NYSCI celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with hands-on science activities. Kids can make solar calculators, explore StarLab, NYSCI’s portable planetarium, and build architectural structures, all while discovering a variety of ways that Central and Latin American peoples contributed to the science of astronomy, food and architecture. Face painting, live musical performances, and folk dancing will bring a festive atmosphere to the event. Free with NYSCI admission.

Activities include:

• Planetarium Shows – Learn how ancient people were the first astronomers able to predict seasons in an interactive planetarium show. 11 & 11:30 am, 1, 1:30, 3 & 3:30 pm
• Solar Calculator Activity – Make a solar calculator to take home that will allow you to predict the rising and setting of the sun. 11 am – 4 pm
• Build a Mayan City – Help create a city modeled after the strong and stable structures built by the ancient Mayan civilization. 11 am – 4 pm
• Mask-Making – Design and create your own unique and colorful mask out of fruits and vegetables that are native to Central and Latin America. 11 am – 4 pm
• Build a Bridge – Build a suspension bridge with blocks. 11 am – 4 pm
• Musical Performances – Unique musical performances celebrating Latin American Culture. The Quintet of the Americas interprets folk and contemporary wind quintet music of North and South America (1 pm). And Frank Valiente performs on the piano (4 pm).
• Dance Performances – Watch a variety of folk dances. noon, 2, 2:30, 3 & 3:30 pm
• Face Painting – 11 am – 5 pm
• Royal Botanical Expedition Display – View a collection of botanical prints. 11 am – 5 pm

Sunday October 09,2011