Summer 2012

Take the challenge, GO GREENWITH COSI

THE SCIENCE OF FIREWORKS

Go behind the boom

Get ready for a12 MONTH

BRAIN TRIP

SIDEWALKCHALK

science experiment

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2 | COSI News

Green up your lawn with less waterHealthy lawns can help Ohioans conserve and protect water. Ohio receives an average of 37 inches of rainfall per year, which is enough to meet the water requirements of most lawns across the state. The key is preparation and practicing good lawn care techniques in the spring and early summer before temperatures rise and rainfall becomes less frequent.

Now through September 3, 2012Free with membership or paid admission.

It surrounds us,sustains us,

and challenges us…

Water is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org) and the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul (www.smm.org), in collaboration with Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland; The Field Museum, Chicago; Instituto Sangari, São Paulo, Brazil; National Museum of Australia, Canberra; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto,

Canada; San Diego Natural History Museum; and Science Centre Singapore with PUB Singapore.

Why is water abundant in some places while scarce in others? What can I do to help protect Earth’s most precious resource? Learn all about the substance

that covers nearly three-quarters of Earth’s surface in this exciting traveling exhibition!

Make sure your grass is fed and healthy going into the summer months. Fertilizer practices can also enhance the drought tolerance and water conservation of turfgrass. Whether using compost or fertilizer, lawns like other plants require proper nutrition to thrive. Spring feedings will help the grass establish energy reserves and an extensive root system in preparation for a hot, dry summer. Fertilizers with potassium, which promotes increased root growth and thicker cell walls, help lawns increase tolerance to many stresses, including drought.

Taller grass is stronger grass. When grass is mowed short, the plants try to build energy reserves by growing more grass blades, spending less energy on root development. This actually leads to more frequent mowing and shallow roots. A higher mowing setting will help the grass grow

a deeper and more extensive roots system that is able to access moisture deep in the soil. Taller grass also provides constant shade to the soil surface helping reduce the rate of evaporation as well as crowding out unwanted weeds.

Don’t rely on automated sprinkler systems. This practice, which waters the lawn regardless of any

rainfall received, is actually detrimental to the grass because it promotes shallow roots, a lawn that requires more water, and one that cannot withstand periods of drought. To further promote deep roots, water your lawn only when signs of wilt occur. When a lawn needs water, the tips of the grass blades will begin to roll, or fold in half lengthwise, and footprints will remain in the grass long after being made. Apply only enough water to wet the soil in the roots zone. Do not water again until signs of wilt reoccur. This technique works regardless of the turfgrass species, soil type, or season.

Healthy lawns not only help conserve water during the summer, they help protect water quality by capturing and filtering heavy rains in the spring and fall, reducing stormwater run-off and protecting our local waterways from erosion.

Presenting Sponsor Media Partners

From the experts at:

Education Partner

cosi.org | 3

COSI takes the

Are you up for the

Green Challenge!

GreenChallenge?

Stop electronic vampires. Chargers for your electronics (cell phones, e-tablets, game devices, etc.) suck a lot of energy, even when they’re not in use. Remember to unplug them, or better yet, invest in chargers that stop drawing current when the device’s battery is full. You could cut your energy bill by as much as 10% annually.

Use a bike when you can. Ride your bike for trips shorter than 2 miles (grocery store, ice cream shop, yoga class, gym, coffee shop) and you cut your carbon footprint significantly, save money on gasoline and car maintenance, and increase your fitness level.

AMY, Director for Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives & LAURA, Exhibit Designer >

Green your laundry. The typical family does almost 400 loads of laundry each year, consuming about 13,500 gallons of water. To reduce your personal energy and water use, wash only full loads of laundry, hand wash single garments, use only cold water, and consider buying a high efficiency washing machine.

Replace traditional light bulbs. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) use about 75% less energy than an incandescent bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer. Each CFL bulb keeps 450 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere during its lifetime.

BRIAN, Senior Director of Facilities >

Use your own coffee cup. Using an insulated travel mug helps eliminate waste from cardboard cups and carrying sleeves which are thrown away at a rate of 58 billion each year. Plus, some coffee shops offer a discount if you bring your own cup.

Support local farmers. Adding more fruits and vegetables to your week is not only good for you, it can help local farmers plus decrease our energy use.

< PENNY, Team Leader for Early Childhood Education

Cut back on paper towels. Instead of grabbing a paper towel for wiping up spills and cleaning counters, invest in cotton cloths and fabric napkins; then drop them in the wash when you run a load of laundry. Using the cloth alternative can help eliminate the 3000 tons of paper towels that end up in landfills every day.

This year, COSI’s Sustainability Task Force (the folks who encourage us to stay more eco-friendly) challenged COSI Team Members to take more steps to go green. They offered us these EASY ideas to help us become more eco-friendly in our everyday lives.

This summer we challenge you and your family to adopt some of these tips into your regular

routine. Let us know how you’re doing on COSI’s Facebook page!

Remember your reusable bags. With more than 1 million plastic bags ending up in the trash every minute, taking reusable bags to the store is an easy and effective way to shrink your carbon footprint and reduce waste. The hardest part about using them is remembering to take them.

< MARY ANN, Research and Evalutation Associate

Compost your food waste. Each year a typical household throws away about 474 pounds of food waste. Composting that waste and turning it into fertilizer is easy and can have a big impact. To find out more, check out this webpage from The Ohio State University: “Composting at Home” http://bit.ly/IakV99

COSI recently added food waste composting to our waste management program and we also switched from disposable servingware to reusable plates, bowls, and silverware in the Atomic Café. These changes to our operations can help prevent 62% of our waste from ending up in a landfill. You can help COSI when you eat in the Atomic Café.

COSI’s recycling and composting efforts are supported by the ODNR Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention.

4 | COSI News

AUGUST4: Science of Sports: Soccer (11am–3:30pm)Join representatives from the Columbus Crew and COSI to learn the science behind soccer. *Due to a game, Crew players will not be able to attend.

11: Science Day: Water Play (11am–3:30pm)Explore the ways we use moving water to splash, soak, spray, and move ourselves from one place to another. Add our Weather Family Workshop for an additional fee.

15: Farm Days: Little Seeds, Big Tractors exhibit opens (through August 19)Climb on huge farming equipment – including a combine, a four-wheel drive tractor, antique tractors & more!

31: Family Friday NightCOSI open until 9pm.

JUNE2: Science Day: Art and Science (11am–3:30pm)Work with artists and scientists to tap into your creativity and imagination to solve problems. Add the Flight Family Workshop for an additional fee.

9: The Science of BigMachines exhibit opens(through June 17)Get behind the wheels of bulldozers, dump trucks, and backhoes!

23: Science of Sports: Baseball (11am–3pm)Join representatives from the Columbus Clippers* and COSI to learn the science behind baseball through interactive activities.*Due to a game, Clippers players will not be able to attend.

SEPTEMBER1: Get Active Play Day (11am–3:30pm)Parachute games, three-legged races, water-balloon toss, bubbles and chalk, kites, obstacle course, and more!

3: WATER exhibit closes.

4–25: COSI closed for maintenence.

28: Family Friday NightCOSI open until 9pm.

29: LEGO® Castle Adventure exhibit opensSee next page for details.

29: Mini-Maker Faire (10am–5pm)A family-friendly celebration of do-it-yourself creativity, learning and tinkering. See displays and demonstrators, plus participate in hands-on workshops. Hosted by the Columbus Idea Foundry. Tickets required for this event.

29: Science Day: Make It (11am–3:30pm)Be inspired by the Mini-Maker Faire displays and unleash your own creativity with hands-on activities that will allow your family to build, invent, construct, design and play.

2012 Summer Calendar

Welcome Columbus Historical Society!Located just inside the entrance, this newly opened exhibit space features historical artifacts, a full-sized car made in Columbus, an interactive quiz and more. Now through Labor Day, the exhibit will focus on the first half of Columbus’ 200 years.

CREATED AND MADE POSSIBLE BY

PRESENTED BY

EXHIBIT GROWN BY

SUPPORTED BY

Where did Space go?It’s above you! Space moved up to the Mezzanine Level at COSI which helps us bring more exciting new experiences for our guests. Ask a COSI Team Member for help getting to the Mezzanine Level or check the COSI MAP. We also said goodbye to the Black Hole to help us make way for the COSI of the future.

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29: Family Friday NightCOSI open until 9pm.Learn about local rivers, watersheds, and natural resources during Riverfest 2012’s grand finale celebration at COSI.

JULY3: Downtown Fireworks *COSI closed to the general public.

3: Fireworks With COSISee page 6 for details.

4: Science Day: Mess Fest (10am–3pm)Get messy on Independence Day with all our favorite messy experiments and ooey-gooey demonstrations. Add the Science of Fireworks Family Workshop for an additional fee.

21: COSI and Radio Disney’s:Phineas and Ferb Themed Road Show (11am–1pm)COSI presents the Radio Disney Road Crew for a totally rockin’ show featuring Disney Channel’s Phineas and Ferb-themed music, games and prizes. *Characters will not be available

27: Family Friday NightCOSI open until 9pm.

COSI open 7 days a week

throughLabor Day!*

cosi.org | 5

brain trip12–Month

COSI’s 12–Month Brain Trip begins this fall with LEGO® Castle Adventure, fun for builders of all ages. Build brick castles, learn about real-world castles, and plan your ideal castle’s defenses. Younger visitors can dress up in costume, joust on “horseback” and explore the castle grounds. Older kids can build a catapult-proof wall, then test it with our giant LEGO® catapult. This exhibit runs September 29, 2012, through January 6, 2013.

Also coming this fall is one of the most magnificent exhibits COSI has ever hosted – Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS & The Brain. This world-renowned exhibit includes 200 authentic human specimens – including entire bodies, individual organs, and transparent body slices. This exhibition highlights neuroscience, brain development, and performance and invites profound reflection on the power, beauty, and fragility of the amazing human body and brain. Learn how healthy and unhealthy bodies function in this extremely rare look behind our skin. This exhibit runs October 17, 2012, through January 6, 2013.

Starting in January 2013 you can boost your brainpower with MindBender Mansion, a fun and quirky place filled with brainteasers and

interactive challenges guaranteed to test even the most experienced puzzlers. Visitors are invited to join

the Mindbender Society by gathering hidden clues and secret passwords scattered throughout the various thematic rooms of the house. This exhibit runs January 26 through April 28, 2013.

Next summer, COSI brings you Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition. Just like Discovery Channel’s Emmy-nominated series, this exhibit shows you how to uncover the truth behind everything from blowing down a brick house to staying dry in the rain. Try a dozen hands-on experiments that will get your mind racing, watch live MythBusting demonstrations, and explore authentic props and gadgets direct from

the MythBusters set. This exhibit runs June 8 through September 2, 2013.

Make sure your COSI Membership is up to date,

because you won’t want to miss any of these mind-blowing experiences! In fact, COSI Members will receive free or discounted admission to these special exhibits. Visit cosi.org or the Member & Donor Services Desk at COSI to renew.

The human brain might be nature’s most complex computer. The human body itself is quite intricate and at the center of all of the things that make you breathe, blink your eyes, and even grow new cells is the brain. COSI has always been a great place to exercise your human computer, but starting in September, you can celebrate all things cerebral with COSI’s 12-Month BRAIN TRIP — a full year of minds-on exhibits that will challenge you with complex puzzles, amazing facts, and loads of fun.

Produced by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis incooperation with LEGO Systems, Inc. LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of

the LEGO Group. ©2012 The LEGO Group. All rights reserved.

LEGO® Castle Adventure Contributing Sponsor:

©2012 DCL. MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition is organized by EDG, GMC+A, Discovery and MSI, Chicago. MythBusters Developed and Produced by Beyond Entertainment Limited.

Mindbender Mansion is produced and toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry,

Portland, Oregon. ©2012.

BODY WORLDS & The Brain Presented By:

6 | COSI News

BOOM…BOOM BOOM!! (crackle crackle crackle crackle) The ground rumbles…children cover their ears…and every fourth of July the sky comes to life with lights, color and sound. Fireworks are as American as baseball and apple pie, but how many Americans actually know how they work?

Fireworks are a brilliant way to learn about chemistry, physics, and the science of explosives. To get from the ground to the air, fireworks need a little help from Isaac Newton’s law of action and reaction. A lift charge, burning black powder mixed with an oxidizer, produces gas that pushes down, lifting the firework shell up. Once the shell is in the air, a second charge of black powder ignites. Instead of burning slowly, though, this charge explodes with a loud bang. Some shells also contain aluminum or magnesium metal. These burn with an intense white light, making those blinding flashes that often come with the booming sound you feel in your chest.

And how are they so colorful? In color-producing fireworks, small “stars” are embedded in the fuel. When these stars ignite, metal salts inside flash into beautiful colors and patterns. Each star contains a special mixture to burn with the desired color. Barium salts produce green, strontium salts make red, copper compounds make a variety of blues, and sodium (the same stuff that gives you high blood pressure) burns a golden yellow.

What about those special shapes – smiley faces or even the letters OSU – that appear in the sky? For patterns, the stars are laid out inside the shell in a miniature version of the desired shape. When the shell explodes, these stars are blown right into position to make the patterns appear.

Your whole family will have a blast learning more about this spectacular tradition at COSI with our Science of Fireworks Live Show and Family Workshop on selected dates from May through July. You’ll also love a taste of our very own liquid nitrogen ice cream! Cost is $5 per person.

The science behind the

BOOM!

FireworksA Booming Event to Inspire Bright Futures

Tuesday, July 3, 2012Doors open at 4pmPicnic Buffet 6–8pmEvent Concludes at 11:45pm

The biggest and best Independence Day fireworks celebration in the Midwest will illuminate the sky above COSI and you can have a front row seat. All proceeds from the Fireworks with COSI event will support COSI’s mission to inspire and motivate children with an interest in science though access to engaging, interactive learning experiences.

Package includes:• Exclusive viewing section on COSI’s west lawn for an up close view of Red, White, & Boom (bring your own chairs or blanket).• Convenient parking pass for lots next to COSI.• Catered picnic buffet with non-alcoholic beverages. Cash bar will be available.• Easy access to all Red, White, & Boom festivities and parade.• Access to select COSI exhibits including WATER, Space, Life, Progress, Gadgets and little kidspace®.• Entertainment and COSI experiences before and after the fireworks.

COSI Member Lawn Seating:Located on COSI’s west lawn. Don’t forget to bring blankets. $55 per adult, $35 per child 12 and under. Children under age 2 are free.

Non-Member Lawn Seating:$75 per adult, $50 per child 12 and under

Reserved Table SeatingIncludes the Fireworks with COSI package plus a reserved table seat, offering a wonderful view and convenient dining experiences. Seats will be assigned based on the number of people in your party. Full tables of 8–10 are available upon request. Limited quantities available. $100 per person.

Reservations:Online at cosi.org/boom, or call 614.228.2674. Limited tickets available. Tickets available for purchase before June 25 or until sold out. Rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable.

Summer

cosi.org | 7

It’s a COSI kind of

Check out these important updates to help you make the most of your membership this summer and all year long!

Members Save on ParkingMembers can now receive $4 discounted parking (save 20%) just by showing a valid COSI Membership Card at the parking booth (cash only please). Or, pre-purchase parking vouchers at the Member & Donor Services Desk.

New Hours in little kidspace® This summer, Premium and Supporting Family Members can enjoy even more exclusive access to little kidspace. COSI has extended little kidspace early access (9–10am) from 3 days a week to 5 days a week (Monday–Friday).

Get Access to More Museums Hitting the road? Don’t forget your COSI Membership Card! COSI Members receive free reciprocal admission to over 300 science centers worldwide. In addition, Premium and Supporting Family Members receive free reciprocal admission for four to nearly 200 children’s museums. (Please note, starting April 1, 2013, the reciprocal admission program for children’s museums will change to 50% off admission for up to six guests.) View details and a full list of participating museums at cosi.org/membership/member-faq

Save at Local RestaurantsPremium and Supporting Family Members also receive a Dine Originals Out on the Town card which provides a 20% discount on lunch or dinner Sundays through Thursdays at participating Dine Originals restaurants, including many of Columbus’ top restaurants. Learn more at cosi.org/membership/events-discounts

Save at Local Museums & AttractionsAs part of a collaborative partnership between Central Ohio museums and attractions, your membership gets you free or discounted admission to participating organizations at special times throughout the year. Visit cosi.org/membership/events-discounts for more information. Partners include Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory, King Arts Complex, Ohio Historical Society, Wexner Center for the Arts.

From Big Machines to Farm Days to the amazing Water exhibition, there is so much to do at COSI this summer! As a Member, you can come as often as you like – come for an hour, the day, or every week. And while school is out, COSI will engage your brain, keeping it in tip-top shape for the start of school in the fall. PLUS – this coming year is a SPECTACULAR year to be a Member, so don’t wait to renew!

Sidewalk Chalk Summer Science!Materials: Plaster of Paris (available in the hardware or craft sections of most department stores); small paper cups (3.5 or 4 oz); measuring spoons; plastic spoons; liquid food coloring; water; newspapers

Procedure:1. Spread newspapers over your work surface. This experiment can get messy!2. Measure 2 teaspoons of water into a paper cup.3. Then add 1 teaspoon of food coloring.4. Finally, add 2 tablespoons of plaster of Paris and begin stirring with the plastic spoon immediately. 5. Stir for about a minute. The plaster and water should have the consistency of mud. Add a little more water if the plaster becomes crumbly.6. Set the cup aside for at least 15 minutes for the plaster to harden. 7. Check the cup at 5 minutes and 10 minutes. Do you notice any changes in the way the outside of the cup feels? (Try not to touch the plaster inside the cup until it hardens)8. Peel away the paper cup and you have sidewalk chalk!

Now, explore! Try making many different colors of chalk. Or, try changing the amount of water that you use. Does this change the way the plaster hardens? The time it takes to harden? The amount of heat generated? Does the amount of water in the cup change the chalk?

What’s Going On?Feel the heat 5–10 minutes after the plaster of Paris and the water mix. This is known as an exothermic reaction. “Exo” means outside and “thermic” means heat. When the calcium sulphate in plaster of Paris dissolves in water, heat is released. This type of heat releasing reaction also occurs when other substances such as salt or some detergents are dissolved in water.

Once the cup is no longer warm to the touch, the plaster has “set up” or hardened and is ready to use on your neighborhood sidewalk or playground. Be sure you have an adult’s permission to use the chalk outside. Clean up is easy - just spray the sidewalk down with water or wait for a good rain.

NOTE: Be very careful NOT to put any plaster of Paris down the sink…it will clog the drain! And when cleaning up spills, do NOT get the powder wet, it will harden and may be difficult to remove.

333 West Broad Street | Columbus, Ohio 43215–2738614.228.COSI | cosi.org

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SUMMER HOURSOpen 7 days a week through Labor Day!Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pmSunday, Noon–6pm

COSI NEWS | Volume 13, Issue Two, May 2012COSI News, the official newsletter of COSI Columbus, is published three times annually as a benefit of membership.

Non ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDColumbus, OHPermit No. 687

Institutional Sponsors

Stay connected with COSI: Text “COSI” to 20731 for special offers on your phone.

Visit cosi.org to subscribe to COSI’s monthly enews.

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C O M I N G T O C O S I ’ S E X T R E M E S C R E E N

Opens June 9, 2012

ANNUAL PRESENTING SPONSOR

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C O S I M E M B E R S P E C I A L O F F E R

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C O S I M E M B E R S P E C I A L O F F E R

SAVE AN EXTRA 10% ON BIRTHDAY PARTIES

During June, July, and August 2012

SAVE AN EXTRA 10%

ON SUMMER CAMPSWhen you book 3 or more camps!

Bring a friend to an Early Childhood Workshop

AND YOU BOTH

SAVE AN EXTRA 10%

During June, July, and August 2012

(must reserve workshop in advance)

SAVE $10WHEN YOU

RENEW YOUR COSI MEMBERSHIPbefore your expiration date

Save 10% off the member price for party dates booked for June, July, and August 2012. Parties must be reserved a

minimum of 3 weeks in advance. Booking subject to availability.

Visit cosi.org for birthday party details. Call 614.228.2674 for reservations.

Coupon code 319

Save an extra 10% off the member price for summer camps when you book 3 or more camps for your family during the summer 2012 camp season.

Camps subject to availability.

Visit cosi.org for summer camp details.Call 614.228.2674 for reservations.

Reserve an infant, toddler, or preschool workshop with a friend and you both save an extra 10% off the member or non-member price for workshops in June, July, and August.

Workshops must be reserved in advance and are subject to availability.

Visit cosi.org for workshop details.

Call 614.228.2674 for reservations.Coupon Code: 320

Renew before your expiration date and save $10. Renew at COSI, cosi.org, or by calling 614.228.2674.

Present or mention the Promotional Code to receive your discount.

Offer excludes Family Access and Supporting Family Memberships. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts.

Valid for membership renewals through August 31, 2012.

Promotional Code: NEWS$10

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