will.illinois.edu/prairiefire/segment/pf2007-05-03-a WILL Public Media, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Series Segment Arts/Culture, Illinois Culture/History, Libraries/Museums/Cultural Centers, Livestock/Animals/Zoology, Science/Nature, Champaign, Champaign County, WILL Custom Prairie Fire Subject Headings Orpheum Science Museum by Elif Basar In college I read somewhere that the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum was looking for volunteers, and they were holding a volunteer orientation. I had never heard of this place, and I was not even aware that a children’s museum even existed in Champaign. I had done previous volunteer work with children and science, so I thought this would be a fun opportunity. I went to check out this tiny museum, which I had passed by several times in the past, and hardly noticed. I was pleased when I walked inside. Who knew at the time that what looked like an abandoned area of downtown held such a colorful and promising place? The answer is, not many people. Apparently, I was not the only one who was unaware of it. I volunteered for some of their special events’ weekends, which drew in a modest number of people. I had such a wonderful time explaining different scientific concepts to children, and seeing them engaged and actually interested in what I was saying. Children were really enjoying themselves, not even noticing that they were learning at the same time. I have always felt that places like these are very important for our community to have. Many of the surrounding communities have had established children’s museums for some time, and it is only in the last decade that Champaign has joined them. I wanted more people to be aware of this place, and its importance, so that is can continuously grow and improve as planned. Already this has started, as I observed by the crowd it drew in this January at the event Prairie Fire filmed. Children were all over the place, participating in hands on experiments and demonstrations. Trying to film them in action was a bit of a challenge, since they would run as soon as they noticed the camera. Virginia Steffen still managed to sneak up on them, and get some great shots before they noticed. We had a wonderful time that Saturday shooting this. I really hope more people take notice of this neat little place, and will help to support it. Abstract Magazine PBCore Genre Picklist Is Part Of http://will.illinois.edu/prairiefire/episode/pf2007-05-03 Illinois, Indiana Spatial Intermediate (grades 7-9)|High School (grades 10-12)|Primary (grades 1-6)|College|Post Graduate|General Education|General TV-G Elif Basar Producer WILL-TV, University of Illinois Copyright Holder Publisher © 2009 University of Illinois 2007-05-03T08:14:00-06:00 2007-05-03T08:14:00-06:00 video/x-pn-realvideo http://willmedia.will.uiuc.edu/ramgen/pf2007-05-03-a.rv Moving Image RealSystems Real Media 9 42457 00:08:13 eng pf2007-05-03-a.rv WILL Public Media, University of Illinois 2007-05-03T08:14:00-06:00 2007-05-03T08:14:00-06:00 video/mp4 http://willmedia.atlas.uiuc.edu/mpeg4/pf2007-05-03-a.mp4 Moving Image MPEG video MPEG-4 00:08:13 eng pf2007-05-03-a.mp4 WILL Public Media, University of Illinois 2007-05-03T08:14:00-06:00 2007-05-03T08:14:00-06:00 video/x-flv http://willmedia.atlas.uiuc.edu/flash/pf2007-05-03-a.flv Moving Image Flash Video Flash Media 8 00:08:13 eng pf2007-05-03-a.flv WILL Public Media, University of Illinois