Science Central, the region’s premier gateway for informal science education, has slated the following activities for the month of July:

Now through Sunday, Sept. 8 – “Wild Minds – What Animals Really Think” Traveling Exhibition

Have you ever wondered what your dog was thinking? Visit Science Central to see the latest traveling exhibition, Wild Minds: What Animals Really Think and you’ll get some great insights about what’s going on in Fido’s brain. Wild Minds demonstrates just how bright our friends in the animal kingdom can be. You’ll learn about animals’ cognitive skills long thought to make human beings unique: using tools, solving problems, self-awareness, and the ability to communicate. By using a variety of videos, games and displays, you’ll learn about how animals’ environments have shaped their thinking abilities.

This world-class exhibit was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, and was developed in cooperation with the Columbus Zoo and COSI; Staten Island Zoo and the New York Hall of Science; Portland Zoo and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry; Santa Barbara Zoo and the California Science Center; and Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and Science Central.

Monday, July 8-Friday, July 12 – Science Central Summertime Crime Camp, Ages 5-11

Who poisoned the watershed and caused the fish to die off? Environmental detectives will find the culprit by analyzing “secret documents” assessing changing animal populations, investigating the chemical composition of polluted water, and more.

Dumpster Drummers at Science Central – 1:15 p.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, July 12

Teaching kids about recycling and conservation is the goal when the Dumpster Drummers take center stage in the Lincoln Financial Foundation Demonstration Theater at Science Central on Friday, July 12. Two performances, at 1:15 and 2 p.m., will feature this group of local musicians who make music with recycled trash. The group is sponsored by the Allen County Solid Waste Management District.

Participants wanted for Three Rivers Festival Egg-Stravaganza – Sunday, July 14

No yolk! Sunday, July 14 at Science Central is going to be an Eggs-travaganza! We’ll be debating which came first…the chicken or the egg…as we celebrate a variety of activities dedicated to both!

First, come pay a most eggs-cellent price to get into Science Central. Just one dollar will get you in the door for WAJI’s Majic 95.1 Dollar Day at Science Central. This annual tradition is one of the most eggs-cellent bargains around for Three Rivers Festival fun.

Then, join in the festivities for the Design Collaborative Egg Drop Competition, beginning at 1 p.m. It’ll be a real wing-ding of an event as Quaker Steak and Lube serves up free samples, while supplies last, of some of their favorite food items. While you’re enjoying the food, settle in to watch Design Collaborative’s Egg Drop Competition.

Eggs will fly from the roof of Science Central to the ground below in eggs-treme contraptions specially designed to protect the eggs. It’s anything goes, as contestants prepare flying machines ranging from melons loaded with eggs, to giant pinwheels to convey their egg to the ground. For rules and registration information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

And, to help protect the “good egg” kids who turn out to watch the Egg Drop Competition, the Indiana Wayne Lodge Fraternal Order of Police will be on hand to distribute free bike helmets, provided by the Neuro, Spine and Pain Center, while supplies last. It’ll be a great day of fun, that’s everything it’s cracked up to be!

Teams sought for Festival “Catapult Chaos” Competition – 1 p.m. Thursday, July 18

On Thursday, July 18, Science Central and Fort Wayne Metals will present their annual “Catapult Chaos” competition. Teams can bring their pre-built catapults and trebuchets to Lawton Park, where flour bags will be launched to see whose machine can chuck objects the farthest.

For registration information, and for additional information on building a catapult or trebuchet, visit www.sciencecentral.org. Entry deadline is July 8, 2013.

Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 19 – Science Central Half-Day Camps, Ages 3-5

Little ones can be Science Central Campers, too, with our half-day camps for ages 3-5. Topics this week will include: “Surf’s Up!,” where campers will “travel” to sandy shores as they build sandcastles, investigate seashells and discover the plants and animals that thrive in tidal pools; “Blocks, Beams and Buildings” will have future architects constructing sturdy structures and tall towers; “Rock and Roll Around the World will have the little ones rockin’ and rollin’ as they explore movement games from around the world while learning about muscles and joints; “Terrarium Habitats” will explore the cycle of life in an underground habitat that supports tiny plants, animals and decomposers, and campers will create their own earthworm habitat to take home; and “Foamy, Fizzy Science” wraps up the week, with campers experiencing safe chemistry experiments designed to spark the imagination. For registration information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

Monday, July 15 –Friday, July 19 – Science Central “Game On” Day Camp, Ages 5-11

Who knew science and math could be so much fun! Campers will learn how strength, quickness, balance and hand/eye coordination all contribute to making a great athlete, and exercise their minds with tantalizing games and puzzles. Campers will also participate in the Three Rivers Festival Catapult Chaos festivities in Lawton Park. For registration information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

Monday, July 15 –Friday, July 19 – Science Central “Computer Builder” Day Camp, Ages 10-13

Science Central and A.C.E. Recycling have partnered together to give campers the chance to build their own computer to donate or take home. Campers will build the computer from recycled component parts and install Windows software. For an additional $25 paid at registration, campers may keep their computer; otherwise it will be donated to charity. For registration information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

Monday, July 22 –Friday, July 22 – Science Central Half-Day Camps, Ages 3-5

It’s more fun for the little ones in this week of Science Central half-day camps. Topics this week will include: “Can You Dig It?,” where campers will become junior paleontologists and discover what it was like when dinosaurs roamed the earth; campers will take “A Walk on the Wild Side,” exploring what lives in trees and hunting for animal clues on a trail, while they meet Science Central’s many friendly animals;  “Food and Fun” will teach campers that food doesn’t just come from cans or boxes, as they learn about becoming a farmer, chef and a diner and enjoy tasty treats; “Kaleidoscopes, Rainbows and Shadows” will focus on the properties of light and color using flashlights, mirrors and prisms. Campers will create a kaleidoscope, and separate colors using chromatography; and “Magnetic Magic,” where campers will discover the magic of magnetism by painting, pushing, pulling and levitating cars, all with magnets. For registration information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

Monday, July 22-Friday, July 26 – Science Central “Bubbling Beakers and Foaming Flasks” Day Camp, Ages 5-11

Mad Scientists will mix up a good time in this camp full of crystals, potions and other wizardry. Campers will experiment with the properties of matter and make chemical concoctions they can eat – if they dare!  For registration information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

Monday, July 22 –Friday, July 26– Science Central “Advanced LEGO Robotics” Day Camp, Ages 10-13

Based on the First LEGO League, this camp offers advanced LEGO robotics work, focusing on more sophisticated programming and more complex problem solving. Campers will work in teams as they explore solutions to help senior citizens, by programming their LEGO robots to retrieve medicine bottles, turn on a stove, and more. Campers do not get to keep the robot. For registration information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

Saturday, July 27 – Last Saturday at Science Central

In conjunction with the Downtown Improvement District, Science Central will offer half-price admission on the last Saturday of the month, Saturday, July 27th. Admission will be just $4 all day.

Monday, July 29-Friday, Aug. 2 – Science Central “Trek Through Space” Day Camp, Ages 5-11

Rev up your rockets for this trek through the galaxy. Campers will explore deep space in Science Central’s digital STARLAB  and launch their own rockets. For registration information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

Monday, July 29-Friday, Aug. 2 – Science Central Camp Video Maker, 2 sessions: Ages 8-11 and 10-13

Love videos? Campers will create their own animated video and computer games, constructing characters and stories as they progress from learning the drag-and-drop programming method to writing their own commands. By week’s end, campers will have a program to show to their friends. For registration information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 31 – Fort Wayne Philharmonic String Quintet “Random Act of Music,” 

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic stops by Science Central to present a “Random Act of Music” with a string quintet on 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, in the Lincoln Financial Foundation Demonstration Theater.