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FORT WAYNE Zephyr attends Magic Science Camp at Science Central in Fort Wayne, Ind., where we also watch the Olympic Torch pass on its way to Salt Lake City and the 2002 Olympic Games.

Magic Science Camp Science Central

by Zephyr Goza
December 2001

Science Central Winter Break Camp (Fort Wayne, IN) was great -- if you take out the time used standing in line. It lasted 3 days. During those days, we had great fun working with science illusions and facts. And during recess, they even let us run free in the museum! And there's another added bonus if you like pizza: 2 free pizza slices every day for lunch! And at the end of the day, we had journal compositions.

Read for yourself:

Wednesday, December 26th, 2001

  • We made magic wands and hats (better used as megaphones). The wands were long straws with pipe cleaner attached . . . we also used ribbons and paper stars.
  • We made "milk magic" by putting food coloring in milk. It stuck to the center. We added dish soap and it went to the sides of the bowl.
  • We went through "the sewer", a dark tunnel in which you must use your senses other than sight (no, it's not really a sewer) . . . somebody hung around and tried to scare us, but he just added to the fun

Thursday, December 27th, 2001

  • We learned how to do fun card tricks.
  • We learned how to make slime. For certain reasons (such as the stuff doesn't come out of carpets) the recipe wasn't revealed to us.
  • We learned cool stuff about the rain forest.

My favorite thing about today was entering a slanted room with a camera to make it look like the floor was straight and we were whacked. And going through the sewer again.

Friday, December 28th, 2001

  • We learned about balancing. This was sort of fun because Dad and I balance junk before a show! And we made different magic wands - these were cardboard tubes with hidden marbles in the end - put one end on a table with about ¾ sticking out and it remains balanced! We went to a demo on static electricity. I got shocked pretty badly! It was cool!
  • We used air pressure (a hair dryer) to make Styrofoam balls float.

If only this were at every museum!

link to Science Crentral's website Explore Science Central online

Olympic Torch Fort Wayne, IN

Torch bearer beaming with pride by Kimberly Goza
January 3, 2002

The Olympic Torch is making its way across America. We did a search online and found a map of the route it is taking to Utah. We had to wonder if the map we saw wasn't a copy of our tour itinerary. To say that it is taking a circuitous route across the U.S. is putting it mildly.

On January 3rd, the Olympic Torch made its way to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Which is where we joined our fellow Americans to cheer it on. It was a cold, toe-numbing night. Yet the street was lined with flag-waving spectators and luminaries. The parade of officials could be spotted a mile down the road. A father hoisted his young son up onto his shoulders and said "You're looking for a big stick with fire on it". "Fireworks!" exclaimed the child. "No, not fireworks." Just a chance to catch a glimpse of a symbol that unifies humankind. But how do you explain that to a toddler? Or even an 11-year-old.

Here comes the torch!

Several police cars made their way past us, showing off their flashing lights and sirens. Then pace cars with the Olympic Torch and blatant advertising painted on their sides. A tour bus bearing what appeared to be torchbearers, an RV converted into a traveling cable TV studio. And there behind it, almost lost in the midst of it all was a lady in white bearing the torch. A pillar of her community, nominated for this honor by her peers, for her volunteer spirit. As she beamed and waved at the crowd, we all cheered. Though the kids still weren't quite sure why.

What's the big deal? Well we turned to the Internet for more answers. And here is what we discovered:

  • During the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, a sacred flame burned at the altar of Zeus, in whose honor the Games were held. Its lighting signaled the opening of the Games and its extinguishing signaled the end.
  • The tradition was reinstated in 1928
  • The first Olympic Torch Relay took place in 1936.
  • The Olympic Torch begins its journey in Olympia Greece, home of the original Olympic Games.
  • The torch is lit by Women dressed in robes similar to those worn by the ancient Greeks. They use a curved mirror to light the torch naturally with the sun's rays. Unless weather doesn't cooperate - then a back up plan is used.
  • Men participated in the ceremony for the first time in 2000.
  • The torch will travel an average of 208 miles every 12 hours
  • The flame arrives in Salt Lake City for Opening Ceremonies on February