Discovery Center of Idaho
Encyclopedia
Discovery Center of Idaho or DCI is an interactive Science museum
in Boise
, Idaho
located at 131 Myrtle St. The Discovery Center of Idaho's mission is to inspire lifelong interest and learning in science, technology, engineering and math.
The current Featured Exhibition is "Gyrations" running until December 5, 2011.
August 2–6: Grades 1-3
In partnership with Boise Parks & Recreation, offsite at Morley Nelson Community Center, 7701 W. Northview Street in Boise. Join us for a half-day camp full of hands-on activities. Explore exciting topics such as astronomy, geology, weather, electricity, chemistry and flight. Half-day sessions, 9:00am to noon. $75.00 Drop off & pickup at Morley Nelson Community Center. No transport provided from the Discovery Center.
Space Camp (campers will meet astronaut, Wendy Lawrence!)
August 2–6: Grades 4-6
Explore life as an astronaut traveling to and living in outer space. Learn how astronauts are trained and about the work they really do. Veteran astronaut, Wendy Lawrence, will speak to the campers at 3:30PM on 8/5. Parents are welcome to come and hear Wendy speak as well. 9 am-4 pm DCI member: $150; non-member: $175
Geology
August 9–13: Grades 4-6
Learn to identify different types of rocks. Explore “earth-shattering” topics like earthquakes and volcanoes, and study tectonic plates and the effects their moving and scraping continue to have on the earth’s landforms. 9 am-4 pm DCI member: $150; non-member: $175
Astronomy
August 16–20: Grades 2-4
Explore the mysteries of the planets, stars and galaxies. Spend some time in our exciting STARLAB planetarium and learn about the constellations and the myths surrounding them. 9 am-4 pm : DCI member: $150; non-member: $175
Science museum
A science museum or a science centre is a museum devoted primarily to science. Older science museums tended to concentrate on static displays of objects related to natural history, paleontology, geology, industry and industrial machinery, etc. Modern trends in museology have broadened the range of...
in Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
located at 131 Myrtle St. The Discovery Center of Idaho's mission is to inspire lifelong interest and learning in science, technology, engineering and math.
Exhibits
The museum's exhibition floor is filled with nearly 200 exhibits including the following:- Centripetal Wheel - Get this wheel spinning fast enough and watch as the stuffed animals cling to the outer cylinder wall.
- Dune Machine - Observe as the wind continually shifts the sand around objects, just as it does with snow and sand in nature.
- Turbulent Orb - Spin this globe and watch the swirling turbulence within.
- Tornado - Create your own 7 foot tall tornado as it swirls up from the ground.
- Bernoulli Blower - Suspend large objects in mid-air as the Bernoulli Blower surrounds the object with invisible air flow and keeps objects floating right before your eyes.
- Bubble Wall - Blow gigantic bubbles from our Bubble Wall exhibit, or see how you can stick your hand through the soapy wall without breaking it.
The current Featured Exhibition is "Gyrations" running until December 5, 2011.
Classes
Explore, Experiment & Build (FULL)(off site)August 2–6: Grades 1-3
In partnership with Boise Parks & Recreation, offsite at Morley Nelson Community Center, 7701 W. Northview Street in Boise. Join us for a half-day camp full of hands-on activities. Explore exciting topics such as astronomy, geology, weather, electricity, chemistry and flight. Half-day sessions, 9:00am to noon. $75.00 Drop off & pickup at Morley Nelson Community Center. No transport provided from the Discovery Center.
Space Camp (campers will meet astronaut, Wendy Lawrence!)
August 2–6: Grades 4-6
Explore life as an astronaut traveling to and living in outer space. Learn how astronauts are trained and about the work they really do. Veteran astronaut, Wendy Lawrence, will speak to the campers at 3:30PM on 8/5. Parents are welcome to come and hear Wendy speak as well. 9 am-4 pm DCI member: $150; non-member: $175
Geology
August 9–13: Grades 4-6
Learn to identify different types of rocks. Explore “earth-shattering” topics like earthquakes and volcanoes, and study tectonic plates and the effects their moving and scraping continue to have on the earth’s landforms. 9 am-4 pm DCI member: $150; non-member: $175
Astronomy
August 16–20: Grades 2-4
Explore the mysteries of the planets, stars and galaxies. Spend some time in our exciting STARLAB planetarium and learn about the constellations and the myths surrounding them. 9 am-4 pm : DCI member: $150; non-member: $175
Outreach Programs
- Science Festivals – Science Festivals are two hour sessions composed of one Show, two Guided Activities and ten or more Table Top Exhibits.
- Shows/Assemblies – These 30 – 45 minute shows cover topics like forces, air pressure, extreme temperatures or circus science. Each show requires audience participation to convey the scientific concepts.
- Guided Activities - Each Activity starts by covering the basic concept and application of a science or engineering topic then letting the participants explore the topic in more depth through experimentation. Topics include Geodesic Domes, Chromatography, Rockets and others.
- Starlab – DCI has a portable planetarium which can be set up in school gyms for star talks and constellation viewing throughout the year.
- Table Top Exhibits - These are smaller versions of DCI exhibits which are set up in schools, libraries and other community centers.
- DCI Teen Club