Science center to arrive in Greenville

Go-Science, a non-profit program aimed at bringing informal science education programs to the public, is developing a regional science center in Eastern North Carolina. According to their Web site, Go-Science will focus on "enhancing the level of science and math literacy for all people in the region."

It will include a planetarium, temporary and permanent exhibit spaces, a Challenger Learning Center, which will provide realistic mock-ups of Mission Control and an orbiting space station, the East Carolina University Center for Science Technology and Math Education, advanced life-sciences and physics-chemistry classrooms, a local television studio with a complete weather department and studio, as well as a gift shop and café.

The center will be open to the public as a regional resource center, and will offer programs for grade school students, undergraduate and graduate studies and independent adult learners.

Executive Director and ECU alumnus, Roger Conner, says the center will appeal to all age groups, and offers a lot for ECU students.

"There's going to be something for everyone at Go-Science. It's not just for young children, it's for young adults, young professionals, as well as adults," said Conner. "We'll have exhibits for all age groups and opportunities for a great diversity of people."

"There's going to be many opportunities for students--some of those include volunteer opportunities and internship opportunities."

Those internship opportunities are not limited to science majors. Go-Science will enlist help in many different areas from communication-related activities, to art and design. Volunteer opportunities are available now, and job opportunities will be available in the future. The center will also be a resource for researchers at ECU, and give them the opportunity to interact with the public.

Go-Science will offer many unique learning and entertainment opportunities for all ages. While the facility is still in development, an outreach program is taking science into classrooms across the region, offering hands-on, innovative learning. This includes a portable planetarium outreach program in which a portable planetarium is taken into schools all over eastern North Carolina. Conner said this is another great opportunity for ECU students.

"Students can be trained and we'll actually certify them, and they will learn how to take a portable planetarium out," Conner said.

According to Conner, the center is in "late stage development." Currently, planners of the project are in the process of finding appropriate sites in uptown Greenville.

"Right now Go-Science is working to establish an informal science education center in the uptown area of Greenville within walking distance of ECU," Conner said.

Go-Science is currently seeking financial support from the community. Conner said all size donations are welcome and students are encouraged to donate and take advantage of the many benefits of the center.

There are many upcoming events and opportunities to get involved with Go-Science, either to learn or to serve as a volunteer. Throughout the year Go-Science will be having events in commemoration of the International Year of Astronomy. They are also in the process of planning fundraisers for the fall. Students interested in fundraising can get involved with planning events, as well as create their own fundraising page through the Go-Science Web page.

Last night, Go-Science, along with Sigma Xi, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and ECU, hosted a Science Café at Ham's Restaurant. The purpose of the Science Café was to blend scientists with the general public to discuss current research and its implications and to make science accessible and relevant to everyday life for people with no scientific background. David Chalcraft and Jason Bond, professors in the Biology Department at ECU, spoke on "Banking on Your Future: The Value of Saving Our Planet's Biodiversity."

Bond is the scientist who named a spider after Stephen Colbert, and has been featured several times on "The Colbert Report." The Science Café will be held every other month in various restaurants and other informal venues. The events are free and food is served, and the public is given the opportunity to chat face-to-face with scientists about current issues.

The science center will serve a region in which many counties are economically distressed and struggling to keep up with the technological and educational demands of the evolving medical, pharmaceutical and biotech industries that have developed in the area. According to a press release, the center will play an important role in developing "a mathematical and scientific literate workforce to fill current positions and to entice similar industries to relocate to Eastern North Carolina."

The ECU Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology Education has compiled a variety of resources for educators, students and parents and made them available to the public through the Go-Science Web site.

For more information about Go-Science, or to learn about fundraising and volunteer opportunities, visit go-science.org.

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com