Children's Author to Appear at Children's Museum Feb. 7

Nationally-known children's writer Janice VanCleave, author of the "Most Popular Science Experiments" series, will make a special-guest appearance at the Ollie Mae Moen Discovery Center on Feb. 7 as part of the museum's "Creatures and Culture" family day. VanCleave recently returned from a trip to Antarctica where she did hands-on research for her next book. During her appearance at the Discovery Center, she will discuss her South Pole experiences and demonstrate some of her fun experiments. Van Cleave's presentations are scheduled for 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
In addition to VanCleave's program, prominent Waco artist Harriet Hayward will have an open studio and preview of her spring paintings. Rick Strot, visiting lecturer in curriculum and instruction at Baylor University's School of Education, will present puppet shows at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., and the City of Waco Recycling Department will assist children with paper-making.
All exhibit areas of the Discovery Center will be open and children will be able to try on clothes from around the world, blow bubbles, pet rabbits and guinea pigs, beat Native American drums, and make greeting cards on a hand-operated printing press. Teachers who attend "Creatures and Culture" can watch video presentations of the PBS documentary A Science Odyssey and can receive educator's guides and posters pertaining to the nationwide PBS Science Odyssey Project.
"Creatures and Culture" will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is free. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Discovery Center, located at 815 Columbus Ave., is the children's hands-on facility of the Strecker Museum Complex at Baylor.
For more information on "Creatures and Culture" or A Science Odyssey, contact the Discovery Center at 757-0922