Sunday Scientist program May 16 to explore how climate affects Nebraska

The University of Nebraska State Museum will present a program for children and families on how climate affects Nebraska as part of its Sunday with a Scientist series, 1:30-4:30 p.m. May 16 at Morrill Hall. Presenters from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources will educate visitors on how scientists work to determine and assess the impacts of climate on society and the environment.

"The Complexities of Drought: A Global and Local Look" will be led by outreach and research specialists and graduate students from three units within the school, including the Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies (CALMIT), the National Drought Mitigation Center and the geography graduate program.

CALMIT and geography presenters will offer demonstrations and hands-on activities such as a stream table that displays the effects of changing climate on river water levels, digital photography that monitors drought's effects on plants, and an interactive exhibit on how satellites allow us see the world in different ways by capturing things the naked eye cannot see. CALMIT is internationally recognized as a center of excellence in education and research on using remote sensing -- data and images gathered by instruments on satellites or planes -- and geographic information systems to analyze information and make computer-generated maps. CALMIT will also be giving away posters that show a satellite view of Nebraska.

The National Drought Mitigation Center will explore drought in the past, present and future. Drought is a complex natural hazard. Unlike other natural disasters, drought has no easily discernible beginning or end, and its impacts are often difficult to determine. Visitors will learn about paleoclimatology, which finds evidence of past climate variation recorded by natural processes, such as the way tree rings form. Decorating "tree cookies" will help younger visitors remember the stories that tree rings have to tell. Visitors will also learn how scientists create drought monitoring maps and will see examples of the tools the center uses to help forecast drought and vegetation health.

Sunday with a Scientist is a series of presentations that highlight the work of museum scientists and those from other institutions, while educating children and families on a variety of topics related to science and natural history. Presenters will share scientific information in a fun and informal way through talks, demonstrations and activities, or by conducting their science on site. Sunday with a Scientist programs are 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Morrill Hall on the third Sunday of each month through December.

Upcoming Sunday with a Scientist Topics: June 20 -- ponds and toxic algae; July 18 -- poop!; Aug. 15 -- beetle mania; Sept. 19 -- archeology; Oct. 17 -- ancient people; Nov. 21 -- Native Americans; Dec. 19 -- Nebraska amphibians.

For updates on the Sunday with a Scientist schedule through the year, visit www.museum.unl.edu.

The University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History in Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine Streets on the UNL City Campus (map at http://www1.unl.edu/tour/MORR) is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years, 4 and under are free), and $10 for families (up to two adults and children). UNL staff, faculty and students are admitted free with valid NU ID. There is an additional charge for planetarium shows. Parking is free. For further information, telephone the museum at (402) 472-3779, visit its website, or contact Kathy French, education coordinator, at (402) 472-6647 or by e-mail.

WRITER: Dana Ludvik, Public Relations Coordinator, NU State Museum, (402) 472-3779