Rec and Park offers summer science programs for kids

Sciensational Workshops For Kids, through Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, is offering several programs to teach science concepts through experimental learning to children this summer. These classes include the following:

•Chemical Magic-Rocks and Minerals Workshops: This program allows children ages 6 to 11 years to become a chemical detective. Children will make candy in the lab, make batteries from oranges and lemons, produce and keep coppercoat nickels from electricity, make incredible "Hulk Glue" out of skim milk and learn the different types of rocks and minerals.

Classes are from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, July 10 through Aug. 3.

•The Talking Clock: Children ages 7 to 12 will learn to make a clock that will talk and tell the hour and minutes. Students will learn about making the gears and circuits involved. Instructors will be on hand to help.

This workshop is for children who like fixing or making things. Time will be available for building some motorized machines and gadgets. The workshop is from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 30 through Aug. 3.

•Make It and Take It Home: In this hands-on program, students ages 6 to 11 will make and take home a wide assortment of toys, such as crystal trees, an energy bead bracelet, a lava lamp and bubbling blobs. Classes are from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, Aug. 6 through 10.

•Electronic Lab Workshop: This workshop will use easytounderstand experiments to increase knowledge of electronics. The electronic kit is reusable, and students ages 7 to 12 proceed at their own pace. Classes are from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Aug. 6 to 10.

•Maglev Cars, Levitation For Future Transportation: Students ages 7 to 12 will build a futuristic maglev car to race and take home and will also learn about the relationship between magnetism and electricity, the two forces behind levitation in a maglev car. Students will learn how motors and generators work. The workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, Aug. 13 to 17.

•Thingamajig and Hovercrafts: Children ages 6 to 11 will build and keep a "Thingamajig" vehicle, which is powered by more than one source of energy, or build and keep an airpowered hovercraft.

Students will learn to defy gravity, control the action and learn about Newton's Laws of Motion, energy, air pressure, friction, lift, speed, acceleration and more. Workshops are from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Aug. 13 to 17.

You may register online at www.rsrpd.org or call the district office at (805) 584-4400 for information.