Science Center in downtown Riverhead starts winter Saturday programs

Family Science Saturdays are a recent offering at the not-for profit Long Island Science Center, which previously opened only on Sundays and during school breaks.

The theme for this first Saturday program was transportation: visitors could build bumper cars, race balloon cars, build skimmer sailing hulls and airplanes out of paper, paper clips, straws and tape. These vehicles teach Newton’s laws of  motion.

The center has been around for over 10 years, first  in Shoreham on the first floor of the high school and now at 11 West Main Street in downtown Riverhead.

According to the center’s website at www.lisciencecenter.org, its goal is to encourage “enthusiasm and excitement for learning” and stimulate “discovery and creativity.”

Interactive exhibits and demonstrations, in-house and at schools, libraries and community centers, are intended to enhance the discovery process for visitors regardless of age or background.

According to center educator Judy Isbitiren, the center has five more educators like her teaching from pre-school to high school levels at the center and off site at schools across Long Island and New York, from Shelter Island to Staten Island.

After this Saturday, the center also will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays,  January 21, 28, February 4, 11 and for winter break when schools are closed. It will be open on Sundays for private parties and boy and for girl scout groups to earn badges.

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