OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO - MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER

DISCOVERING THE JOYS OF MCWANE CENTER
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
(Writing and photography by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

Have you taken a child to McWane Center recently?  If not; you are missing out on one of the finer things in life!  

This children’s museum was designed to inspire a life-long love for learning.  There is so MUCH for a child to do, learn and explore here.  I would highly recommend that every parent consider this a MUST-DO summer outing.  We took our grandson last summer.  He loved everything about it. 

This awesome place of science and wonder has been open in The Magic City of Birmingham, Alabama since 1998.  It is a magical place where you can see, hear and touch all of the wonders of science.  Adults will enjoy the exhibits just as much as kids!  I caught myself feeling like a child again.   

The focus is on science, technology, engineering and mathematics; but you will just think you are exploring and having fun.  No lectures!  Everything you learn will be through the experience of “doing.”  You can try everything out by trial and error and come up with all of your own answers.  You will be engaged and inspired.  You can create along with everyone else.  One of the best parts of this fun hands-on learning; absolutely NO HOMEWORK!

So how did this special place come about?  Back in 1998 Birmingham’s Discovery Place and The Red Mountain Museum merged to create a new stimulating and interactive science museum.   The merger has been very successful in every way.  The McWane Science Center came to be a state-of-the-art museum housed in the historic and refurbished old Loveman’s Department Store Building. 

How many of you old-timers like me remember going to Loveman’s in Downtown Birmingham as a young child with your parents?  I remember being in such a first-grader’s awe of its magnificent splendor!  To visit the candy department there was to die and go to heaven; only better.  To ride the elevators and to take lunch with your Mother on the Mezzanine level cafe was a very special treat.  We always dressed up in our best clothes just to go shopping there.  It held an atmosphere of luxury and finery, and I still remember my little red wool coat that my Mother bought me at Loveman’s.  I was the envy of every first-grade girl in my little town.    

Those childhood memories of Loveman’s Department Store were good; but they are nothing at all compared to the new memories you will make with your own child or grandchild at the McWane Center.  The magic lives on, and it just gets better!   

McWane Center became a brilliant focal point for Birmingham's redevelopment.  Looking back from where we stand now; the McWane Science Center could truly be called the “cornerstone of Birmingham, Alabama’s downtown revitalization.”  Once it was completed many other doors were opened for the growth and revitalization of this historic area of The Magic City.  What better way than to start with something to inspire the children of this city toward a brighter and more beautiful future by teaching them the science they will need to know to make their mark on the world?  It all begins with learning the basics of science; and teaching children the wonders of science, even beyond the basics, and all of this is where the McWane Science Center excels.

ESSENTIAL DETAILS:

The McWane Science Center is located at 200 19^th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama  35203.  The phone number for the center is:  205-714-8300.  Admission prices for the Adventure Hall and the IMAX may be obtained separate or combined.  Adventure Hall tickets are $13 for Adults, $12 for Seniors and $9 for Children aged 2 – 12.  IMAX only tickets are $9 for Adults, $8 for Seniors, and $8 for Children aged 2 – 12.  Combined tickets for both experiences cost $18 for Adults, $16 for Seniors and $14 for Children aged 2 – 12.  Special membership packages are available in several different combinations, according to your specific needs.  If you are going to come more than once in the year; the membership would probably be to your advantage, especially if you are a grandparent or a large family.  

The doors of the center are open on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 12 noon till 6 p.m.  They are only closed on major holidays.  Covered parking is available on 2^nd Avenue North.  Parking will cost you $5 when you exit.  There is also metered parking available on the street.  Street parking is free on the weekends. 

SPECIAL EXHIBITS: Some of the exhibits are traveling exhibits or temporarily designed educational exhibits laid out for special subjects, occasions and reasons.  For instance; the day we took our grandson there was an old classic toy exhibit that was truly wonderful.  It was unbelievable to me how many classic old toys and games could be gathered together in one place with their history and details recorded and with interactive stations.  You could look back on all of your old favorite toys and games.  You could explain to your children and grandchildren how they were used and why you loved them so much.  Just check the website or call ahead to see if any extra traveling exhibits are in town on the day you decide to go.  If so; icing on the cake!  If not; I promise you will have PLENTY of fun things to do anyway.

HANDS-0N EXHIBITS

LEVEL 1 - SCIENCE QUEST EXHIBITS:  
What a great way to learn all about science!  In this section you can experience the effects of the anti-gravity mirror.  Here you will see some pretty cool stuff pertaining to the symmetry in mirror reflections.  

You can progress to the basket ball goals next and learn the mysteries of the “swish.”  Did you know there is a science behind shooting hoops?  

Have you ever laid on a bed of nails?  You can do it here without even noticing – is that odd or what? 

 Be sure to check out the Caternary Arch exhibit.  Pretty amazing. 

When you come to the Chaotic Pendulum, I’ll give you a hint.  DO NOT DEPEND ON YOUR OWN INTUITIONS!  They simply will not work.  You will see the Combination Safes that can only be opened by certain sequences of numbers.  Can you guess which ones?  

You can also enjoy the Giant Lever, the Height Checker and the Light and Lazar Exhibit in this venue.  You can play MindBall.  You might learn a lot about how electrical signals of the brain work; especially while you are sleeping.  Did you know your brain never stops working?  It is busy even while you sleep.  

LEVEL 1 - JUST MICE SIZED 
Designed for pre-schoolers from one to five.  Can't wait to take my little granddaughter to this.  She has already been with her other grandparents; so I will let her forget it for a few months and then take her back.  It is one of those experiences that a child can enjoy over and over again! Everything here is larger than life.   Little ones can climb in the Mouse House or splash around at a water table.  There is a place for costume play or sitting to read a book.  Everything is displayed at eye-level for smaller children.  

LEVEL 1 - BUBBLE ROOM  
The Science of Suds!  You can make all kinds of bubbles, even odd shaped ones, like squares!

LEVEL 1 - RUSHTON THEATRE
This room is full of lightning and fire!  You will learn about physical science and life science. It is a huge theatre that explores such things.  You will be amazed.  There is a telsa coil and a Van De Graaff generator on display here.  

LEVEL 2 - ITTY BITTY MAGIC CITY  
An exhibit designed for kindergarten and younger aged children. This is the newest feature of McWane Center and it has been very popular.  The exhibits are adorable and very interactive on a toddler's level.  Another one I want to experience with my younger granddaughter one day.  Here your child can experience physical play, exploratory play, constructive play and imaginary play.  On main street you will get the look and feel of an imaginary town.  Toddlers can explore and play at the "Tot Spot."  There is an awesome water play area with your toddler will begin to learn the basics of H2O.  There is a climb station where toddlers can engage in their favorite activity - climbing to their heart's content.  Everything is safe, carefully thought out and imaginative.   

LEVEL 2 - EXPLORE!  MUSEUM'S COLLECTION CENTER 

On the day we were there our grandson announced that he was going to be a butterfly catcher when he grew up!   A lofty goal for any child to aspire too.  

This section is all about geology, paleontology, anthropology,and zoology.  Is your child a collector of rocks, bugs, butterflies or shells?  They will be in heaven here.  The collections are extensive and amazing and artfully displayed.  Learn about the scientific methods and develop your microscope skills here.  You can actually touch and see fossils, skeletons and rare minerals.

LEVEL 2 - ALABAMA DINOSAURS:

Were you aware of the fact that Alabama is the best place east of the Mississippi to find the remains of dinosaurs?  It is true!  Lots of them are here at McWane for you to see and touch.  Find out their names and where they lived and what they did in Alabama so many years ago.

LEVEL 2 - SCIENCE ON A SPHERE (SOS):
NOAA's exhibit of planetary data.  The use of projectors and computers here make for amazing discoveries.  It allows you to explore a giant animated globe of the earth and see the earth science that goes on all the time when we are not noticing it taking place.   You will experience a few atmospheric storms and some climate changes.  You will learn how ocean temperatures effect our environment.  You will learn a lot about Earth Science, Space Science and Environmental Science; but it will all simply just be a fun exploration.  

LEVEL 2 - SEA MONSTERS:
See what creatures swam in Alabama's waters 80 million years ago!  Come face to face with a 15 foot sea turtle and a 17 foot fish!  Peer into the jaws of the Mosasaur, the most dangerous sea monster of its time.  This exhibit is loaded with facts about life science and earth science and it is great fun to explore them up close and personal.

LEVEL 2 - NATURE SCOPE:   

At Nature Scope you can explore the great outdoors while you are actually inside a building.  Cool; huh?  Nothing seems to be impossible here at McWane Center.  They have brought the wonderful world of outdoor nature inside the center for you to enjoy.  You won't have to worry about the weather!  Go to the Audubon Cabin and find out about birds.  Find out which birds live in Alabama.  You can watch for them later when you are on a hiking trip or simply playing in your back yard.  Your child will be delighted to know which birds are which.   Watch a nature show or see a demonstration of the way nature works.   Explore Wildlife Alabama programs on a virtual tour with Alabama's own  Doug Philips.  Learn what noises different animals make and record yourself imitating their sounds!  So funny!  Go into the decompression chamber and find out how insets affect our ecosystem.  Meet every type of bug you ever wanted to see.  Some of them are pretty scary though.  Watch out for that tarantula!  

LEVEL 2 - HIGH CYCLE:    

You can take a high cycle ride across the expanse of the museum's lobby.  Fun and exciting.  In this section of the museum you can experience different stations that teach you all about the forces of gravity.

LEVEL 3 - ART SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

This is a great way to learn how science and technology can merge to create art!  Experience surrealism with the crazy weird mirror technology available.  Merge your face with a friends and see what the two of you look like combined!  Stand in front of an interactive screen covered with digital butterflies and merge them into creative art patterns.  This is such a fun part of the exhibit.

It allows your creativity to mix with your intellect.  Art and science shake hands here and introduce themselves to each other.

LOWER LEVEL - WORLD OF WATER AQUARIUM:



What do you know about the ocean?  You will learn so many fascinating facts at this part of the museum.  There is a section to teach about ocean water, a section to teach about river water, and a section that teaches about lake water.  One whole section teaches about our local habitat in the Cahaba River.  After you leave McWane Center you can take you child to the river and enforce their learning by having a conversation about the same things all over again in the actual spot where the information came about.  A coral tank features corals from the Indo-Pacific region.    You get the best of locations of water; both here and there, fresh and salt.

LOWER LEVEL-SHARK AND RAY TOUCH TANK:  

This exhibit has large tanks and aquariums that will teach you all about the ocean creatures.  These waters are full of sharks and rays (all different types.)  Some of them you can see; some of them you can touch!   Your child will be fascinated with the interaction.  All of it is very interesting.

JOHN W. WOODS IMAX DOME THEATER
The IMAX experience alone is worth the trip to McWane.  A 5 story 79 foot tilted domed screen theatre makes you feel like you are actually a part of the scenery around you.  It has 15,000 watts of digital surround sound and you won't be able to tell you are not actually under the bright blue sky hearing the call of the birds as they fly across the roaring waves of the ocean.  Each show is different and unique; but you will love them all.  If you have already been to the exhibits several times this year; why not just take an outing to the IMAX?  There is always something new and exciting to grab your attention and give you another thrilling adventure.  

THE SMART CAFE
After a fun morning at McWane; you may need a lunch break.  No problem.  The Smart Cafe offers a wide variety of food options and even displays the food options nutritional values for you so you can make all the wisest of choices.  

What are you waiting on?  The McWane Center is open and available for summer fun and memory making.  Grab a car load of kids and get over there!  Who would have ever thought spending a whole day learning science could be so much fun!

AN APPLE A DAY - KNOWING THE VALUE OF FOODS

DAY 108 OF 365 DAYS TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE 
(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)


THE VERY HIGH VALUE OF WATERCRESS

Do you know the value of the foods you are consuming?  

I mean REALLY?  For instance; I did not know the value of watercress.  For that matter, I thought watercress was just regular lettuce!  I was so wrong, and  when I started checking into the matter I realized how little I had paid attention to certain foods over the years.  Even though watercress is a form of lettuce; it is the very specific form of lettuce that comes in the specific package of small, dark green, scalloped edged leaves with slender stems; not the lettuce you can buy by the head.  

It felt so silly to learn that my thinking on so many  different forms of the foods I eat was totally wrong.  I didn't even understand the difference between regular lettuce and watercress!  What else could I be missing in my food interpretations? If you had asked me I would have said that lettuce is almost all water; so it could not have much nutritional value.  That is what I would have said before I started paying more attention to the stuff I put into my body.  I learned that each type of lettuce is different; and each type has its own story and function.    

If you sought to buy a car you would compare prices and styles and check performances right?  If you purchased a new home you would most likely think about all the quality of the materials that go into making a house a good home for you and your family.  The same theory should be true when you think about renewing your body and keeping it healthy.  You have to consider the qualities of the foods you feed yourself!   You will need to know how to treat your body.  More specifically; you should know which foods you want to be using to make your body the best body it can be.  Just like any other major hurdle you face in life; you need to do your research.  The devil's in the details!  I’m shocked and appalled at how little most people understand about nutrition today.  I DO NOT claim to be a nutritionist; but some things are pretty much common knowledge when you do start paying attention. 

Several years ago I studied computer science.  The very first thing they taught us was “garbage in equals garbage out.”  That phrase would also be a good one to remember when you are making healthy food choices.  The problem is; you need to understand what garbage is and what good food is before you can learn how to only be putting the good stuff into your daily diet.

The scriptures make this very plain.  Isaiah 55:2 says "Eat ye that which is good."  I Corinthians 10:31 says; Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Well; we all have good intentions; but just how do we KNOW the foods which are good?

Keeping this question in mind, I thought a good place to start would be to stroll through a few food choices; including vegetables, fruits, meats and spices, in order to get real familiar with each one available and in order to decide how nutritious they are so that we have a better idea of  what we want to put into our bodies and what we want to avoid. 

We have looked very close at the diet of some monks living in Greece, some common people living in Greece, some people living in Japan, and some other people groups.  As I continued to do this I was struck by the thought that men always disappoint; but God never does.  That made me think about the types of foods that Jesus would have been eating when He was walking around in a physical body.  The bible refers to several of the food types that Jesus was most likely to consume.  They include, pomegranates, fish, honey, olive oil and olives, grapes, vinegar, figs, lamb and bread.  The only thing I am doing different than this list is the fact that I am not eating most breads, and Jesus most likely ate more unleavened bread or flat breads too; so we are even doing that right.  Keep all of these foods at the top of your list and you can't go wrong. 

What else can we know?

I decided to do a little research on which fruits and vegetables and spices are considered the healthiest.  Let’s start with those and work our way through the fruit and vegetable and spices alphabet a little at a time. Well, actually we want to remember this stuff; so let's only take one at a time, off and on, until we know about them all.  Slow and steady progress is good progress.  

Why not start out with a vegetable?

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has analyzed vegetables and ranked them for nutritional value on a scale from from one to 47.  Each vegetable was checked and analyzed for the amounts of fiber they contained, the protein they contained, and the amount of potassium and vitamins they contained. 

So which vegetable is considered to be the healthiest vegetable you can eat in terms of good nutrition?  

I wasn’t surprised to find that green, leafy vegetables topped the list.  The number one choice though would never have crossed my mind.  It is WATERCRESS.  Watercress has a nutrient density score of 100; which makes it the most nutritious vegetable you can eat.  

Most people eat watercress either in salads or sandwiches.  Keep in mind that leavened bread and flour are not on the diet I’m recommending for good health; but you can eat flat breads. So remember to be putting some watercress on those flat bread sandwiches!

The watercress plant is deep green and  has small, round, scalloped leaves .  It grows in water and because of that  it should always be washed thoroughly, then soaked for half an hour or so in cool water with hydrogen peroxide added (one tablespoon per quart) to remove any pollutants, parasites or other impurities.  After cleaning you can submerge it in water and store in the refrigerator for up to three days before eating.  When you are ready to use it wash it again and separate the leaves from the fibers and roots. 
    

Using this green leafy vegetable in your diet will bring you great benefits.  It is considered an herb actually, and scientists have identified more than 15 vitamins and minerals in watercress.  I was very surprised to learn that watercress contains more iron than spinach, and more calcium than milk, and more vitamin C than oranges.  

Watercress is also very low in calories and contains lots of antioxidants which provide many disease preventative properties.  Watercress is known to inhibit carcinogens. 

Vitamin K is the most prominent nutrient of watercress.  That means this vegetable is good for your bones and that it helps to fight diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer’s disease.  

All of the vitamin C found in this healthy vegetable helps you to fight infections.    It wards off colds and flu and helps your connective tissues to function properly.  It is a great aid in preventing iron deficiencies.  

The vitamin A contained in watercress is good for the retina of your eyes.  Vitamin A also helps to keep your immunity up

The flavanoids produced  from the antioxidants of watercress fight against lung and mouth cancers. 

Sometimes the DNA can become damaged in your blood cells.  Eating watercress daily has the ability to significantly reduce this damage.  When 60 men and women ate one and ½ cups of watercress daily for eight weeks they saw a reduction in triglyceride levels by an average of 10%.  Their lutein and beta-carotene  levels were greatly increased, and they all had lower incidents of eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.  

Scientists are also finding that certain elements in watercress are helpful in reducing breast cancer. 

Below is one of my favorite uses for watercress.  This is probably one of the healthiest, yet tastiest recipes on earth!

WATERCRESS AND AVOCADO SALAD

(This makes six servings)

Ingredients:

¼ cup rice vinegar (unflavored)

1 Tablespoon grated Vidalia onion

¼ cup grated Gala Apple

4 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon honey (locally grown, please)

3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin pure, please)

6 cups watercress (washed and chilled with the stems removed)

1 firm ripe avocado

Directions:

Trim watercress ahead and chill in a sealed bag lined with a damp paper towel.  Stir the vinegar, onion, apple, soy sauce and honey together, then add the oil and stir well again.  Toss the watercress with enough dressing to coat the leaves.  Quarter, pit and peel the avocado.  Cut crosswise into ¼ inch slices.  Gently toss all together.  

It is a good idea to try to incorporate some type of use of watercress into your daily intake.  Use it instead of regular lettuce on sandwiches and salads whenever you can.  It is delicious and well worth the little bit of extra effort to include it into your menus.  It should not be too hard to find anywhere that you shop for organic foods; but if you are looking for a regular grocery store; I've found it in bags at Publix.  

This discovery about watercress has really increased my awareness!  I hope like me, you will be eating more watercress!  Just keep saying over and over to yourself - "garbage in equals garbage out."  Soon you will find yourself consuming more and more watercress and less and less garbage.  

Galations 6:7 says; "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  It seems to be pretty plain that those who break God's rules for caring for their bodies will reap bad health.  That isn't to say that all bad health is a result of human carelessness, of course it isn't!  Some things happen that are far beyond our control, and it is not the fault of anyone.  The above verse is speaking to people who deliberately abuse their bodies; those of us who are not paying attention to our temples.    Just as one who abuses his automobile will reap car trouble eventually, those who continue to break God's laws of health will ultimately experience unwanted serious health problems.  Why not just pay more attention and eat more watercress?  What could it hurt?  These natural established laws that God gave us to allow good nutrition and health are not arbitrary.

So now we have good instruction and knowledge.  Now we know the number one vegetable not to be leaving out of our diet.  It is a great start; and tomorrow is a whole new day.  May your journey to better health habits be a happy one full of the joy that comes from putting good things into your life and leaving the garbage outisde where it belongs.