CALENDAR OF EVENTS @ 3RF SCIENCES

September:

Sept 19th - 3RF Public Star Party, come celebrate the equinox admisson is free and gates open

at 7:30pm

Sept 19th - I will be at Project Wild training @ Lake Texhoma!!

Sept 26th - WTAMU Math & Science Conference - I will be teaching project wet 4 times during this conference; great place for Texas panhandle teachers continuing ed. and networking!

October:

October 4-10 It's Space Week!! Get out and explore the night sky, hug an astronaut!!

Oct 10th - Plano Solar Event @ Maribelle Davis Library! Open to the public a great day in and about the Sun!!

Oct 10th - Frisco Star Party hosted by Phil Jones! Open to the public come out and enjoy a night in Frisco!!

Oct 12- 17 - Eldorado Star Party!! A week of exploring the universe in Eldorado Texas!

Oct 17th - Canadian Fall Folliage Festival - 3RF Sciences will be participating in this great event again this year! If you have never been GO!! Canadian Texas during the folliage festival is a nature lovers dream, and lots for the kids to do! A great day for the whole family!! Hope to see you there!

Oct 24th - CSAC hosts our Public Star Party!! gates open at 7:30pm!!

November:

Nov 4-8th - CAST in Galveston

Nov 14th - CSAC hosts Public Star Party!!

Nov 15-18th - Leonids Meteror Shower - get outside with a blanket and look up! The show is amazing!

December:

Dec 5th - 3RF Arts hosts the Cowboy Ball in Quanah Tx in the beautiful ballroom! for more information visit http://www.3rf.org/

Dec 12th - THE LAST Star Party (for 2008)

Dec 22nd - Lunar Eclipse

ORNATE BOX TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT

-Myrtle Turtle smiling for the camera

There is love in the air and a need for expansion! The ornate box turtle project that began last year as a simple idea of using the turtles to teach students the importance of a single animal on the overall prairie eco-system has become much more. People love turtles!
Our ornate box turtle population has grown to 3 males, and 5 females, and the need to build an addition is upon us! Construction has begun; the

turtle habitat will grow to include a nursery, and two separate areas for each male to be with his females. We are excited about the possibility of baby turtles this fall, and will keep you posted!


Elmo, a juvenile male, taking a swim in his new pool!!

The Ornate Box Turtle Conservation project has become a very popular project, and there will be more to come in the future about these very personable turtles!

WHAT IS PROJECT PRAIRIE WILD

This past year has been a great time of expansion and change at CSAC, one big project that has started on campus is the Prairie Wild Project. A goal of 3RF Sciences has always been to venture into other sciences, make a positive impact on our community and to create an experience that encourages learners of all ages to further themselves through science. The Prairie Wild project is introducing biology, environmental sciences, ecology and conservation to our educational outreach programs. The next time you are on campus you will notice that we have residents - turtles, and prairie dogs.
The Ornate Box turtle is on the Texas Endangered Species list simply because of agricultural practices on their native habitat, so we have built a habitat that allows the turtles to continue on as they would in the wild with the hopes of breeding, collecting data and releasing the offspring in the ranch prairie lands where they are safe from tractors and plows. These turtles will be used in several levels of our educational outreach programs, K-12, to teach the scientific method of data collection, ecology, biology and conservation of our Texas Prairies.
In October, prairie dogs moved in on the south side of campus. The prairie dog town is an exceptional way for students to see an eco-system at work, and as our colony grows we plan to use cameras to create an opportunity for study of their behavior, and install an underground observatory for students to see the hidden town at work. Over 144 species live in a prairie dog town, 12 of those are considered endangered, and through our colony we will be able to further the understanding of ecology and conservation in our area.
Lastly, a very large greenhouse has been donated to 3RF Sciences to be used for landscaping plants for campus, vegetation for wildlife, and botany curriculum, so the opportunities for students and life learners continues to grow! The next time you are coming out to campus come early to enjoy the view and visit the residents.

INTRODUCTION TO 3RF SCIENCES

3RF Sciences is a private non-profit educational foundation dedicated to engaging students in math and science through hands-on learning. 3RF provides teachers, students and the general public educational opportunities through our outreach programs, public star parties, school partnerships, and outdoor education center. Through the generosity of the the Gene Conley Foundation 3RF Sciences offers most of our programs at no cost or at a reduced cost.
StarSTruck - we travel to Texas schools bringing hands on curriculum that is TEKS mapped, and designed for students to experience the sciences through actually performing scientific activities. Our curriculum includes Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Biology and Environmental Sciences. We have a large volunteer base that allows us access to experts in just about every field of science, math and technology. Through our StarSTruck program teachers have the opportunity to bring their classroom and curriculum to life, to engage their students.
Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus is our 700 acre outdoor education center. CSAC is home to endless educational opportunities from Astronomy to conservation all the while allowing students to fall in love with their natural surroundings. Each month CSAC hosts two public star parties, that allow students and the general public the opportunity to work with astronomers and impressive telescopes for a personal viewing and exploration of the night sky. CSAC is also home of Project Prairie Wild, a project dedicated to the preservation of native short grass prairie lands and the ecosystems supported by these prairies. Project Prairie Wild provides educational opportunities in ecology, environmental sciences, water conservation and education, biology, earth science and geology. Students can participate in conservation projects, leadership programs and make a difference in their communities.