Science Museum of Long Island’s Blog

He may not have been expected, but we’ve taken him in and figured out his origins.  Who am I talking about?  A new parasite, found on one of the Science Museum’s new goldfish!  

This blogpost was originally going to feature images and information about our two new goldfish tanks, set up by Nursery Teacher and Animal Care Specialist, Natalie Schneider Cheung.  However, in her careful watch for the tanks to reach equilibrium, she discovered a green spot on one of the new goldfish.  The next day, the spot had moved… to another fish!!  Something was off, and we needed to find out the answers.  

Dr. John Loret, SMLI Executive Director and marine biologist, took a look at the problem and declared it a “Parasitic isopod.”  Further research by Christie Schlaner and David Miller clarified the critter’s background even more:  Argulus japonicus.   This species originates from China, but has spread to Europe, North America, Africa, and Australasia due to accidental introduction during ornamental fish trade.  It makes perfect sense that this little animal found his way onto one of our fish, since they can free-float in water for 3-5 days before finding a host.  

Brave Natalie and fellow teacher Jennifer Spina were able to remove the pest with tweezers, and it’s a good thing they did.  Eggs of this species are laid in batches of up to 200 and hatch 2-4 weeks after they are laid. We will keep our eyes open for new hatchlings.

Do you think our classification is correct?  Judge for yourself.  I’ve taken images with my Canon PowerShot, a little tricky on the television screen of our video microscope.  

The first image is to show actual size of the parasite.  (He’s just below the “cm” of the ruler, which is placed under a watery petri dish)

Actual size of parasite: 0.5 cm

The next images were taken on the screen of the video microscope:

Under the video microscope... Argulus japonicus?

Another view of the up close and personal parasite

Compared to the University of California Museum of Paleontology’s classification, this looks like a pretty sure case of fish lice.   Either way, this guy is fascinating to watch.   If you’ve seen one before or have any input, let us know!  And stay tuned.. the fish tank post will be up in the next few weeks.

–Melissa Kipp

The Science Museum is closed today due to inclement weather.  (SMLI closes when Manhasset School District closes.)

The snow continues… and the Science Museum is closed again tomorrow, February 11, 2010.  All nursery and afterschool programs are cancelled.

(The Science Museum of Long Island closes when the Manhasset School District is closed.)

The staff, board and gala committee are in the process of planning our 11th Annual Gala Fundraiser. It will take place Thursday May 13th and the theme is “Casino Night”. Please join us at the Swan Club at 7pm for a great evening of dancing, gambling and dinner. This is the ONLY fundraising event each year. We ask for your support and invite you to come out for a night of fun and socializing with your neighbors while at the same time helping SMLI continue the mission of educating the next generation with a hands-on, interactive approach. You will be receiving your “Save the Date” card in a few weeks. If you are not on our mailing list, please email Ronni Reaves at ronni@smli.org so I may add you. We look forward to seeing you on May 13th. If anyone has a donation for auction or a friend or relative that works for a company willing to donate, please call me at 516-627-9400 ext 11.

Thank you,

Ronni Reaves

Join us for a fun-filled week at SMLI!  During winter recess from February 15-February 19, the science museum will be having its February Holiday Workshops.  Be ready to start your engines on Monday!  You will be building and racing your very own car.  On Tuesday you will learn tricks with magnets, how sound works, see rainbows, and understand electricity.  It will be a “shocking” experience!  Don’t miss out on Crafty Science class Wednesday.  The projects will include tye-dye, rock jewelry, paper-making, Spin Art, and creating a picture frame that you can take home.   Thursday you will be sampling what astronauts eat, making a frozen treat, doing some candy chemistry, eating “dirt”, and building yummy structures.  Who can resist learning about science that you can eat ?  Spring is right around the corner, which means that we will be maple sugaring here at the museum.  On Friday, you will learn how maple syrup is made, listen to stories around the camp fire, and do some taste testing. 

Sign up for the workshops today!  Hope to see you soon!

World of Wines, the third installment of the Science Museum’s new Member Appreciation series, is less than one month away.  We are gearing up for the free event which will be held at the Museum on Friday, February 5th 6:30 - 8:30pm.  All members are welcome to attend this tasting and discussion about wine, from vine to glass.  Three experts will discuss eleven wines, including reds, whites, and sparkling varietals from California, Italy, and Argentina.  Guests will also learn proper pairing choices and enjoy suggested accompaniments. 

The evening will include an informative discussion, tasting, and a chance to mingle with other museum members.  To close out the evening, a wine basket will be raffled to a lucky winner.  Join the Museum staff as we explore wines of the world in the comfort of your favorite Science Museum with local experts.

RSVP and current member status are required to attend the event (limited to the first 50 responses).  Please RSVP by calling Rosemarie: (516) 627-9400 extension 10.  Guests must be 21 or over to attend.

This event is sponsored in part by Bottles Wine & Spirits of Port Washington, NY.

Don’t forget to sign up for the next session of the Kindergarten After School Workshop starting January 4th, 2010.  The after school programs are a great way to engage your child by doing fun, hands-on science activities.  The Kindergarten workshops have included activities such as exploring the outdoors, excavating fossils, interacting with our amazing animals, and creating silly or shocking science experiments.

The new year will bring six new exciting monthly topics!  Starting in January, we will be learning about the five senses.  This topic includes learning how sound works, tricking your taste buds, matching smells, and making your very own optical illusion to take home.  Check our website for the specified dates if you are interested in any of these upcoming topics: Planet Earth, The Final Frontier, Pirates’ Treasure, Junior Gardeners, and Finding Nemo.  Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Register by calling Rosemarie at (516) 627-9400 ext. 10

The Board of Trustees and staff of the Science Museum of Long Island were saddened to hear of the passing of Celia Lo Pinto December 4, 2009.  Celia was a founder of the museum in 1963 and helped shepherd this institution from its humble beginnings from a room in the rear of a bakery in Roslyn to its current home at Leeds Pond Preserve.  The efforts of Celia and others have enabled us to pass on science to thousands of children, of which many are now practicing careers in the medical and physical science.

 Thank you Celia,
John Loret Ph.D. Dsc
Executive

Children home for a week?

Do they need something fun to do?

Sign them up for our holiday workshops going on Monday through Thursday of next week.

Monday is Science Magic.  Learn the mystery behind some of our old favorites like Oobleck and the Glow Wall. Try out new and exciting color changing tricks.  At the end of the day bring some of the magic home with you to amaze your family.

Love animals?  Our Paws and Claws workshop on Tuesday is a perfect one to choose.  A wide variety of animals will be taken out for the children to learn about and touch.  They will meet such favorites as the tree frog, snake, turtle, chinchilla and rabbit as well as a newer addition to our animal family, the sugar glider.

If you can’t wait until summer to enjoy a carnival then come to Carnival Science on Wednesday.  Try your  hand at games that involve hitting targets, rolling balls and aiming at baskets.  Prizes will be awarded to all who play.  Use all the science secrets you will learn the next time you go to a carnival.

Before you ring in the New Year come to the museum Thursday for Rockin’ & Rollin’ Earth.  Learn how crystals form then take your own home to watch them grow.  Make an edible rock that demonstrates how the different types of rocks are formed.  Use the museum’s Smart Board to discover how volcanoes erupt.

All workshops are drop off only and run from 10am to 1pm.  Bring lunch for a 1/2 hour break.

We hope you will join us for a fun and exciting week of holiday workshops.

While the winter is not the optimal, sunny weather for beach walks and nature walks on the preserve, it is a very special time of year overlooking Manhasset Bay.  Especially when the snow has fallen, the property is turned into a magnificent winter wonderland.  There is still much outdoor and indoor activity to be enjoyed at SMLI on Leeds Pond, including a number of indoor scout badges.

We invite scout troops to enjoy a sizeable discount ($75 off the normal fee) if you book a sleepover to be taken in the month of January. You won’t regret it.

Please contact Rosemarie at 516 627 9400 ext 10 for further details.