Science Central, the region’s premier gateway for informal science education, is hosting the following special activities in January:

With the end of the holiday season, Science Central will begin taking registrations Wednesday, Jan. 1 for spring break camp, scheduled for March 31-April 4. Camp information and sign-up can be found at www.sciencecentral.org.

The final days to see “Electricity!” is Jan. 2-5. Developed by The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, electricity is explored and presented through highly-engaging hands-on displays. One can safely examine such concepts as static electricity and live current; motors, batteries and wires; attraction and repulsion; sparks, charge and discharge; voltage, AC and DC; magnetic fields and magnetic motion; and lights, telegraphs and transmitters.

Half-Pint Science is 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. When pre-schoolers discover polymers there is a world of possibilities. Join the fun as a slimy good time experimenting with the properties of matter, while concocting snowman snot. Cost is $12 for one child and one adult for non-members, and $8 for members; pre-registration is required.

Afternoon Science is 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. Afternoon Science programs are designed to offer homeschool students an opportunity to spend an afternoon together participating in a scientific lab, a demonstration and exploring the exhibits. January’s program will focus on technology, and will feature an “Electrical Extravaganza” demonstration. “Electricity in a Snap” labs will be held for ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 12. “Introduction to the Visible Light Spectrum” will be the focus of the lab for ages 13 to 16; pre-registration is required.

Lunch with an IPFW Scientist is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. This month’s lunch program will provide an overview of the field of dental hygiene, a discussion and experiment regarding tooth decay, and a demonstration of necessary practices and procedures to prevent tooth decay with IPFW Professor of Dental Education Chrissy Stephan. Cost is $10 for Science Central members or $16 for non-members. The fee includes lunch; pre-registration is required.

Just in time for New Year’s resolutions, Science Central will serve up some healthy fare for visitors with its next traveling exhibition, “To MyPlate and Beyond: Adventures in Healthy Eating.” Developed by Purdue University and presented in part by Heritage Food Service Group, Inc., the interactive exhibit illustrates the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s tool, MyPlate, emphasizing the five food groups that are part of a healthy diet: fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy. It is slated to appear at Science Central from Jan. 18 to May 4.

Science Central celebrates scouting from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 19. Admission for Scouts will be half-price, and leaders are admitted free. Activity tables will be set-up throughout Science Central for the Scouts to enjoy. For more information, visit www.sciencecentral.org.

Come celebrate the cold at Winterval from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. In conjunction with the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department and the Downtown Improvement District, Science Central will offer half-price admission as part of “Winterval,” a celebration of winter fun with downtown activities and events. Science Central will have hands-on activities for children from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m., including making “Glacial Gak” and liquid nitrogen ice cream. National Weather Service Meteorologist Sam Lashley will also be on-site to conduct demonstrations in the Lincoln Financial Foundation Demonstration Theater, including “ Minutes with a Meteorologist: Accurately Measuring Rain and Snow” and “Cooking Up Thunderstorms and Tornadoes.”

Admission is $4 for ages 3 to adult; children 2 and under are free. For more information, contact Science Central at (260) 424-2400, or visit www.sciencecentral.org.