Events and Tours, ChemEd 2011

Events

Mole Run/Walk: Give your brain a break and take a Molicious trek around the beautiful Western Michigan University campus. The Mole Run is a ChemEd tradition where crazy people get up at 6:02 a.m. to run or walk (or crawl) 6.02 km to honor our favorite Father of Chemistry, Amedeo Avogadro. The cost of $12.00 includes t-shirt, prizes, and refreshments. What more could you want? Spectators? No problem! We’ve moved the start time to 6:02 a.m. Central Standard Time (7:02 a.m. in Michigan) to accommodate more run/walkers and to encourage a large cheering section at the finish line. Report time: 6:50 a.m. EST. Race to start promptly at 6:02 a.m. at Eicher/LeFevreResidence Hall. Participants must be registered for the conference Age Groups: 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60 and up. Click here to view course.

Mole Breakfast: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 @ 6:02 a.m. – Bernhard Center; Main Floor, Room 157
Cost: $10.00 per person (primary participants only)
Mole Day celebrators are different when it counts! Monte Mole says, “Vive la difference: flaunt it!” Come join other molers as the National Mole Day Foundation (NMDF) hosts the 8th annual ChemEd breakfast. Listen to the new theme song by Mike Offutt, see who becomes the 10th Mole of the Year, and maybe win one of many door prizes to be given away. Come one, come all, the Mole the Merrier!

 

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Kid’s chemistry camp is open to all school age children of a ChemEd 2011 registered parent.
Children must be pre-registered as space is limited. On-site registration will depend on availability.

REGISTRATION is $10.00, plus a $5.00 materials fee for each session. Registration fee includes a t-shirt and safety goggles (required). A release form must be on file for each child to participate. To download the form, click now. Closed-toe tennis shoes are preferred for lab work. Proper safety will be taught and followed. Some activities will take place outside.

Kid’s Chem Da/Times: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: Morning Sessions: 8:30 – 11:40 a.m.; Afternoon Sessions: 12:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Possible activities may include:

Tours
Please be aware that each tour will need to reach a minimum number of participants in order to cover the cost of
transportation. If you sign up for a tour and it is cancelled, you will be notified and your money refunded. Tour tickets will be included in your participant packet received at Registration/Check-in.

Please read tour descriptions carefully and know what you want to sign up for before beginning the registration process, as there are no descriptions provided within the registration form.

Additional tickets can be ordered through the Accompanying Persons area.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center was voted the number one nature center in the nation by other nature centers. Featuring indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, the Nature Center's Interpretive Center features the award-winning 'Nature Up Close' exhibit hall. Also, visit the state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, three-story tropical rainforest, Bug House and seasonal butterfly and hummingbird garden. The Nature Center covers more than 1,100 acres with an 11-acre arboretum, 11 nature trails filled with wildlife for hiking, and the DeLano pioneer homestead. Golf cart trail tours are available for people with limited mobility. Dress appropriately for outdoor activities with comfortable walking shoes.  Based on participation, a guided program may be provided.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Monday Afternoon: 4 hours
Cost of admission and transportation: $25 per person
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Saugatuck is a harbor village that celebrates diversity - small-town America at its best!  It has been ranked fifth among the top 100 vacation destinations in the Midwest.  Here you can stroll along the boardwalk admiring the boats or explore the dockside shops, picnic in the park or ride a chain-driven ferry across the river.  End your excursion at the corner drug store soda fountain where hand-creamed sodas and malted shakes have been a specialty for 84 years!  If you’re extremely ambitious you can climb the 282 steps to Mt Baldy for spectacular views of Saugatuck and Oval Beach, voted one of the best beaches by Condé Nast. Tour travels to downtown near many shops and eateries: Lunch is on your own.
Monday Afternoon: 4 hours
Cost for transportation: $22.00 per person

The West Michigan Glass Art Center (formerly known as West Michigan Glass Society) was founded in 2002 by a local group of glass artists. Their current membership includes 175 area emerging and professional glass artists, students and friends of glass who love the mysterious process of learning to shape glass to reflect their creativity. They sponsor public events designed to increase the community awareness and exposure to glass art. They also offer glass art classes and workshops to the local community.  Tour includes glasswork demonstration as well as project.  This tour is focused for adults, but older interested children are welcome.
Monday Afternoon: 3 hours
Cost for transportation: $14.00 per person (additional charge may apply depending on project selected)

Grand Valley State University offers tours on the D.J. Angus Research Vessel through the Annis Water Resources Institute.  The 45-foot boat docks out of Grand Haven.  The 2.5-hour tour features hands-on water quality testing of Lake Michigan and other shoreline waters. Participants will actually be doing the tests and collecting the data! The trip is appropriate for school-age children 10 years or older, as parents feel it appropriate, as well as adults.  Children under 10 are not permitted. Please be advised that there is no seating available on the boat, and the tour runs even in a light rain.  All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Following the tour there will be time in downtown Grand Haven to enjoy shopping, lunch, or time at the beach before the return trip to Kalamazoo. 

Grand Haven has much to offer, whether you are looking for some downtown shopping, time at a Lake Michigan Beach, a walk along the Grand River, or great scenery!  Enjoy some time in one of West Michigan’s most popular tourist cities.  Lunch is on your own at one of the many available eateries in the area.  This trip is run in conjunction with the GVSU Research Boat tour, and will share a bus.  Please note that the trip to Grand Haven takes about 1.5 hours.
Tuesday Morning: 7 hours
Cost for transportation: $30.00
More Information about Grand Haven
More Information about D.J. Angus

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA) is both a museum and community art school. Since 1924 their mission has been to cultivate both the creation and appreciation of the visual arts. Each year, 10 to 15 changing exhibitions feature art of many styles and periods. Adults will enjoy the Collection highlights, including American painting, European and American prints and photographs, and pre-Columbian gold.  Tour also includes a hands-on project for children and an interactive gallery for play.  All children must be accompanied by a parent. Please provide the age of your child/children when registering.
Tuesday Morning: 3 hours
Cost for admission, child’s project, and transportation: Children: $22.00; Adults $14.00
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Bell's Brewery, Inc began in 1985with a quest for better beer and a 15-gallon soup kettle. Since then, they've grown into a regional craft brewery that employs over 100 people over an 18 state area. They currently brew over 20 beers for distribution as well as many other small batch beers that are served at their pub in Kalamazoo. Tour will include walking through the main brewery in Comstock; closed toe shoes are required.  This opportunity is unique and not one frequently available to the public!  Following will be a brief trip downtown to their establishment where the Eccentric Cafe offers customers a chance to taste many of their well known beers, as well as small batch brews that are not distributed outside of the pub. Visitors enjoy its warm atmosphere and spacious beer garden and ‘souvenirs’ will be available for purchase.
Tuesday Morning: 4 hours
Cost for transportation: $19.00  (does not cover personal cost of beer consumption!)
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The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary The bird sanctuary as created by W.K. Kellogg in 1927 as a refuge for the Canada Goose, and other migratory birds, and was an important part of Trumpeter Swan restoration efforts in the 1980s. The area remains an important stopover location for migrating birds and waterfowl. The Sanctuary offers 180-acres of diverse wildlife habitats situated on 40-acre Wintergreen Lake. The paved Sanctuary trail runs besides the lake, where it offers a great view of resident waterfowl and runs through the bird of prey and game bird areas. It is an ideal spot for families, classrooms, birders, wildlife photographers, and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can browse and purchase items at the Resource Center and gift shop featuring nature and bird gift items, toys, and books.

W.K. Kellogg Dairy Farm The tradition of combining research and outreach continues today at the Kellogg Farm with a growing focus on sustainable agriculture and ecosystem services. The agricultural lands of KBS include over 1100 acres located at the KBS main site and Lux Arbor Reserve.
Tuesday Afternoon: 4 hours
Cost for admission and transportation: Adults, $24.00; Children, $21.00
More Information about KBS Farm and Dairy
More Information about W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is a beautiful facility featuring indoor and outdoor gardens, sculptures and art in a natural setting.  It also features a children’s garden and Michigan Farm garden.  This local treasure easily offers hours of wonder to browse many of the fantastic exhibits!  The Gardens also has a café available for lunch, or food may be brought along on an individual basis.  More popular for adults, a tram tour is offered as well at an additional cost of $2.00, but may be too lengthy for children. The Lena Meijer Children’s Garden is unique in many ways. It has a delightful assortment of child-friendly sculpture, gorgeous and clever plantings, engrossing interactive activities, helpful PALs (Play and Activity Leaders), and a real wetlands running through the middle. All areas of the garden invite investigation and family fun. All children must be with a parent or guardian.

Wednesday Morning: 5 hours
Cost for admission and transportation: Adults, $32.00; Children (18 and younger), $28.00
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South Haven This one-of-a-kind Michigan Beach town cannot be fully appreciated by reading about it in a brochure.  South Haven has two stretches of beach, both of which are close to shopping and eating.  Tour travels to South Beach, near many shops and eateries for you to enjoy.  Lunch is on your own downtown.  No alcohol is allowed on the beach.
Wednesday Morning: 5 hours
Cost for Transportation: $30.00

Binder Park Zoo is located outside of Battle Creek, Michigan, on 433 acres of natural forests and wetlands. In the past 33 years, the zoo has grown to be one of the leading cultural attractions in the region. Binder Park Zoo was created on the model of an entrepreneurial self-supporting nonprofit organization, and is managed by a zoological society board of directors. There are approximately 600 specimens of over 140 species including one of the largest giraffe herds in the country and 32 rare and exotic animal exhibits plus 19 domestic animal exhibits.
Wednesday Afternoon: 4 hours
Cost for transportation and Admission Ticket: $30.00
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St. Julian Winery
Come enjoy some time at Michigan’s oldest and most awarded winery!  The family-owned winery produces many different varieties of fruity wines based on the produce found in Southwest Michigan.  This trip will feature some time to hear from a wine maker at St. Julian, as well as a tasting of up to 6 wines.  A wonderful, relaxing time at the vineyard!
Wednesday Afternoon: 4 hours
Cost of admission and transportation: Adults, $28.00
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