Contact: LuAnne Pendergraft, 252-335-3844, lspendergraft@mail.ecsu.eduElizabeth City, NC — Port Discover, in partnership with Elizabeth City State University, will offer a Weekend Science Lab Experience on Saturday, April 4 at 9 a.m. at Elizabeth City State University. The program will offer 4th and 5th graders (9 to 12-year-olds) the opportunity to work with a scientist in the labs at ECSU and conduct a hands-on scientific experiment. The program is open to the public. Reservations are required.
Dr. Margaret Young, assistant professor of biology at ECSU, will lead the children through a potato nodal culture experiment. Each student will work in the ECSU Plant Biotech Lab and will make a culture of a potato under sterile conditions and, using appropriate scientific techniques, create the environment necessary for plant growth. The plantings will be kept in a growing environment at Port Discover where the students will observe them during the next six weeks to observe how microtubers (small potato tubers) form in the culture. The results of the Potato Nodal Culture Experiment will be presented in conjunction with the North Carolina Potato Festival, May 16. The students will be able to take their plants home after May 16.
Cost for the Weekend Science Lab Experience is $10.00 and includes all materials. Reservations are required. To make a reservation or for more information, contact Port Discover at (252) 338-6117.
Port Discover is located at 613 East Main Street, Elizabeth City. Port Discover’s hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Programs can be arranged at other times for special groups. For more information call 252-338-6117 or www.portdiscover.org.
Port Discover is a community-based, non-profit organization, established to enhance the public’s understanding and enjoyment of science through engaging programs, activities, and exhibits. Elizabeth City State University along with the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce initiated the project that has attracted broad community support, including Elizabeth City Morning Rotary, College of the Albemarle, Albemarle Hospital, Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools. Port Discover is also a member of the NC Grassroots Science Museum Collaborative.
