Destination Discovery!
5th Annual Bald Eagle Family Float Trip
on the Skagit River
Saturday, January 23, 2010

Join Pacific Science Center on a Destination Discovery experience to see the largest gathering of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states! Pacific Science Center is partnering with Alpine Adventure's Wild & Scenic River Tours to provide this incredible opportunity. Every year, approximately 500 bald eagles migrate to the Skagit River from all over the Northwest to scavenge on spawned salmon. It is nature at its most basic and magnificent! This ten-mile float includes the Bald Eagle Sanctuary and lasts about two hours. The rapids on this river section are rated Class I (moving water with small waves). Suggested minimum age is six years old.

On our float we will learn about the Skagit River, bald eagles and salmon as well as the Endangered Species Act and the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. This section of the Skagit River is a conservation zone, managed by the North Cascades National Park, U.S. Forest Services, Skagit County Parks & Recreation, Seattle City Light, and Nature Conservancy of Washington.

Price

• Pacific Science Center Members: $125 per adult; $85 per child under 13
• Non-members: $150 per adult; $100 per child under 13
• Includes hot lunch, river gear, and sales tax PLUS all trip proceeds return to benefit Pacific Science Center!

Reservations
Please contact Leah Hausman, Development Manager at Pacific Science Center, at (206)443-3642 or email →leah_hausman@pacsci.org to purchase your tickets. Please make your reservations by January 18, 2010. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Meet Time & Location
10:00 a.m. at Howard Miller Steelhead County Park. You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the meeting location.

For More Information:
To sign up for this program or for more information, please contact Leah Hausman at (206)443-3642 or →travel@pacsci.org.

Destination Discovery!
2nd Annual Family Astronomy Weekend
August 13-15, 2010

Join Pacific Science Center for our second annual weekend of astronomy and natural discovery. Led by a team of enthusiastic Pacific Science Center instructors, there will be a variety of activities and programs throughout the weekend. This trip is sure to be an "out of this world" experience for the whole family!

During the day, we will learn about our solar system, meteors, comets, constellations and their mythology, and much more. You will enjoy star shows in our Starlab portable planetarium, build your own telescope, create your own starfinder - the list goes on. There will even be a guest lecture or two.

After dark, discover the night sky like you've never seen it before. Our first night of observations will take place at the nearby Goldendale Observatory, where we will be able to view the night sky through their 24.5 inch telescope. On our second night, Science Center staff will lead a full night of observing at our campsite. And since our trip coincides with the annual Perseids meteor shower, there will be a lot to observe.

Cost:
$250 per adult
$150 per child under 14
Cost includes two nights accommodation, all meals, materials for activities, and everything else that will happen this weekend. We provide all the telescopes. A portion of your proceeds even returns to benefit Pacific Science Center! You are responsible for your own transportation.

Participation in this program is a benefit of membership with Pacific Science Center. Not a member? Not a problem! You can join or renew when registering for the trip.

About the Location:
We will be staying at the Brooks Memorial State Park's Environmental Learning Center, located just outside of Goldendale, WA. The facilities are rustic. You may choose to sleep in one of the Center's dormitory-style cabins or bring your own tent. Restrooms and showers are nearby and easily accessible. Facilities also include a kitchen, meeting room, and dining area.

For More Information:
To sign up for this program or for more information, please contact Leah Hausman at (206)443-3642 or →travel@pacsci.org.

Unfortunately, this tour has been cancelled. If you are interested in trips like this, please let us know by contacting Leah Hausman at (206) 443-3642 or travel@pacsci.org. We hope you will join us on another adventure!

Astrophysics in Italy: Galileo to Gran Sasso
Featuring Astrophysicist Michael Shara
October 3-11, 2010

Co-sponsored with American Museum of Natural History Expeditions

HIGHLIGHTS

• Private lectures with tour study leader Michael Shara, Curator of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
• Walking tours of Florence and Rome.
• Private tour of the Institute & Museum of the History of Science, where we will view dozens on Galileo's instruments.
• Wine tasting lunch in Chianti.
• View the Tuscan skies at Arcetri's observatory, a world-class institution operated by the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics.
• Private tour of the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, a cutting edge underground astrophysics lab.
• Private tour of The Planetarium and Astrological Museum of Rome.
• Welcome and farewell receptions.

DAILY ITINERARY

October 3 United States - Florence
Depart the United States on independent overnight flights to Florence. (Meals in flight)

October 4 Florence
Arrive this morning and transfer to the Hotel Brunelleschi, located near the Duomo in the center of Florence. After independent lunches and time to settle into your hotel, gather in the early evening for an introductory lecture by Michael Shara. Meet fellow travelers at a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel. Hotel Brunelleschi (R,D)

October 5 Galileo's Florence
After this morning's lecture with Michael Shara, take a walking tour in the footsteps of Galileo through the streets of Florence - viewing some of the places he once lived and frequented. At Santa Maria Novella - Florence's first great basilica and the city's principal Dominican church - see where the great astronomer's theories were first attacked from the pulpit. On the exterior of the church note a number of astronomical features. At the church of Santa Croce see his tomb, featuring the moons of Jupiter. Next to him lies his favored daughter, Maria Celeste. The church also contains the tombs of Dante and Michelangelo. Enjoy lunch at leisure before embarking on a private tour of the Institute & Museum of the History of Science, where you will view dozens of Galileo's instruments including his compass, telescope and microscope and learn how these instruments influenced his discoveries. Return to the hotel for independent dinners in Florence. Hotel Brunelleschi (B)

October 6 Chianti
Journey into the Chianti countryside and visit a former medieval Benedictine abbey which is now an enchanting villa and winery. Tour the restored abbey and the lovely gardens and savor some of the estates delectable olive oils. Enjoy a wine tasting lunch prior to returning to Florence for an evening at leisure. Hotel Brunelleschi (B,L)

October 7 Florence - Arcetri
Savor some free time in Florence to take in the many artistic splendors of the city or enjoy a stroll through the food markets of the city to observe the colors and flavors of the season. This afternoon drive up to Arcetri for stunning views and a glimpse of Villa il Gioiello, where the persecuted Galileo spent the final years of his life under house arrest. It was here also that he dictated his Dialogue Concerning Two Chief World Systems, a book that became fundamental for modern scientific pursuits. Nearby, pause at the 14th century Convent of San Matteo where his daughters were entered into the order of the Poor Clares. Enjoy a dinner of local specialties near his former home. Tonight view the Tuscan skies at Arcetri's observatory, a world-class institution operated by the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics. Viewing the skies with the observatory telescope highlights the brilliance of Galileo and how he formulated his theories, given that his instruments had 30-40% less visibility. Hotel Brunelleschi (B,D)

October 8 Caprarola - Rome
Depart Tuscany and drive south towards Rome. Visit the beautiful 16th-century Villa Farnese in Caprarola, built in the shape of a pentagon with a circular interior courtyard and beautiful Italian gardens. Admire the Sala del Mappamondo (world map room) where all walls are painted with the four continents known at the time. Enjoy a lunch of local specialties, before continuing into the center of Rome. Mecenate Palace (B,L)

October 9 Gran Sasso National Laboratory
After a morning lecture to introduce the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, drive to Assergi to explore this fascinating institution. A specially arranged tour of the facility will include time in the exhibition room and a look at some of the most significant experiments in these world class underground laboratories. Return to Rome in the late afternoon. Mecenate Palace (B,L)

October 10 Rome
This morning visit The Planetarium and Astrological Museum of Rome. Recent physics and astrophysics graduates from the University of Rome will lead the tour through these two complementary high-tech multimedia structures. This afternoon's walking tour will include the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Meridian Line built at the orders of Pope Clement XI by astronomer Francesco Bianchini. Gather for a festive farewell reception and dinner this evening. Mecenate Palace (B,R,D)

October 11 Rome - United States
Transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport for individual flights back to the United States.

TRIP DETAILS

Double occupancy - $6,495
Single supplement - $995

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Expedition price is based on a minimum of 20 participants. A deposit of $600 per person is required to reserve space on this tour. Airfare from your home to Florence and return from Rome is not included. We offer competitive airfares on this program through our designated travel agency, Premiere Travel, and will be pleased to assist you with your travel arrangements.

INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS

For more information about this tour or Pacific Science Center's Destination Discovery travel program, please contact Leah Hausman at (206)443-3642 or travel@pacsci.org. To reserve space on this tour, call Academic Travel Abroad at 1-800-462-8687.