The Children's Museum proudly hosts NASSA [Neighborhood After School Science Association]: the middle school winner in the Joides Resolution art design contest; 1 of 3 finalists in a Bubblewrap Invention Contest, NASA design challenge finalists & a Mars Rover naming finalist! Their exhibits & videos are on permanent display on the Museum's 4th floor!

The Children's & Science Museum of CNY/ Download Rome newspaper article / article2

July 1st - Thursday evening 6:00-7:00pm program at The Capitol Theatre in Rome: "Is Global Warming Real?: What We Have Learned from Deep-Sea Sediments" presented by Mark Leckie – Professor of Geology and Head of the Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts. There is considerable discussion and controversy in the news today surrounding the issue of global warming. Is global warming real? If so, is it related to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels? During this presentation and discussion, we will consider some of the evidence for global warming today as well as the emerging and potential consequences. We will also consider evidence for abrupt warming (and cooling) events from our planet's past based on deep-sea sediment cores. These archives of Earth history provide compelling evidence that our ocean-climate system can change very rapidly under different types of environmental conditions. This promises to be a lively and engaging discussion. Mark will also present an award to 1 of 3 international contest winners, Lilly Bulawa, from the NASSA group the museum proudly hosts! Background: Mark Leckie has taught at UMass since 1985. Co-led the scientific instruction of the JOI/IODP School of Rock expedition in 2005. Since 2006, he has taught or co-taught numerous workshops about teaching with authentic scientific ocean drilling data for both teachers and students, including the Urbino (Italy) Summer School for Paleoclimatology. Leckie is a marine micropaleontologist and specializes in paleoceanography, particularly reconstructing ocean-climate history of the past 120 million years, and has published >50 peer-reviewed papers. He has participated in 7 DSDP/ODP scientific expeditions. Mark has served on the Education Subcommittee of US Advisory Committee, as well as other service panels of the Ocean Drilling Program. He has served as an associate editor of the Geology, Paleoceanography, and the Journal of Foraminiferal Research. Mark is a co-author of a classroom activity book: Investigating the Oceans, an Interactive Guide to the Science of Oceanography (Leckie and Yuretich, 2003). He teaches courses in Introductory Oceanography, History of the Earth, Field Methods, Micropaleontology, and Paleoceanography. Download Program

July 2nd - Friday 10:00am to 1:00pm program at The Children's Museum in Utica NY: "Events from Earth History Revealed in Deep-Sea Sediment Cores"- with Mark Leckie. Why did the dinosaurs go extinct? Has global warming ever occurred in Earth's past? These questions can be explored by studying sediments that were deposited in the deep ocean. What are deep-sea sediments made of, and how can sediments tell us about the evolution of life or past climate change? Come see what deep-sea sediment cores look like and learn what secrets they reveal about our home planet's history. The interactive programs were for children of all ages with adults at The Children's & Science Museum of CNY, located at 311 Main Street, Utica NY. Mark presented an award to 1 of 3 int'l contest winners, Lilly Bulawa, from the NASSA group the museum proudly hosts! Reduced Special Admission $6. these two days.
July 3rd - Saturday 10:00am to 1:00pm program: Repeat of Friday's program. Attendees at museum programs will receive posters, pencils, stickers etc. as giveaways.

Lilly Bulawa, of Ava, is the Middle School winner in the JOIDES Resolution original artwork contest focusing on science and deep sea drilling. Above is her winning entry. A Scientist Explorer from the JOIDES Resolution international ship - a scientific research vessel, working on the Ocean Drilling Program, will be at The Children's Museum on July 2nd & July 3rd to present Lilly with her award, and conduct programs for children and families. A Community Program is also being arranged for Thursday night. In addition to the special award presentation, the scientist's program will make connections between Gas hydrates, global warming, & scientific ocean drilling. The vessel named for the HMS Resolution, commanded by Captain James Cook over 200 years ago, is 469 ft long & 69 ft) wide. Attendees at museum program will receive posters, pencils, stickers etc. as giveaways.

MaryAnn Bulawa, of Ava, 1 of 3 finalists in the Nat'l Bubble WrapR Competition for Young Inventors, entered by 2500 students in grades five through eight. The NASSA member won a 3-day trip to NYC, appeared on CBS Early Show, toured Bubble Wrap factory, and at a ceremony received her award and a U.S. Savings Bond. Entries were required to demonstrate ingenuity by creating an invention that incorporated the use of Bubble Wrap® brand cushioning. The Smart Toilet includes a "plunger", made of Bubble Wrap, which fits inside a hole made in a toilet seat cover and helps displace water - for conservation and energy. Bulawa’s mentor for the project was her mom, in cooperation with the Children’s Museum in Utica. The Smart Toliet, unveiled her at CM Sat, May 29th is a permanent museum exhibit.

4-13-10 The NASSA Team by their permanent exhibit on CM's 4th floor showing their Waste Management / Water Recyling design project - "Got Water!" The top WLMR Design Challenge Winners included our amazing NASSA team, receiving an Honorable Mention!

Utica City Councilman Frank Vescera congratulates the student group & the museum

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