum.org/

Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), http://www.astc.org/about-astc/about-science-centers/find-a-science-center/

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), https://www.aza.org/find-a-zoo-or-aquarium

North America Reciprocal Museums (NARM), https://narmassociation.org/

Other Bay Area museums/parks:

Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito (ASTC, ACM);  www.BayAreaDiscoveryMuseum.org

Children’s Creativity Museum, SF (ASTC);  www.creativity.org

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, SJ (ACM);  www.cdm.org

CuriOdyssey, San Mateo (ASTC);  www.curiodyssey.org

Exploratorium, SF;  www.exploratorium.edu

The Tech Museum of Innovation, SF (ASTC);  www.thetech.org

USS Hornet Museum, Alameda;  www.uss-hornet.org

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, SJ;  http://www.hhpz.org/

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, Gilroy;  https://www.gilroygardens.org

California’s Great America, Santa Clara;  https://www.cagreatamerica.com/

Science on I-80

We make the drive from the Bay Area to Sacramento almost monthly, so we look for milestones to mark the progress of our trip, as well as share some science information.

(I-80) Oakland Port

Even when it's not running, the cranes look pretty cool. You can even chat about import and export and what things may be on the ships. 

Bridges (Carquinez or Benicia)

Bridges are always fun and great educational opportunities. 

http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/bridge6.htm

(I-80) Vallejo - roller coasters at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

(680) Martinez Refineries - cooling tower and tall chimneys

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooling_tower

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_flare

Scandia fun center - mini golf (after 680-80 connection);  ok, not science, but a fun break. 

Windmills - there are a couple big ones near the Jelly Belly factory/Budweiser

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/wind-power.htm

Fairfield - Jelly Belly factory (who does not love to see how things are made, especially candy?)

http://www.jellybelly.com/california-factory-tours

Vacaville - Nut Tree

This used to be a favorite stop when I was a kid. It has changed a lot, but still has a carousel and mini playground, as well as plenty of food and shops. Our favorite is Amici's pizza. 

Fruit orchards

We like to play the "what kind of tree is that?" Game. Most of the time I make up the answers, but they don't know that. Plus there might be fruit stands open. 

Dinosaur skeleton? - I swear I saw one on the East side, just before Davis. At night it was lit with lights. Mystery...

UC Davis

https://www.ucdavis.edu/museums-collections

Grain elevator

Perfect segue to talk about where our food comes from. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grain_elevator

Watch birds along Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area

https://localwiki.org/davis/Vic_Fazio_Yolo_Wildlife_Area

Downtown - tower bridge

Depending on the time of day and weather, it looks like a different color. 

California Train Museum

This is a good half day stop in Old Sacramento for all ages. Big trains, little trains and even toy trains. A must for any train enthusiast. 

http://www.csrmf.org

Other resources

https://localwiki.org/davis/Good_Places_to_Take_Kids

Science on I-5

I-5 can be a long, boring drive. Here are some suggestions for Science discussions with the kids, from the Bay Area to LA. 

Windmills (after Livermore)

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/wind-power.htm

Rock quarry (Granite)

http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/quarry/

Nut & fruit trees

Can you guess what kind?

California aqueduct

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Aqueduct

Santa Nella

- pea soup anderson (I always wanted to stop here as a kid and I still have not, but I love soup)

http://www.peasoupandersens.net

Feed lots

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feedlot

Dams or trains?

Start your own debate between more water and high speed trains. 

Power grid, power station

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm

Wild sunflowers

Greenhouses

http://www.scienceagogo.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=49233

Coalinga

- Harris ranch - you've seen the feedlot, now visit the restaurant!

- airport (small planes you can see from the airport)

Mirages

http://science.howstuffworks.com/mirage.htm

Irrigation

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrigation

- Water pumping station (Kings county line)

- Water tanks

- canals

Bravo farms (restaurant and shops)

Kettleman city

http://www.bravofarms.com/kc/

"Radar enforced by aircraft"

http://mentalfloss.com/article/54070/how-are-speed-limits-enforced-aircraft

Exit 278- Loves gas and food

Kern wildlife refuge - wintering habitat for migratory birds

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kern/

Eucalyptus trees

http://articles.latimes.com/1991-03-14/news/nc-166_1_plant-trees

Pollinating bee boxes

http://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-pollination/

Oil drills. 

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/oil-drilling.htm

Dust devils

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_devil

Bird repellant methods (on grapes)

- Shiny markers

- netting over the vines

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/98-035.htm

Tejon

- Tesla charging station

Tejon pass

- Fort Tejon State Historic Park

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=585

Magic mountain - roller coasters

Science in the Neighborhood

Science is everywhere, especially in our own back yards.

Here are 10 places in your neighborhood that you can visit with your kids to learn how things work.  Some may be easier to get a tour with a group (school, scouts, etc), but you may be able to go during a slow part of the day and get a private tour or interview.

Ask the professionals to share what tools and technology they use. 

1.  Utilities - Recycling, water sanitation

Some local utilities have specific dates for public tours or will schedule group tours.

2.  Fire station, police car, ambulance

Ask community helpers to show the inside of their trucks and tools they use.

3.  Local Restaurants

The kitchen in your local restaurant usually has well planned logistics to get food out quickly.  Pizza places sometimes offer tours to groups.  Even fast food restaurants have interesting tools they use to get food out fast and consistently.

4.  Grocery store

Peak behind the scenes in the stock room to see how food gets from truck to shelves and into our homes.

5.  Bank

Help kids understand money is not just about a credit card.

6.  Library

Ok, I am a Dewey Decimal system nerd and love the order of sorting and reshelving books.

7.  Repair shop

Lots of cool tools to ask about.

8.  Gas station

Where does the gas come from and how does it get into our cars?

9.  Local farm, upick or farmer's market

Whether there are animals or fruits and vegetables, there are plenty of learning opportunities  about where our food comes from.

10.  Construction site

Big tools and trucks.  Make sure you watch from a distance and everyone is safe.

How the Children's Creativity Museum helped me embrace STEAM

I have to admit, I was not a big fan of the recent trend to add "Art" to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  When I was in college, art and dance were my outlets to take a break from engineering classes.  I wanted a separation and distinction between them.  But the Children's Creativity Museum in San Francisco has enlightened me to the errors of my logic.

We just visited this museum with our 2 and 5 year old.  We had not taken my son when he was younger, because he was not into craft projects, but I know now that this museum has something for every kid.  

There are small motor skill activities like clay, cutting, gluing and coloring (Perfect for my perfectionist two year old).  But there are also plenty of large motor activities like giant blocks, outdoor obstacle course and Legos (just enough to balance the energy of my 5 year old).  Some of the stations were free play, while some of them had themes or suggestions, like creating a "nature" collage or using alien figures for an animation video.  One of my favorites, from an engineering perspective, was the Mystery Box Challenge.  Each family or group gets a box of random scraps of material (string, paper, foam, etc) and a "challenge."  Ours was "Playground for elephants."  My son immediately started gluing things together.  I wanted to brainstorm, create a plan and split up tasks, but I eventually let it go and embraced the random building.

My daughter's favorite?  Princess dress up and Frozen karaoke.  I have the video to prove it.  You can actually choose from a number of kid songs, but "Let it Go" was on heavy rotation. 

My son's favorite?  Programming robots.  Seriously, my 5 year old was programming.

They had a really kid friendly setup with different robot stations that played music, rolled through an obstacle course or made drawings.  They use child-proof iPads to control them, with either a simple interface or preset programming blocks.  Made me wish I could be a kid in this generation, rather than being stuck with Oregon Trail and Basic functions on my TRS80.

So I am now a believer in the power of combining Art and STEM.  It is all about creating something to solve problems, emphasis on CREATIVE.

Bring on the STEAM, especially when robots and princesses are involved. 

The Children's Creativity Museum is at 221 4th Street, San Francisco.  Walking distance from the Powell St. Bart station.  Admission is $12/person;  Open 10am-4pm Wed-Sun (www.creativity.org).  Look for discount tickets through your local library Discover & Go program.

There is also a Carousel ($4/2 rides, discount with museum admission) and free outdoor playground next door.  For older kids, there is an ice skating rink and bowling alley in the same complex.  Plenty of food places are in the nearby Metreon and along 4th street.

YOU are an engineer

en-gi-neer  [en-juh-neer]

noun;  A person trained and skilled in the design, construction and use of complicated products, systems or structures.

Engineering is a difficult field and requires a strong understanding of math and science, but in the real world, there are everyday engineers that do not have formal training, yet "engineer" complex systems on a daily basis.  I call those engineers Moms (or Dads).

Don't get me wrong.  I do not mean to denigrate the intense technical training and experience that I have as an engineer.  The work I and other formally trained Mechanical engineers do may be on a bigger scale, but parents use similar skills and tools to improve their household. 

Just because you do not have a degree in Mechanical engineering or studied a bunch of Physics classes, does not mean you are not Engineering solutions using science and systems every day.  

Think about it...

Have you ever helped your children build a better fort by supporting the walls with extra pillows?

Then you have used physics to spread out the force to balance a structure.

Even creating and managing a meal that your family will eat is a complex process that I have yet to master, let alone replicate on a daily basis.

Have you ever combined ground beef with a liquid to make a burger stick together better?

Then you have used chemistry to break down the collagen to gelatins.

Have you ever made an awesome treat like jello or popsicles?

Then you have used chemistry to change the phase of a liquid to a solid.

Call them Mom Hacks; call them survival tactics;  call them whatever you want, but you are solving problems every day.  Take a moment to be proud of yourself and recognize the engineer in you.

Now how do you get your kids to recognize the engineer in themselves?  Challenge them to ask questions and look for their own solutions to problems.  One of the best ways to do that is for them to follow the Scientific Method:

1.  Observe (Recognize the situation and define the problem)

2.  Make a hypothesis (Identify an idea of how to solve the problem)

3.  Test (Create an experiment or method to try the solution)

4.  Review results (Whether the results are what you expected or not, you can learn from them)

5.  Start again with a refined observation and problem statement (do not give up, this is a continuous cycle.  A failed experiment is not the end; it means it's time for another experiment.)

Remember, you are an engineer too, so share your experiences of how you have tested and learned from your trial and error.  You may not know the official science behind everything, but you know what works and does not in the world around you.  It is practical experience.

I am proud to be an Engineer by training, but I am even prouder of my "engineering" feats in the house.  My goal is someday we will all state with pride, Mom is an Engineer!

Rainy Day Science

With some rainy days here recently, we have had to resort to indoor fun.  What better activity when you are stuck inside than to learn about science!

Here are some of our favorites using common household items. 

Make it rain (in a jar)

http://www.greenkidcrafts.com/make-it-rain/

Water tension with pepper and dish soap (had to do this multiple times to show dad)

http://carrotsareorange.com/preschool-science-surface-tension/

Other water fun

http://learning.innerchildfun.com/2013/04/5-simple-experiments-with-water.html

Density demo with eggs (did not work the first time for us. You need to use a lot of salt.)

http://we-made-that.com/how-are-mountains-made/

Sink or float?  Or better yet, a Lego boat. 

http://handmadekidsart.com/lego-boat-engineering-project-for-kids/

Fun with magnets (magnets are really like magic!)

http://www.racheous.com/montessori-home/exploring-magnetism/#_a5y_p=1858730

Plate tectonics with graham crackers and whipped cream. (Yummy!)

http://we-made-that.com/how-are-mountains-made/

Other edible experiments (because you need to eat)

http://www.buzzfeed.com/morganshanahan/19-kitchen-science-experiments-you-can-eat

What is your favorite rainy day experiment?