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Edgerton Explorit Center
Aurora, Nebraska; Hamilton County
The Edgerton Explorit Center programming is based on the philosophy of our namesake, Harold “Doc” Edgerton. “Doc” was a native of Aurora known internationally for developing electronic flash photography, strobe light, and side scan sonar. The Center is carrying on “Doc’s” legacy by advancing student knowledge in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) subjects.
We are changing our future by creating amazing experiences that encourage discovery through play, asking questions, exploration, and using creativity to solve simple problems. Amazing experiences turn into unforgettable learning experiences that can inspire and motivate children to want to learn and explore more on their own. The greatest benefit of our programming is that it fosters a love of learning in students of all ages.
Programming options include field trips to the Center in Aurora and our Edgerton On The Move (EOTM) programs – where we bring the science fun to YOU! Both options include time for students to play and explore hands-on exhibits in our Explorit Zones. Those visiting the Center will also get to experience our newly added lower-level Discover-It Zone for a second floor of hands-on fun! Programs can also include exciting live science demonstrations, family nights, hands-on labs and even live raptors! The Family Night option lets parents, siblings, and friends join the STEAM fun!
You can download a copy of our programming guide at this link.
Resources:
Edgerton Center Facilities and Services
Strobe Alley
Strobe Alley features the life and work of Harold “Doc” Edgerton. The Alley is the home of Edgerton’s historic photographs, including the famous “Milk Drop Coronet” and the “Bullet through Apple” photos, as well as his laboratory equipment and information about his work at MIT and explorations with Jacques Cousteau. There are also hands-on exhibits that show Doc’s work with the electronic strobe flash as well.
The Theatre and Demonstrations
Visitors of all ages enjoy the experience of our live interactive science demonstrations presented by the Edgerton Center’s lead educators in our theatre. Each demonstration will get everyone excited about learning science with unique experiments and audience participation. The demos can be done for small groups or entire schools and are great supplements to classroom learning. Two demonstrations are included in the price of field trips to the center. Edgerton On The Move Programs can be just one demo up to a Science Explosion event that includes up to 10 Demonstrations and labs over two days. The demonstration descriptions are available at this link https://edgerton.org/events-programs/demonstration-descriptions/.
Explorit Zone
The Explorit Zone was created based on Harold “Doc” Edgerton’s philosophy to “…teach people in such a way that they don’t realize they are learning until it is too late.” The Zone does this with interactive exhibits that are designed to provide insight into hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) principles. Our Zone puts STEAM into students’ hands by letting them explore, imagine and create as they play and find answers to questions.
Discover-It Zone
A lower level continuation of the Explorit Zone. This space add an additional floor of fun, interactive exhibits to explore.
Traveling Explorit Zone
This is a smaller traveling version of the Explorit Zone that we bring to you. It has over 35 hands-on STEAM activity stations students can rotate through. Typically, it is set up on twelve to fifteen tables in a decent sized room or location that works best
for your school or organization’s event. The Traveling Explorit Zone can be set up for small groups or entire schools including Family Nights where parents and siblings can participate as well.
Hands-On Lab Activities
The Edgerton Explorit Center offers hands-on lab activities both at the Center in Aurora and offsite with our Edgerton On The Move Programs. Lab descriptions and suggested age ranges for those labs are available https://edgerton.org/on-the-move/lab-descriptions/.
Amazing Demonstration and Raptorology Program
The Edgerton Explorit Center annually serves 36,000 people at our center in Aurora, Nebraska and an additional 140,000 students, teachers and parents in schools in all 93 counties of Nebraska with our Edgerton On The Move program (EOTM). We offer field trips to the center where your students get a chance to explore our hands-on exhibits and get two live science demonstrations. This is a link to our demonstration descriptions https://edgerton.org/events programs/demonstration-descriptions/. EOTM Programming takes our award-winning science curriculum on the road. The EOTM Program has options that include science demonstrations, classroom labs, traveling hands-on science exhibits. and the expertise of our highly skilled and trained education staff.
The Eagle has landed! The Edgerton Explorit Center is excited to announce an addition to our Raptorology Program – a male Bald Eagle. We just received our Federal Permit to add the Eagle to our raptor program, which already includes a Screech Owl, American Kestrel and a Swainson’s Hawk so we have 4 out of the 5 birds of prey categories represented. We are the
only Nebraska organization with a bald eagle education ambassador. The Raptorology Program is available at the Center with field trips and with our EOTM Program.
Planetarium (All Age Ranges)
An interactive tour of the night sky, with our portable planetarium, we literally bring the universe to you! Our inflatable dome and projection system cannot only show you the night sky as it appears from Earth, but we can travel throughout the Solar System as well. We can even recreate a view of the sky from the Moon. Shows last thirty minutes and are performed every forty-five minutes. Planetarium requires a room at least 20 feet per side with a ceiling of 10 feet high.
Get STEAMED Portable Miniature Golf (All Ages)
Nine-hole portable science-themed miniature golf course with a twist. Test your science skills by playing our Get STEAMED miniature golf course. Each hole has science questions at that allow players to take strokes off their score if they get them correct. This portable nine-hole course can be customized to your space and has LED battery powered lights so can be set up and play after dark. Minimum space required for set up is 400 square feet. Can be setup indoors or outdoors.
Beyond School Bells Partnership
In 2023, Beyond School Bells and the Edgerton Explorit Center began a partnership for expanded learning opportunities (ELO’s.) The Edgerton Explorit Center has had a long history of offering a successful afterschool program. A key component to our success is the involvement of our high school students. These helpers not only supervise younger students in our afterschool program but also provide support by writing curriculum, teaching sessions, camps, and serving as mentors to our younger students. The High School Helpers developed summer camp and hands-on labs which can be downloaded from this link
https://beyondschoolbells.org/curriculum/edgerton-explorit-center.html.
As an incentive to have schools utilize our curriculum, we are offering scholarships for Edgerton Programming to schools (Priority given to Title 1 Schools) who use the Beyond School Bells curriculum and are willing to do a follow-up survey to provide feedback.
Please contact Mary Molliconi, Executive Director, if you have any questions or if you need additional information at 402-694-4032 or mary@edgerton.org.
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