The holiday season has arrived at the Center for Earth & Space Science Education at Tyler Junior College.
Center hours are 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays. The center will only be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days.
Dome shows with a holiday theme will be presented Tuesdays-Saturdays through Dec. 29, including:
• “Mystery of the Christmas Star” (1 p.m.) – Journey back more than 2000 years to Bethlehem for scientific explanation for the star the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus.
• “Season of Light” (2 p.m.) – This show recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice – not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. It also takes a look at some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions: from gift giving and kissing under the mistletoe to the custom of decking the halls with greenery and candles. Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus all drop by as well.
• “Laser Holidays” (3 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, Dec. 11-21) -- This popular program features a mix of everyone's favorite holiday music set to fantastic laser artwork.
• “Let It Snow” (3 p.m. Saturdays) – The 30-minute show features a variety of high-resolution scenery and artistic animation, enhanced with real-time and lighting effects for added variety and drama.
The TJC science center is located at 1411 E. Lake St. Tickets are $5 for children, seniors and students and $7 for adults. Day passes are also available which allow visitors to see all of that day’s shows plus the current exhibit, “Sportsology.” Parking is free.
Theater seating is limited, and it is recommended that tickets are purchased in advance at the front counter or online.
For the full schedule of shows, or to purchase tickets, go to sciencecenter.tjc.edu.
‘Winter Wonder Lab’ set Dec. 26-28
“Winter Wonder Lab,” a fun and educational winter break camp experience for kids, will be offered 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 26-28.
In the sessions, campers will explore the solar system and planets as well as the night sky and constellations. They will discover the science behind the changing seasons and learn everything they need to know to go star-gazing over the holiday season.
Cost is $50 per child for individual days or $130 per child for all three days. Registration is required by Wednesday, Dec. 19. Register in person at the science center or by calling 903-510-2312.