Photo: Paul Lei The Science of Winter - CuriOdyssey

Winter 2012

Photo by graham Paterson

happy Winter!

Winter is a season synonymous with cold air, rain, ice, and snow. explore the reason behind why the weather gets cold and dark this time of the year and track the sun's movement yourself!

photo: Paul Lei

The Science of Winter

What makes the Winter season so cold? Cold temperatures and shorter days with less light all mark the winter season. So what's the reason behind this often-chilly and dark weather?

the start of Winter solstice On December 21, 2012, winter solstice will officially begin. You may associate the winter season beginning in November or December, but the season traditionally begins on the day of the winter solstice.

The winter solstice occurs when the sun reaches its most southerly declination of -23.5 degrees. On this day, all locations above a latitude of 66.5 degrees north (Arctic Polar Circle) are now in darkness, while locations below a latitude of 66.5 degrees south (Antarctic Polar Circle) have 24 hours of daylight.

This occurance gives us the shortest day of the year. The days will start getting longer after the winter solstice. Where we live in the mid-latitudes, daylight ranges from approximately 15 hours around the summer solstice (when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun) to around nine hours close to the winter solstice. With less sunlight hitting us, temperatures fall. Surprisingly, the Earth is actually closer to the sun during winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It's really the tilt of the earth that affects the light and temperatures.

Hemisphere oceans continue to cool in the lack of sunlight. These ocean temperatures drive much of the cold weather on the continents.

Our journey around the sun has been the basis for calendars for many years. In the past, people even built solar observatories of stone to mark the solstices and key times for planting or harvesting crops. observing the solstice This year, try watching the solstice yourself. If you stand in one spot at the same time every day, you'll notice the sunset's northward movement along the horizon.

Image: NOAA Weather:

To really see the sun's movement, just place a bit of tape on a window where you see the sun shining. Then write the date and time on that piece of tape to help you mark the sun's passage. As you check the window each day you can track how the sun changes over the course of the season.

After the solstice, the coldest days of the year follow. Though the days will get longer during January, Northern

Sources: Happy December Solstice, Everyone. Earth and Sky Radio Series, http:// tonight/southernmost-sun-brings-december-21-solstice

touch science. meet animals.

WElcoming our nEWEst AnimAls

Down By The Bay

our newest animal ambassador, a skunk named oliver, came to curiodyssey in august 2012. he was dropped off in a duffle bag at Wildlife rehabilitation and release in grass valley, ca. based on his positive behavior when around humans, staff at the rehabilitation center believed he had been living wtih people and had imprinted on them. he was deemed not releasable into the wild. Did you know? skunks are best known for their odorous defense. this ability to expel a fine spray of foul-smelling liquid develops when they are less than one month old. our skunk, oliver, has been de-scented for safety reasons and no longer has the ability to spray.

our newest addition to the aviary is a greater roadrunner named dean. he was captive-born at the los angeles Zoo and was transferred to curiodyssey in october 2012. dean joins our other roadrunner, sage, in the walk-through aviary.

Did you know? roadrunners will patrol their range in search of food, running after their prey. they have been observed jumping into the air in order to catch insects and small birds. they are also capable of eating venomous animals, such as rattlesnakes, spiders, and scorpions.

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neW art installation at curiodyssey This winter, CuriOdyssey is featuring a new artist on its gallery walls. Down By The Bay is a series of photographs taken at or within a few hundred yards of the San Francisco Bay. This small band of space at the water's edge is removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet it is filled with fascinating life and activity.

"As an artist, quiet observer and lifelong resident of the Bay Area, I aim to provide Bay Area residents and visitors with a unique perspective of this fascinating location. Colors, textures, and form are all emphasized. The series relies on subtle details, such as colors and weather patterns, rather than major landmarks to create a sense of place. It is the hope that this will enable the viewer to notice subtleties that may ordinarily be overlooked."

? Stephanie Penn, Down By The Bay Photographer

The images on display at CuriOdyssey are a curated selection from a larger ongoing series by photographer Stephanie Penn. The images on display were chosen to highlight the juxtaposition of nature and of man-made objects. Down By The Bay will be on exhibit until spring 2012.

Member Appreciation Month

february 2012

photo: Justin Miel

Mark your calendar for Member Appreciation Month! We'll kick off the monthlong celebration with Winterfest - our members-only event - on January 27, 2013. All February long there will be giveaways, exclusive members-only hours, days to bring a friend for free, and more. Watch your mail and email for more information. Not a CuriOdyssey member? Join online or email Membership@.

curiodyssEy gAlA An EvEning of

old hollyWood glAmour

curiodyssEy gAlA 2012 committEE

co-chairs

Patricia dassios &

danielle simon

committee

katy royle amara lydia bergman liat bishko christina carey sarah doll simona irwin donna krause cathy krikorian dana mccabe lisa mendell stacey miller kim oliff nicole salama lauren sims abby smerklo

Jennifer van natta Patrice Wilbur

CuriOdyssey's Signature Fundraising Gala a Success!

sold-out event netted more than $170,000 On Friday, September 28, 2012, CuriOdyssey held its third annual signature fundraising event, the CuriOdyssey Gala. The sold-out event themed "An Evening of Old Hollywood Glamour," was hosted by Kathryn Crosby at her historic Crosby Estate in Hillsborough, CA and was attended by more than 350 guests. The event successfully netted more than $170,000 that will go directly to CuriOdyssey's programs.

The CuriOdyssey Gala was organized by a volunteer committee and chaired by trustees Patricia Dassios and Danielle Simon. The evening began with a VIP Patron Party during which Kathryn Crosby gave a special performance in the parlor of her home. It was followed by a cocktail reception, silent auction, and raffle on the lawn of the estate. Guests enjoyed a sit-down, catered meal by McCalls Catering & Events and an exciting live auction emceed by auctioneer Frank Bizzarro.

The live auction included a Napa Valley escape, a Justin Bieber ultimate fan experience package, and a hosted dinner party with Mrs. Crosby, to name a few.

Photo: sanders fabares gala reception at the crosby estate

We hope you will join us next fall for another spectacular event to benefit children through CuriOdyssey's wildlife programs, pioneering exhibits, and award-winning education programs.

Thank you to our committee who made it all happen in spectacular style.

Photo: tom Jung gala committee co-chairs, Patricia dassios and danielle simon

Photo: Paul lei bronze Patron sponsor, charles and Wendy forrester

Photo: young Wong host, kathryn crosby

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Experiment with Science at Home!

dAncing rAisins

discover how to make raisins move in ways you wouldn't expect!

activity: Wind-PoWered vehicles

5. Ask your child what might slow a vehicle down. See if they can devise strategies to combat those forces.

6. Once your child is finished designing his or her vehicle, set up the fan in a clear area of the room and use it to power their vehicle.

What's happening here? The air around us is made up of a lot of particles we can't see. Air is a mixture of molecules of different gasses (primarily nitrogen and oxygen). When you blow air toward your vehicle, you are moving those molecules. When a molecule hits your sail, the molecule slows down, and imparts some of its kinetic energy to your vehicle, causing your vehicle to move in the direction of the wind.

It's a Camp CuriOdyssey favorite! This activity is propelled by a large fan or by kids themselves. Learn about gasses, friction, sails, forces and energy. Create a vehicle that can be powered by wind and gain an understanding of vehicles, why we use wheels, and attempt to build a vehicle that goes straight, far, and fast.

Because gasses and liquids are both "fluids" (things that flow), it may help to think of the air hitting your sail as water. Try to imagine that you put your sail into a stream. What would the water do? The water, in this imaginary case, will do the same thing the wind will do in real life.

You'll need: ? Card stock paper ? Straws ? Paper clips ? Lifesavers candy ? Tape ? Scissors ? Fan ? Extension cord (if necessary)

What to do: 1. Provide your child with a half-sheet

of card stock paper, two straws, three paper clips, and four lifesavers, and an arm-length of tape. 2. Discuss with them vehicles that are powered by the wind and ask them how they think those vehicles move. 3. Work with your child to brainstorm how to design a vehicle that is powered by the wind with the items in front of him or her. 4. Ask your child to consider what might make a vehicle move faster, and see if they can include those design features.

Questions to consider: 1. What happens when the sail is too large

or too small? 2. Where along the vehicle should the sail

be placed? What happens if you put it somewhere else? 3. Do you need a sail? Why or why not? 4. What factors effect your vehicle's performance?

Justin miel

you'll need: ? one clear cup ? club soda, seltzer water, or clear soda ? a few raisins

What to do:

1. Pour the bubbly soda into the cup.

2. add a raisin to the cup.

3. Watch the raisin. does it sink or float? be patient!

What's happening here?

raisins are denser than the liquid in soda, so at first they sink to the bottom of the cup. however, the carbonated soft drink releases carbon dioxide bubbles. as the bubbles in the soda rise, they stick to the raisin and lift it to the top of the cup. When the raisin reaches the surface, the bubbles pop and the raisin falls back down. as the raisin falls, more bubbles stick to it and lift it up again.

this rising and sinking of the raisins will continue until most of the carbon dioxide has excaped and the soda goes flat, or when the raisin gets soggy and becomes too heavy to rise to the surface.

Question to consider: Are there other objects that can "dance" in carbonated water? Experiment by putting other small objects in the cup to find out!

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Donors

The Board of Trustees and staff of CuriOdyssey wish to express our sincere appreciation to the following individuals and organizations for their generous support between July 1, 2012 and September 30, 2012.

Every effort has been made to be accurate. If your name is not present or you are not recognized properly, please contact Sarah

Clautero Soto, Development Manager, at 650.340.7571.

$50,000+ TomKat Charitable Trust

$25,000 - $49,999 Mrs. Rolf H. Brookes Lanier Triff Brookes Family Moore Family Foundation

$10,000 - $24,999 Lana and Kenn Guernsey The Gundesen Family Trust Jennifer and Owen Van Natta

$5,000 - $9,999 Judith W. Barton Steven and Lydia Bergman Fraklin Templeton Investments Shearman & Sterling LLP Trevor and Teri Watt

$2,500 - $4,999 Anne Riley and Associates Andy and Andrea Ballard Marilyn Bancel and Rik Myslewski Barton Properties Matt and Tati Dorow-Mochary Fitzpatrick Family Charles and Wendy Forrester Alexander and Kaarin Hardy Chad and Jessica Herrin

Blake and Cathy Krikorian Matthew and Anne Lynde Stephen and Kimarie Matthews Jim and Kellie Meyers Pacific Gas and Electric Company Don Ramsey and Holly Stowell Amy and James Ramsey Sam and Sara Shank Silicon Valley Community Foundation Nancy Spencer and W. Hardy Callcott Wells Fargo Foundation Joseph and Megan Winters

$1,000 - $2,499 Rajeev and Katy Amara Lysbeth Anderson Chris and Ann Aristides Fred and Betty Barnes Boston Private Bank & Trust Company Michael and Jennifer Buckley Bruce and Agapi Burkard Jeremy and Ruth Burton The Collins Family: Maribeth Collins,

Terry Collins, Truman Collins, and Cherida Collins Smith Mrs. Kathryn Crosby Vijay and Victoria Culas Shawn Cunningham and Stacy Cherin Gordon and Kristin Dean Dodge & Cox

D.R. Doll Jr. and Sarah Doll Miguel and Angela Espinosa Brian and Sarah Evars Scott and Simona Irwin Christopher and Carol Kalb J.J. and Molly Kardwell Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Keane Mrs. Mary Alice Kelly Linda and Sterling Lanier David and Carmina Littlefield David and Lisa Mendell Mrs. Mary M. Morrison Gordon and Diane Myers Andrew and Kim Oliff Gayle and Jim Pettee Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Raiser Elizabeth and Bill Seybold Peg and Marshall Shambarger Gary Sprague and Michele Freed Patricia Stirling Julie and Bruce Tenenbaum Terri Tienken John and Amy Underwood Jeremy and Julie Veit Jeff and Katharine Wilson

CuriOdyssey Gala Sponsors

Thank you to our Corporate and Patron sponsors for our third annual 2012 Gala.

Platinum ServiceSource International, Inc.

Gold Centio Communications and Lana Guernsey Peggy Bort Jones Knight Visions Production & Design Michael S. Hensley Party Rental & Sales Co. Shearman & Sterling LLP Tessara Financial Advisors, Inc. Tiny Prints, Inc. Tribal Brands Tribal Technologies Jennifer and Owen Van Natta

Silver Herbert A. Allen, III Anne Riley and Associates Andy and Andrea Ballard Christopher and Liat Bishko Patricia and Angelos Dassios Matt and Tati Dorow-Mochary Drew and Athena Flinders Alexander and Kaarin Hardy Kerns Fine Jewelry Blake and Cathy Krikorian Matthew and Anne Lynde Danielle and Gil Simon Lauren and Prairie Sims

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wilbur Joseph and Megan Winters

Bronze Judith W. Barton Barton Properties Boston Private Bank & Trust Company Mr. and Mrs. Jack Corey Gordon and Kristin Dean D.R. Doll Jr. and Sarah Doll Charles and Wendy Forrester Marilyn Hohbach Scott and Simona Irwin Christopher and Carol Kalb The Murphy Family Gordon and Diane Myers Peg and Marshall Shambarger Terra Ferma Landscapes

Copper Fred and Betty Barnes Steven and Lydia Bergman SMtuoaorrteE. Builder, Ph.D. and Rev. Polly Christina Carey and Albert Caruana Vijay and Victoria Culas DEviarersct Communication Group Inc., Brian

Ed Stephens and Coldwell Banker Ric and Amy Fenton Fitzpatrick Family Dan and Juanita Forster Golub Group, LLC Cheryl Hightower Jim Karam and Melissa Bartolo Allison and Jamie Keenan Larry Krause Ted Kruttschnitt Linda and Sterling Lanier Katherine Lee Sharon and Alan Levins Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders Stephen and Kimarie Matthews David and Lisa Mendell Marian R. Munroe Gilbert and Margaret Papazian Agatha and J. Anthony Precourt Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Salama Constance Sevier Mona and Nihir Shah Jenifer and John Smyth Ed and Barbara Snedeker Susan Herman, Clay Herman Realtor Polly and Ted Taylor

Tribute Gifts

Thank you to the following donors for tribute gifts between July 1, 2012 and September 30, 2012.

In honor of: Patricia Dassios: Steven and Lydia Bergman Charles Forrester: Gordon and Diane Myers Brandon Princeau: Marvalee Canha-Herst Polly Taylor: Walter and Jane Day

In memory of: Ray N. Atkinson: Mr. and Mrs. Roger Krakow Margaret Henderson: Judith W. Barton Making right petty theft of childhood days and in honor of Being On The Right Path: Anonymous

CuriOdyssey Board of Trustees

Chair lana guernsey

Vice Chairs andrea higuera-ballard

cathy krikorian danielle simon

Treasurer Joseph Winters

Secretary kimarie matthews

Judith Webster barton chris bishko

Patricia dassios *linda fitzpatrick *charles forrester

kaarin hardy cheryl hightower Peggy bort Jones

linda lanier brian koch **anne lynde keith mcWilliams christine egy rose constance m. sevier lauren sims nancy spencer Jennifer van natta Patrice Wilbur *Executive Committee **Corresponding Secretary

Volunteer Representative eileen arbues

Emeritus Trustees thomas r. brown

robert e. henderson kathryn taylor

Polly hoover taylor

Advisory Council dr. Paul doherty edith eddy

marilyn loushin-miller dr. vera michalchik

beth springer Peter steinhart

Executive Director rachel meyer

spark! is a publication of curiodyssey.

1651 coyote Point dr. san mateo, ca 94401

tel: 650-342-7755 5

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