Related story: National Science Center to focus on mission
Joley LaMonica braced for a charge.
The third-grader, perched on a stool, placed her right hand carefully on the circular, metal surface of a large Vandergraph generator. And as the energy flowed through her body, Joley's golden blond hair slowly started to stand on end, resembling the outstretched petals of a dying dandelion, much to her classmates' delight.
Her hair returned to normal after she removed her hand and returned to the ground. The demonstration was part of a lesson in static electricity and conductors at The Power Station in the Fort Discovery science center.
The Bay Creek Elementary pupils traveled from Loganville, near Atlanta, to spend Thursday afternoon getting hands-on science experience.
Fort Discovery is a private-public partnership with the Army that is operated by nonprofit group National Science Center Inc. The organization's operations are evolving because of an announcement earlier this month that Fort Discovery's two-story building on the riverfront is up for sale. No deadline has been set for that sale, and operations continue normally for now.
The eventual closing of the museum center means parents and teachers won't have a physical facility to use for family outings or field trips. That change saddens some of the center's regular visitors.
"I really hate to see Fort Discovery close. Augusta is losing one of its most valuable assets for the community and especially for the educational community," said Debra Ryan, an administrative assistant for St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School, who used to take her three boys to the center and also has made trips with the school. "I hope that a way to keep Fort Discovery open and thriving can be found."
Stacey Mabray, science curriculum coordinator for Richmond County Public Schools, is more direct.
"The National Science Center ... is truly a gem for the science teachers of Richmond County," she wrote in an e-mail last week. "Not only does it provide a place for classroom field trips to discover and uncover the mysteries of the physical sciences, it has served as a curriculum anchor for our district's science and math competitions.
Rob Dennis, the president and CEO of National Science Center Inc., emphasized that the organization still will be committed to its goal of teaching students science using hands-on methods. Mobile labs housed in 18-wheelers will be available for schools, and summer programs and distance-learning options still can be used.
"We're retooling, and it will be incremental. There are a bunch of external factors," Mr. Dennis said.
Other regional science centers include Atlanta's Fernbank Science Center, the Coca-Cola Space Science Center in Columbus, Ga., and the EdVenture Children's Museum in Columbia.
It's not uncommon for students to travel to the center from throughout the region.
Fort Discovery serves home-school pupils, preschoolers, and private and public schoolchildren.
"It's truly a learning experience for them," said Carla McClatty, center director for South Richmond Head Start, which sends youngsters about once a year to Fort Discovery. "Kids get fascinated by seeing how things work."
Bay Creek pupils said the presentations were more exciting than classroom lessons.
"It's a good educational way to have fun," fifth-grader Jonathan Bailey said.
The lessons didn't seem like work, his classmate Vashon Cooper added.
"I think it was pretty informative to younger kids who didn't know about electricity," Vashon said. "It was fun."
Fort Discovery also partners with schools for ventures such as Richmond County Schools' Young Scientist Project Fair. That endeavor allowed students to compete countywide instead of just on a school basis, said Louis Svehla, the school district's public information officer.
"They have always been more than willing to participate and jump in and help to do what is necessary to educate all of our students," he said.
Micki Carr, who teaches her 8-year-old daughter, Sara, from home, said she worries about access because her daughter doesn't attend a traditional school. She said she will be OK with the building's closing as long as the center's mission continues.
Fort Discovery officials have not yet decided what they will do with exhibits.
"I do hope they find a way to use these exhibits in one location so kids and schools can still have access to everything they have to offer downtown," Mrs. Carr said. "It's not the location. It's what it is. It would be sad if these exhibits get put into storage somewhere."
Reach Erin Zureick at (706) 823-3217 or erin.zureick@augustachronicle.com.
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The National Science Center & Ft Discovery are great assets for Augusta, Georgia & the Nation - too bad our city leaders drugged their feet in completing the Trade & Exhibit Center - with only 20% built it could not accommodate the larger meetings which would have drawn more attendance and dollars to Ft Discovery - Augusta needs to support this mission wherever it is located -- however, it will never be able to draw the attendance it would have received from being part of a critical mass of tourists as it would have as part of a properly orchestrated downtown venue.
Anger and tears"...these were words used by Mike Ryan when describing "some" citizens attitudes when talk of renaming the theJudicial Center another politicians name.........just where is the Anger and Disgust at the closing of the Fort Discovery? Now if you are a young person in this town there are many social buildings for you to discus your babys momma or daddy and how to feed them and clothe them (You know that whole villege crap)..if you are a criminal there are many places for you to follow your cosen path........but if you are not an "at risk" kid and happen to love science and math but are also challenged somewhat inthe pocketbook..what about you? So sorry kid you are not in the equation for this "Sad Little City who simply cannot."