Congratulations to Soraya (2) and Arjun (5)!!!

Click here to see the runners up and all the photos submitted.

Come visit our table at Dolores Park this Saturday, May 3 for San Francisco's Cinco de Mayo Celebration.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dolores Park, SF

Participate with the community in some of the following activities:

• Historical Docent Walk early at 10 a.m.
• Dancing by Aztec dancers, Ballet Folklorico and local student peformances throughout the day.
• Various activities for kids
• Mexican food booths

Do you know what is being celebrated by the Mexican people on Cinco de Mayo? Leave a comment and post the answer!

This depends upon what level of membership you have at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.  Starting at the Museum Passport level one of the benefits is participation in the ACM (Association of Children's Museums) Reciprocal Program.

A children's museum membership that includes ACM Reciprocal privileges extend only to children's museums within the ACM Reciprocal Network and not all children's museums. The number of members allowed complimentary entry at a museum you visit may be different than your home museum's membership policy.

Due to their close proximity, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, Habitot, and the Bay Area Discovery Museum have come to an agreement to offer discounted admission to ACM level members at each other’s institutions.  The Bay Area Discovery Museum also mails out 2 one time use passes (valid for up to six people) so that our ACM Reciprocal members can visit Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose or Habitot prior to receiving their discount on admission.

- I am a member of a Science Museum, is that valid at the Bay Area Discovery Museum?

The Bay Area Discovery Museum does NOT participate in the ASTC (Association of Science - Technology Centers) Passport Program. Some of the bay area ASTC organizations that DO participate include: The Bay Model, Chabot Space & Science Center, California Academy of Sciences, Coyote Point Museum for Environmental Education, The Exploratorium, Lawrence Hall of Science, and Zeum.

- I am a member of the Zoo, is it good here?

Unfortunately not, in order to receive accreditation, Zoos belong to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which offers discounted admission to their reciprocal...

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Despite a range of weather conditions typical of Sausalito, from blustery to burning and back, The Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Spring Break Camp went off without a hitch.  Even creative protestors scaling the Golden Gate Bridge couldn’t keep the kids away! There is endless digging for pennies in Lookout Cove, and fishing for crabs in Bay Hall; yet children are simultaneously making new friends, testing their limits in a safe environment, and most importantly getting a chance to pursue their passions. Check out some pictures here.

I was recently talking to my mom about her experience going to Girl Scout camp in the early 1960’s.  It was life changing for her because while she LOVED camping, her family was not big on nature.  Girl Scout Camp gave her a chance to discover what has become a life long passion that she never would have found through her school or home life.  So if you’ve got a building block fanatic, future Picasso, or budding entomologist living under your roof look no further!

Camps are directly tied to the museum’s mission to “engage, delight and educate.” We give children the opportunity to discover things that will shape them for life, whether it’s the struggle of threading a needle to sew a stuffed bat, making it to the top of the Crow’s Nest for the first time, or dissecting a squid, camper’s interests are truly nurtured. This is the best kind of learning, as all the experts will tell you, our curriculum is play based, developmentally appropriate and we follow the focus of the children.

We still have limited space in many of the summer camps developed right here at The Bay Area Discovery Museum! For more information click here. Or call Heather Posner, Camp Coordinator at 415-339-3982

Try some earth friendly activites with your child this month.

- Plant a garden: teach your kids about growing flowers, plants and herbs.  Yes...even a Chia Pet will show how seeds bloom!

- Park cleanup: Organize a cleanup for your child and their friends at their favorite playground. 

- Visit the Conservatory of Flowers and learn about all the different kinds of flowers, common and rare.

-Take a walk and point out the different birds and trees on the way.  Then go home and look them up!

The Museum will host their Earth Day Festival this Saturday April, 19.  Check out the performance from ZunZun.

Well not ME specifically...but perhaps you are pregnant and have yet to tell those close to you?

A guy friend of mine told me his wife was pregnant recently. This is how he did it...

Him: "We're doing well. Everything is good considering Michelle isn't working."

Me: "What happened with her job? What's wrong?"

Him: "Oh..nothing, she's pregnant."

Me: "What?!!? Congratulations!"

Women seem to have a little more panache when it comes to announcing the news that they're pregnant. A common way being a present of baby clothes given to be opened by the unsuspecting person. Most of the time it says "I love my daddy/grandma/grandpa/sister/brother."

Recently the new fad for pregnant mothers has been maternity photos.  Beautiful portraits to document this amazing time in a mother's life. Here are a few places I found that offer this service around the Bay Area.

• Sarah Metz Photography
• Sophia Field Photography
• Small Miracles Photography

How did you announce your pregnancy to your loved ones? Let us know!

It's our Second Annual Museum Photo Contest!  Send in pictures of your kids at the Museum for a chance to win a Passport Membership!

Submit an original, non-professional photo of your children at the Museum via email to jherrera(at)badm.org.

Images should be emailed in jpg format, 72 dpi or higher or 2 MB or smaller.

Please include:

• child(ren)’s name
• pets' name
• age
• parent(s)’ name
• address
• phone
• email

Up to three (3) photos may be submitted by each entrant.

Entries must be received by April 25, 2008 at midnight.

Click here for entry rules.

A big thanks to those of you who voted for us! We're happy so many of you choose the Museum to celebrate special events in your lives.

We won Best of Marin - Kid's Party for Pacific Sun!

See full list of Pacific Sun's "Best of Marin" list here.

Does your child have a penchant for imagination? Do they "perform" for you all the time?

Movies have always been huge in my family. Musicals especially. We'd sing along and dance the steps to the movie on our television.  We'd even act out the movie when we were just hangout in the back yard.  Come to think of it...we STILL do sometimes! I can't tell you how many times my cousins and I did the Von Trap children cross weave

Take that imagination and interest in acting and play and take your child to see a theater production this spring!

• New Conservatory Theatre Center presents Rapunzel for their Family Matinee showing from March 29 - April 20.

• Young Performers Theatre in the Fort Mason Center will be presenting Winnie the Pooh in April 19 - May 18.

• Active Arts Theatre for Young Audiences brings The Emperor's New Clothes from April 12 - April 27.

• Nothing is more fun that the SF classic Beach Blanket Babylon with thier wild hats, costumes and antics on stage.  They welcome kids at their Sunday performances at 2 & 5 p.m.

Give your kids an experience beyond television and make live performances something they'll want to return to see.

Have you noticed anything new hanging in the Wave Workshop Aquarium?  What is this bizarre looking thing?  And what is inside it!? Many visitors are surprised to learn that this is actually a live Big Skate Egg. Skates - a relative of rays and sharks - are oviparous, or they lay eggs.  Here are some commonly asked questions about our new addition:

Does the viewing pane hurt the baby skates?

The viewing pane does not hurt the baby skates. Aquarium of the Bay cuts the viewing pane when the egg allows fresh water in and waste water out (generally around 3 to 5 months.)  A square is carefully cut with small scissors and a piece of plastic is quickly super glued on top.

How many skates are inside the egg?

There are two in our egg.  Big Skates can have anywhere from one to six embryos in an egg.

What is the egg made of?

The egg is made of keratinized collagen, like our hair and fingernails.  The skate egg is a bit softer when first laid and then stiffens. 

When will they hatch?

The baby skate will hatch when all of the yolk has been absorbed, generally around 9 months.  These skates will hatch in about 3 or 4 months.

How do they hatch?

As the skate grows, it becomes more active.  One side of the egg case becomes thinner and the seams open.  Eventually, the skate will squeeze through the opening.  Most grow to be around 6 feet in length, but some have been found at 8 feet!

What about its shape? 

This egg bears little resemblance to how most people picture an egg, but its unique features help protect the egg in the wild.  Did you notice the hook shaped corners?  These ...

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